Simply put, wastewater is defined as water that has been used in a home or business or as part of an industrial process.

And since “waste” is part of the word, you can only imagine what that means it could include. It includes soap, urine and other things related to our bodily functions.

But for some scientists, the process doesn’t end there. It’s actually a starting point for a deeper dive into our general health and what members of a community eat, drink, etc.

The work could be a little messy, but the conclusions may improve public health.

Professor Rolf Halden is director of ASU’s Center for Environmental Security, and he spends a lot of time learning about sewage.