For public health reasons, the sanitary drainage system must discharge to what?

The sanitary drainage system is designed to transport and discharge wastewater safely and efficiently to protect public health and the environment. Discharging to a public sewer system is essential for several reasons.

Firstly, public sewer systems are designed to handle and treat sewage and wastewater effectively, minimizing the risks of contamination and disease transmission that can arise from improperly managed waste. By directing the effluent to a public sewer, it undergoes treatment at a facility specifically equipped to manage and process sewage, adhering to health and safety regulations.

Secondly, public sewer systems typically have the infrastructure and technology in place to manage large volumes of wastewater from multiple sources, which is critical in urban environments where high populations can generate substantial waste. This central management reduces the risk of overflows or leaks that can occur when individual systems, such as septic tanks, are used without proper oversight and maintenance.

While other options like waterways or septic tanks may play roles in waste management, they do not offer the same level of treatment and safety assurances provided by public sewer systems. Public storm drainage is not appropriate for sanitary waste, as stormwater systems are intended for rainwater and surface runoff, not sewage.