Glossary of Water and Wastewater Terms

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5 random terms from our glossary

plankton

Small, usually microscopic, plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) in aquatic systems.

drawdown

1. The drop in the water table or level of water in the ground when water is being pumped from a well or the drop in the water level of a tank or reservoir.
2. The amount of water used from a tank or reservoir.

sewer cleanout

A capped opening in a sewer main that allows access to the pipes for rodding and cleaning. Usually such cleanouts are located at terminal pipe ends or beyond terminal manholes. An earlier version rarely in use today was called a flusher branch.

aeration liquor (air-a-shun)

The contents of the aeration tank, including living organisms and material carried into the tank by either untreated wastewater or primary effluent. Also see mixed liquor.

acidification (uh-SID-uh-fuh-KAY-shun)

The addition of an acid (usually nitric or sulfuric) to a sample to lower the pH below 2.0. The purpose of acidification is to fix a sample so it will not change until it is analyzed.