[OSM-talk] New feature proposal page: man_made=wastewater_plant

[Robert T Wyatt]

Ulf Lamping wrote:
> Robert T Wyatt wrote:
>> Ulf Lamping wrote:
> A better proposal might be:
> 
> landuse=industrial
> type=wastewater_plant (or simply type=water_treatment_plant? Which then 
> could serve for both waste and fresh water and even combined plants)

This would certainly be suitable for any kind of navigational
software. I tend to think of OSM as one of the most promising Web2.0
projects and think that, with sufficient participation, data could be
extracted for other purposes, such as watershed assessments (but I'm
not trying to put any GIS folks out of business). If this ever came to
pass, distinguishing the two could be useful. It's also possible, and
maybe best, that distinguishing the two be done at a later date.

> A camper needs access to such supply points, while treatment plants will 
> often even not be accessible.

Absolutely. The two are different and should perhaps be discussed
separately (didn't mean to hijack this thread).

>> For instance, a camper needs to know where fresh water is available as
>> well as knowing where to dump grey or black water--and these are quite
>> separate services which are not always provided in close proximity to
>> one another (a person in the backcountry doesn't need to waste effort
>> going to the wrong station for a necessary service).
>>   
> As a none native speaker: what is grey and black water (dict.leo.org 
> doesn't know it)?
> 
> Regards, ULFL

Essentially, black water contains raw sewage and MUST be treated
before being released to the environment whereas grey water (from
laundry or showering, for example) could be reused without treatment
for certain applications (such as irrigation). Certainly the
distinction between potable and nonpotable water is important, but
perhaps not the difference between black and grey water. My suggestion
(and, again, maybe I should clearly separate this idea from your
proposal) would be along the lines of Man_made:potable_water,
man_made:nonpotable_water (dumping station?).

[OT] Here is more info on grey water:
http://www.americanrvrentals.com/dumpsites.htm
http://www.newrver.com/holdingtank.html
http://www.greywater.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greywater
http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/Greywater.html

Best,
Robert