What is defined as water that contains waste from homes or industry?

The correct answer is wastewater because it specifically refers to water that has been used and contains various types of waste, including both human waste from households and industrial by-products. Wastewater can originate from domestic activities, such as bathing, cooking, and toilet use, as well as from industrial processes that involve water. After use, this water becomes contaminated and typically requires treatment before it can be safely released back into the environment or reused.

Potable water, on the other hand, is water that is safe for drinking and does not contain harmful contaminants. Surface water includes water found in rivers, lakes, and streams that is exposed to the atmosphere, while groundwater refers to water located beneath the Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and fractures. Neither surface water nor groundwater is defined by containing waste, which distinguishes wastewater clearly as the term specifically associated with water contaminated by waste.