Which of the following best defines wastewater?

The definition of wastewater is best captured by the description of it as a flow of water and water-carried solids to a treatment facility. This definition encompasses the various components that make up wastewater, which includes not only liquid effluents but also any organic or inorganic solids that are suspended in the water. Wastewater typically originates from residential, commercial, and industrial sources, containing pollutants that must be treated before it can be safely returned to the environment or reused.

Other options, while related to water treatment and management, do not accurately define what wastewater is. The first option refers to the process of cleaning water for drinking, which is more about water purification rather than the nature of wastewater itself. The third option mentions a method of waste disposal, which is too broad and does not specifically address the water context. The last option describes treated water rather than wastewater, as it suggests that the water has already undergone filtration and purification processes.