下水道(げすいどう)

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.

Etymology

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

Similar words

• 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)

Usage

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.