Glossary of Water and Wastewater Terms

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5 random terms from our glossary

soil stabilization

Injection of chemical grouts into saturated or otherwise unstable soil. The process seals out water and prevents further instability.

NTU

See turbidity units.

refractory materials (re-FRACK-toe-ree)

Materials difficult to remove entirely from wastewater, such as nutrients, color, taste- and odor-producing substances, and some toxic materials.

lipophilic (lie-puh-FILL-ick)

Having a strong affinity for fats. Compounds that dissolve in fats, oils, and greases.

algae (AL-jee)

Plantlike organisms containing chlorophyll that live suspended in water or attached to submerged surfaces, producing oxygen during sunlight hours and using oxygen during night hours. Their biological activities affect the pH, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen (DO) of water.