下水道(げすいどう)

げすいどう
noun
sewer; sewerage system
1. sewer; sewerage system; drainage system
The underground system of pipes and facilities that collects and transports wastewater and rainwater away from buildings and streets.
この地域(ちいき)は下水道(げすいどう)が整備(せいび)されている。
This area has a well-developed sewerage system.
下水道(げすいどう)の工事(こうじ)で道路(どうろ)が通(とお)れない。
The road is blocked due to sewer construction.
大雨(おおあめ)で下水道(げすいどう)があふれた。
The sewer overflowed due to heavy rain.

下水道(げすいどう) refers to the underground pipe system that collects and transports wastewater and rainwater. It refers specifically to the infrastructure, not the water itself.

COMPOSITION:
下水(げすい) (sewage, drainage) + 道(どう) (way, channel).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 下水道(げすいどう)の工事(こうじ): sewer construction
  • 下水道(げすいどう)を整備(せいび)する: to develop a sewerage system
  • 下水道(げすいどう)があふれる: the sewer overflows
  • 下水道(げすいどう)処理場(しょりじょう): sewage treatment plant

CONTRAST:

  • 下水道(げすいどう): sewerage system (the infrastructure)
  • 下水(げすい): sewage, drainage water (the water itself)
  • 上水道(じょうすいどう): water supply system (clean water, opposite)

NOTE:
下水道(げすいどう)普及率(ふきゅうりつ) (sewerage coverage rate) varies significantly between urban and rural areas in Japan.

general
Added 2026.2.3 11:58 · Revised 2026.3.25 18:40
09500/09632_gesuidou