What type of sewer typically excludes groundwater?

A sanitary sewer is designed specifically to transport wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens, and other sources of sewage while excluding groundwater. The primary purpose of a sanitary sewer system is to manage household and industrial waste, ensuring that it is effectively carried away for treatment and disposal. By maintaining a separate system for stormwater and combining only domestic wastewater, sanitary sewers help to prevent the influx of excess water that could potentially overwhelm treatment systems and lead to environmental contamination.

In contrast, combined sewers are designed to carry both sewage and stormwater, which can result in issues during heavy rainfall when systems can be overwhelmed. Storm sewers exclusively handle rainfall runoff, while drainage sewers focus on removing excess groundwater or surface water. By knowing these distinctions, it's clear how sanitary sewers play a critical role in managing waste without the inclusion of groundwater.