blackwater

American  

[blak-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈblækˌwɔ tər, -ˈwɒt ər /

noun

Pathology.

1. any of several human or animal diseases characterized by the production of dark urine as a result of the rapid breakdown of red blood cells.

2. blackwater fever.

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blackwater Scientific  

/ blăk′wô′tər /

1. Wastewater containing bodily or other biological wastes, as from toilets, dishwashers, or kitchen drains.

2. Compare graywater

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Etymology

Origin of blackwater

First recorded in 1790–1800; black + water

Example Sentences

In a recent study published in Nature Geoscience, the researchers turned their attention to two blackwater lakes stained dark by plant material: Africa's largest blackwater lake, Lac Mai Ndombe, and the smaller Lac Tumba.

From Science Daily • Feb. 24, 2026

Dumping wastewater from toilets - so-called "blackwater" - increased from 126 incidents to 2023 to 207 last year.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

The disease can produce severe maternal anemia, iron deficiency, or it can spread to the kidneys and the lungs and cause a condition known as blackwater fever.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2024

The campus has an on-site blackwater treatment center to recycle water so that it can be used for irrigation and the building’s toilets.

From Washington Post • Jul. 14, 2022

One later letter begged for financial assistance to tide him over the coming months; for his wife and children had been ill and he himself in hospital at Korogwe with blackwater fever for two months.

From Sketches of the East Africa Campaign by Dolbey, Robert Valentine