Glossary of Water and Wastewater Terms

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5 random terms from our glossary

floc

Particles that clump together to form a cluster because of the actions of bacteria (biological floc) or coagulants (chemical floc).

anoxic denitrification (dee-NYE-truh-fuh-KAY-shun)

A biological nitrogen removal process in which nitrate nitrogen is converted by microorganisms to nitrogen gas in the absence of dissolved oxygen (DO).

amplitude

The maximum strength of an alternating current during its cycle, as distinguished from the mean or effective strength.

drain tile system

A system of tile pipes buried under agricultural fields that collect percolated waters and keep the groundwater table below the ground surface to prevent ponding.

inorganic

Describes chemical substances of mineral origin such as sand, salt, or carbon dioxide (CO₂). Also see organic.