What does it mean word for word?
The term aguas residuales is composed of aguas (waters) and residuales (residual/leftover).
Which one should you use?
Aguas residuales is the standard technical term for wastewater in general, whereas agua residual is a concise, formal term used to refer to a specific volume or type of wastewater. For more descriptive or colloquial contexts, especially when referring specifically to sewage or highly contaminated water, the term aguas negras is often used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Aguas residuales and agua residual are formal terms used in environmental science, engineering and official government documentation. Aguas negras is a more colloquial or descriptive synonym.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term aguas fecales is used to refer specifically to sewage water.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the plural aguas residuales is the standard technical term for wastewater, the singular agua residual can be used to refer to a specific volume or type of wastewater.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌaɡwas resiˈdwales/
Did you know?
- If you are talking about water that has been used in a house, such as from a shower or sink, people might simply call it aguas servidas instead of using the formal aguas residuales.
- While aguas residuales is the technical term, Spanish speakers often use aguas negras (black waters) to describe sewage. This color-coding system helps distinguish it from aguas grises (grey waters), which refers to waste from sinks and showers.
- In some Latin American countries, you might hear cloacas used not just for the sewers themselves, but as a shorthand to describe the waste flowing through them.
Examples in context
- El tratamiento de las aguas residuales es fundamental para la preservación del medio ambiente.The treatment of wastewater is fundamental for the preservation of the environment.
- Las aguas residuales contaminan el río.The wastewater contaminates the river.
- Debemos procesar las aguas residuales de la fábrica.We must process the wastewater from the factory.
- El sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales es nuevo.The wastewater treatment system is new.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new environmental regulation at a plant.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿sabes algo sobre el nuevo plan para las aguas residuales?Sofía, do you know anything about the new plan for the wastewater?
- SofíaSí, Alejandro, es para reducir el impacto ambiental.Yes, Alejandro, it is to reduce the environmental impact.
- AlejandroEspero que el proceso sea más eficiente.I hope the process is more efficient.
- SofíaSeguramente lo será, según los informes.It surely will be, according to the reports.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aguas residuales, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
