Glossary of Water and Wastewater Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z5 random terms from our glossary
filamentous organisms (fill-uh-MEN-tuss)
Organisms that grow in a thread or filamentous form. Common types are Nocardia, Thiothrix, and Actinomycetes.
slaked lime
See hydrated lime.
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.
redox reaction (REE-docks)
A two-part reaction between two ions involving a transfer of electrons from one ion to the other. Oxidation is the loss of electrons by one ion, and reduction is the acceptance of electrons by the other ion. Reduction refers to the lowering of the oxidation state/oxidation number of the ion accepting the electrons. In a redox reaction, the ion that gives up the electrons (that is oxidized) is called the reductant because it causes a reduction in the oxidation state or number of the ion that accepts the transferred electrons. The ion that receives the electrons (that is reduced) is called the oxidant because it causes oxidation of the other ion. Oxidation and reduction always occur simultaneously.
transmissivity (TRANS-miss-SIV-it-tee)
A measure of the ability to transmit (as in the ability of an aquifer to transmit water).
