What constitutes a Collection System?

A collection system is fundamentally designed for the purpose of transporting wastewater from various sources to a treatment facility. This includes a complex network of pipes, manholes, and other structures that efficiently gather and facilitate the flow of sewage and wastewater. The components are engineered to manage the wastewater effectively, ensuring that it is transported safely and reliably without causing environmental contamination or public health risks.

In contrast, a network of treatment plants refers to the facilities where wastewater is processed and does not encompass the entire transport system. A group of storm drains serves a different purpose, primarily handling rainwater runoff and often does not deal with wastewater. Detention ponds are structures used to manage surface runoff, especially during heavy rainfall, but they do not function as a means of transporting wastewater through a network. Thus, the choice highlighting the network of pipes and structures for wastewater transport accurately identifies what constitutes a collection system.