ETYM Latin effluens, -entis, p. pr. of effluere to flow out; ex + fluere to flow: cf. French effluent. Related to Fluent.
That is flowing outward; SYN. outflowing.

Liquid discharge of waste from an industrial process, usually into rivers or the sea. Effluent is often toxic but is difficult to control and hard to trace.
In some cases, as at Minamata, effluent can be lethal but usually its toxic effects remain unclear, because it quickly dilutes in the aquatic ecosystem.
Water mixed with waste matter; SYN. wastewater, sewer water.
Flowing out or away