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
overdraft
The pumping of water from a groundwater basin or aquifer in excess of the supply flowing into the basin. This pumping results in a depletion or mining of the groundwater in the basin.
circuit
The complete path of an electric current, including the generating apparatus or other source; or, a specific segment or section of the complete path.
micron(µm) (MY-kron)
A unit of length. One millionth of a meter or 1 thousandth of a millimeter. One micron equals 0.00004 of an inch. A typical bacterium cell diameter ranges from 1 to 10 µm. Also called micrometer.
grit tank
A structure located at the inlet to a treatment plant for the accumulation and removal of grit.
cementation
(1) A spontaneous, electrochemical process that involves the reduction of a more electropositive (noble) species, for example, copper, silver, mercury, or cadmium, by electronegative (sacrificial) metals, such as iron, zinc, or aluminum. This process is used to purify spent electrolytic solutions and for the treatment of wastewaters, leachates, and sludges bearing heavy metals. Also called electrolytic recovery. (2) The process of heating 2 substances that are placed in contact with each other for the purpose of bringing about some change in 1 of them, such as changing iron to steel by surrounding it with charcoal and then heating it.