Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| eaux usées | /o y.ze/ | feminine, plural |
| eaux vannes | feminine, plural |
The term eaux usées is the standard way to refer to wastewater in technical, environmental and administrative contexts, such as discussions about water treatment. It acts as a general term covering all types of wastewater, including both industrial and domestic water.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, eaux usées translates to "used waters". The word usées is the past participle of the verb user, meaning to use or to wear out.
Which one should you use?
While eaux usées is the general term for all wastewater, you may encounter les eaux de rejet in specific technical or scientific contexts to refer to wastewater.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the alternative term les eaux usagées is used instead of les eaux usées.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the noun eaux is feminine plural, the adjective usées must also take the feminine plural ending -ées.
How do you pronounce it?
/o y.ze/
Did you know?
- In French, the term eaux grises is used specifically for wastewater from showers and sinks, creating a distinct linguistic category from toilet waste.
- The French language treats water as a countable plural eaux when referring to different types or sources of water, unlike the uncountable 'water' in English.
- The word usées is derived from user, which in French focuses on the idea of something being physically worn out or exhausted.
Examples in context
- Les eaux usées doivent être traitées avant d'être rejetées dans l'environnement.Wastewater must be treated before being released into the environment.
- Il faut traiter les eaux usées.We must treat the wastewater.
- L'usine rejette des eaux usées dans la rivière.The factory discharges wastewater into the river.
- Ces eaux usées sont très polluantes.This wastewater is very polluting.
Example conversation
Two engineers are discussing a local environmental issue.
- ChloéLucas, as-tu vu le rapport sur les eaux usées ?Lucas, have you seen the report on the wastewater?
- LucasOui, Chloé, les niveaux de pollution sont élevés.Yes, Chloé, the pollution levels are high.
- ChloéLa ville doit améliorer son système de traitement.The city must improve its treatment system.
- LucasJe suis d'accord avec toi.I agree with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wastewater” translations and entries eaux usées, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
