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Global dilution factors for domestic wastewater in rivers

Publisher
Environmental Information Data Centre
Updated
30 July 2026
Topic
Not set
Licence
Not set

Summary

[THIS DATASET HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN]. The dataset captures the temporal and spatial variability of dilution factors (DFs) around the world using geographically referenced data sets at 0.5 degree resolution and includes long term annual and monthly DFs grids. The dilution factor (DF) dataset is composed of 13 rasters: 1 annual and 12 monthly. DFs are a critical component in estimating concentrations of 'down-the-drain' chemicals which enter freshwaters following consumer use via the domestic waste water stream (e.g., pharmaceuticals, household cleaning products). The DF is defined as the ratio between flow and total domestic wastewater effluent generated within a catchment. The methodology was specifically developed to be applied across the world even within those countries where river flow data and/or wastewater effluent data is scarce. The present dataset has potential for a wide international community (including decision makers and pharmaceutical companies) to assess relative exposure to 'down-the-drain' chemicals released by human pollution in rivers and, thus, target areas of potentially high risk. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/42044391-a041-4884-bed7-67f67490224f

Data links

Link Format Preview Updated
Supporting Information ZIP – 30/7/2026

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Additional information

Source Metadata
XML, HTML
Date added
24 July 2026
Harvest GUID
42044391-a041-4884-bed7-67f67490224f
Extent (Latitude)
90° to -90°
Extent (Longitude)
-180° to 180°
Dataset reference date (publication)
2014-07-11
Dataset reference date (creation)
2013-12-31
Frequency of update
notPlanned
Access constraints
Dilution factor values along the coastlines must be handled with care due to higher uncertainty in accounting for population discharging to sea rather than rivers.
Responsible party
(author, pointOfContact, publisher, custodian)
ISO 19139 resource type
dataset
Metadata language
eng

Contact

Enquiries

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