COMPLETENESS
Unless sludge removal data are available, the methodology for estimating emissions from effluent is based on population and on the assumption that all nitrogen associated with consumption and domestic use, as well as nitrogen from co-discharged industrial wastewater, will eventually enter a waterway. As such, this estimate can be seen as conservative estimate and covers the entire source associated with domestic wastewater use.
The methodology does not include N2O emissions from industrial sources, except for industrial wastewater that is co-discharged with domestic wastewater into the sewer system. The N2O emissions from industrial sources are believed to be insignificant compared to emissions from domestic wastewater.
Very few countries collect data on wastewater sludge handling. If these data exist, it is suggested to make them available to the appropriate inventory teams.
The emission factor used for N2O emissions from effluent is the same as the emission factor used for indirect N2O emissions in the AFOLU Sector.