Glossary of Water and Wastewater Terms

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5 random terms from our glossary

wire-to-water efficiency

The combined efficiency of a pump and motor together. Also called the overall efficiency.

regulatory negotiation

A process whereby the US Environmental Protection Agency acts on an equal basis with outside parties to reach consensus on the content of a proposed rule. If the group reaches consensus, the US EPA commits to propose the rule with the agreed upon content.

imported backfill

Material used for backfilling a trench or excavation that was not the original material removed during excavation. This is a common practice where tests on the original material show it to have poor compactability or load capacity. Also called borrow backfill.

dialysis (dye-AL-uh-sis)

The selective separation of dissolved or colloidal solids on the basis of molecular size by diffusion through a semipermeable membrane.

porcupine

A type of wastewater collection system cleaning tool the same diameter as the pipe being cleaned, used with a mechanical rodder. Its function is to scour lines of light buildup. The tool is a steel cylinder having solid ends with eyes cast in them to which a cable can be attached and pulled by a winch. Many short pieces of cable or bristles protrude from the cylinder to form a round brush.