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
true color
Color of the water from which turbidity has been removed.
standard methods
STANDARD METHODS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER, 21st Edition. A joint publication of the American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) that outlines the accepted laboratory procedures used to analyze the impurities in water and wastewater. Available from: American Water Works Association at awwa.org or phone (800) 926-7337. Also available from Water Environment Federation at wef.org or phone (800) 666-0206.
zoogleal mat (ZOE-uh-glee-al)
A complex population of organisms that form a slime growth on the sand filter media and break down the organic matter in wastewater. These slimes consist of living organisms feeding on the wastes in wastewater, dead organisms, silt, and other debris. On a properly loaded and operating sand filter, these mats are so thin as to be invisible to the naked eye. Slime growth is a more common term. Also see biomass.
offset trough
(1) When the pipe feeding into a manhole does not exactly match up with the pipe leading out of the manhole, the invert channel must be angled or curved. This is referred to as an offset trough. (2) See offset invert.swab
A circular, cleaning tool almost the same diameter as the pipe being cleaned. As a final cleaning procedure after a wastewater collection line has been cleaned with a porcupine, a swab is pulled through the pipe and the flushing action of water flowing around the tool cleans the line.
