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Drinking Water Technical & Legal Terms

Long Name: 
Drinking Water Glossary: A Dictionary of Technical and Legal Terms Related to Drinking Water
Description: 
A dictionary of technical and legal terms related to drinking water.
Publishing Organization: 
Office of Water/Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
Last Update: 
February 17, 2009
 

Terms & Acronyms


Contains Begins Exact Match

Results per page:
Term
Absorbed Dose
Absorption
Absorption Factor
Acceptable Daily Intake
Accuracy
Acid Mine Drainage
Acid Rain
Acidic
Acidified
Acre-Foot
Action Level
Activated Carbon
Active Transport
Acute
Acute Exposure
Acute Toxicity
Additive Effect
Adsorbate
Adsorbent
Adsorption
Aeration
Aerobic
Age Tank
Aggregate
Agrochemical
Air Binding
Air Gap
Air Padding
Air Stripping
Alarm Contact
Algae
Algal Bloom
Algicide
Aliphatic Hydroxy Acids
Aliquot
Alkali
Alkaline
Alkalinity
Alluvial
Alternating Current
Ambient
Ambient Temperature
Ammonium
Amperage
Ampere
Amperometric
Amperometric Titration
Anaerobic
Analog
Analyzer
Animal Studies
Anion
Anionic Polymer
Annular Space
Anode
Antagonism
Appropriative
Appurtenance
Aquatic
Aqueous
Aquifer
Artesian Aquifer
Artesian Well
Aseptic
Assay
Association of Boards of Certification
Asymmetric
Atom
Available Chlorine
Available Expansion
Axial to Impeller
Axis of Impeller
Back Pressure
Backflow
Background Level
Backsiphonage
Backwashing
Bacteria
Baffle
Bailer
Base Metal
Batch Process
Best Available Technology
Best Management Practices
Bias
Bioaccumulation
Bioassay
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Bioconcentration
Biodegradation
Biological Growth
Bioremediation
Biotransformation
Black Water
Blank
Body Weight
Bogs
Bonnet
Brackish
Brake Horsepower
Breakpoint Chlorination
Breakthrough
Brinelling
Buffer
Buffer Capacity
Buffer Strips
C Factor
Caisson
Calcium Carbonate Equivalent
Calibration
Cancer
Capillary Action
Capillary Forces
Capillary Fringe
Capital Costs
Carcinogen
Carcinogen Assessment Group
Carcinogenic
CAS Registration Number
Catalyst
Catalyze
Catalyzed
Cathode
Cathodic Protection
Cation
Cationic Polymer
Cavitation
Central Nervous System
Centrate
Centrifugal Pump
Centrifuge
Check Valve
Chelation
Chemical Oxygen Demand
Chisel Plowing
Chloramines
Chlorination
Chlorinator
Chlorine-Contact Chamber
Chlorine Demand
Chlorine Requirement
Chlorophenolic
Chlorophenoxy
Chlororganic
Chronic
Chronic Exposure
Circle of Influence
Circuit
Circuit Breaker
Cistern
Clarifier
Class (pipe and fittings)
Clay
Clay Soil
Clear Well
Clinical Studies
Coagulant Aid
Coagulants
Coagulation
Cohesion
Coliform
Coliform Organism
Colloids
Colorimetric Measurement
Combined Available Residual Chlorine
Combined Residual Chlorination
Combined Sewer
Community Water System
Complete Treatment
Compliance Cycle
Compliance Period
Composite Samples
Composting
Compound
Concentration Polarization
Conductance
Conductivity
Conductor
Cone of Depression
Cone of Influence
Confined Aquifer
Confluent Growth
Confounding Factors
Consumptive Use
Contactor
Contaminant
Contamination
Continuous Sample
Contour Farming
Contour Strip Farming
Control Loop
Control System
Controller
Conventional Filtration
Conventional Filtration Treatment
Conventional Tillage
Conventional Treatment
Conveyance Loss
Corporation Cock
Corporation Stop
Corrosion
Corrosion Inhibitor
Corrosivity
Cost/Benefit
Cost Sharing
Coulomb
Coupon
Cover Crop
Crop Rotation
Cross Connection
CT
CT Calc
CT Calculations
CTcalc
Cumulative Exposure
Curb Cock
Curb Stop
Curie
Current
Dateometer
Day Tank
Dead End
Decant
Dechlorination
Decibel
Decomposition
Defluoridation
Degasification
Degradation
Demineralization
Denitrification
Density
Dermal Exposure
Desalinization
Desiccant
Desiccation
Desiccator
Destratification
Detention Lag
Detention Time
Dew Point
Dewater
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth Filtration
Diffusion
Digital Readout
Dilute Solution
Dimictic
Direct Current
Direct Filtration
Direct Runoff
Discharge Head
Disinfectant
Disinfectant Contact Time
Disinfection
Disinfection By-Product
Dissolved Oxygen
Distillate
Divalent
Diversion
Domestic Plumbing Problem
Dosage
Dose
Dose Equivalent
Dose-Response
Dose-Response Curve
Dose-Response Evaluation
Dose-Response Relationship
Downgradient
DPD
Draft
Drainage
Drainage Basin
Drawdown
Drinking Water Equivalent Level
DROOP
Dynamic Pressure
Eductor
Effective Corrosion Inhibitor Residual
Effective Range
Effective Size
Effluent
Ejector
Electrochemical Reaction
Electrochemical Series
Electrolysis
Electrolyte
Electrolytic Cell
Electromotive Force
Electromotive Series
Electron
Element
End Bells
End Point
Endangerment Assessment
Endemic
Endrin
Energy Grade Line
Enteric
Entrain
Enzymes
Epidemic
Epidemiologic Study
Epidemiology
Epilimnion
Erosion
Ester
Eutrophic
Eutrophication
Evaporation
Evapotranspiration
Exemption
Exposure
Exposure Assessment
Exposure Coefficient
Exposure Level (chemical)
Exposure Scenario
Extrapolation
Facultative
Faucet
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Feedback
Filtration
Finished Water
First Draw
First Draw Sample
Fix Sample
Flagellates
Flame Polished
Floc
Flocculation
Floodplain
Fluidized
Fluoridation
Fluorosis
Flush
Flushing
Flux
Foot Valve
Formation
Free Available Residual Chlorine
Free Residual Chlorination
Freeboard
Freezing
Frequency of the Current
Fresh Water
Friction Losses
Fungi
Gage Pressure
Galvanic Call
Galvanic Series
Galvanize
Garnet
Gastroenteritis
Gauge, Pipe
Gavage
Geological Log
Geophysical Log
Germicide
Giardia lamblia
Giardiasis
Glass, Pipe and Fittings
Gooseneck
Grab Sample
Grade
Gram
Gravimetric
Grey Water
Gross Alpha Particle Activity
Gross Beta Particle Activity
Ground Water
Ground Water under the Direct Influence (UDI) of Surface Water
Half-Life
Halogen
Hard Water
Hardness, Water
Hazard Evaluation
Head Loss
Heat Sensor
Heavy Metals
Hectare
Hematopoiesis
Hemopoiesis
Hepatic
Hepatitis
Hepatoma
Herbicide
Hertz
Heterotrophic Microorganisms
Heterotrophic Plate Count
High-Line Jumpers
High Test Hypochlorite
High-to-Low-Dose Extrapolation
Histology
Hose Bib
Human Equivalent Dose
Human Exposure Evaluation
Human Health Risk
Humus
Hydrated Lime
Hydraulic Grade Line
Hydraulic Gradient
Hydrochlorination
Hydrochlorinators
Hydrogeologic Conditions
Hydrogeologic Cycle
Hydrogeologist
Hydrogeology
Hydrograph
Hydrologic Cycle
Hydrology
Hydrolysis
Hydrophilic
Hydrophobic
Hydropneumatic
Hydrostatic Pressure
Hypochlorite
Hypolimnion
Imhoff Cone
Impeller
Impermeable
In-Line Filtration
In Situ
In Vitro
In Vitro Studies
In Vivo
In Vivo Studies
Incidence of Tumors
Indicator (chemical)
Indicator (instrument)
Infiltration
Infiltration Gallery
Infiltration Rate
Influent
Ingestion
Inhalation
Initial Compliance Period
Inorganic
Input Horsepower
Insecticide
Instream Uses
Integrated Exposure Assessment
Integrator
Interface
Interflow
Interlock
Internal Friction
Interspecies Extrapolation Model
Interstate Carrier
Interstice
Invert
Ion
Ionic Concentration
Ionization
Irreversible Effect
Jar Test
Jogging
Joule
Kilo
Kinetic Energy
Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Landfill
Langelier Index
Large Water System
Latency
Laundering Weir
Launders
LC50
LD50
Leachate
Leaching
Lead
Lead Service Line
Legionella
Lesion
Lethal
Level Controls
Lifetime Exposure
Lindane
Linearity
Linearized Multistage Model
Littoral Zone
Loading
Logarithm
Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level
Macroscopic Organisms
Malignant
Man-Made Beta Particle and Photon Emitting
Man-Made Beta Particle Emitting
Man-Made Photon Emitting
Managerial Controls
Manifold
Manometer
Margin of Safety
Mathematical Model
Maximum Contaminant Level
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
Maximum Tolerated Dose
Maximum Total Trihalomethane Potential
Measured Variable
Mechanical Joint
Medium-Size Water System
Meg
Megger
Megohm
Meniscus
Mesh
Mesotrophic
Metabolism
Metabolite
Metalimnion
Metastatic
Methoxychlor
Methyl Orange Alkalinity
Methylene-Blue-Active Substances
Microbial Growth
Microgram
Micrograms per Liter
Micron
Microorganisms
mil
Milligram
Milligrams per Liter
Millimicron
Million-Gallons per Day
Mineralization
Modeling
Molar
Molarity
Mole
Molecular Weight
Molecule
Monitoring
Monitoring Wells
Monomer
Monomictic
Monovalent
Mortality
Most Probable Number
Motile
Motor Efficiency
Mudballs
Mulch
Multi-Stage Model
Multi-Stage Pump
Multiple Use
Municipal Sewage
Mutagen
Mutagenicity
N,N-Diethyl-p-Phenylene-Diamine
National Environmental Training Association
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations
National Pollutant Discharge
National Priorities List
National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations
National Toxicology Program
Natural Organic Matter
Near the First Service Connection
Necrosis
Nematodes
Neoplasm
Nephelometric
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit
Neurotoxicity
Newton
Nitrification
Nitrification Inhibitor
Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogenous
No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level
No-Observed-Effect Level
Noble Metal
Nominal Diameter
Non-Community Water System
Non-Conventional Pollutant
Non-Ionic Polymer
Non-Point Source
Non-Potable
Non-Transient Non-Community Water System
Normal
Nutrient
Nutrient Pollution
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
Odor Threshold
Offset
Offstream Uses
OHM
Olfactory Fatigue
Oligotrophic
Oncology
One-Hit Model
Operation and Maintenance Costs
Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment
Oral
Organic
Organic Acids
Organics
Organism
Orifice
Orthotolidine
Osmosis
Other Non-Distribution System Plumbing Problem
Overall Efficiency Pump
Overdraft
Overflow Rate
Overturn
Oxidation
Oxidation-Reduction Potential
Oxidizing Agent
Ozonation
Packed Tower Aeration
Palatable
Parshall Flume
Particle Count
Particulate
Partition Coefficient
Parts per Billion
Parts per Million
Pascal
Pathogenic Organisms
Pathogens
Pathology
Percent Saturation
Percolating Water
Percolation
Performance Evaluation Sample
Periphyton
Permeability
Permeate
Permissible Dose
Persistence
Person
Pesticide
Petroleum Derivatives
pH
Pharmacokinetics
Phenolic Compounds
Phenolphthalein Alkalinity
Photosynthesis
Phytoplankton
Pico
Picocurie
Pigtail
Pipe Schedule
Plan View
Plankton
Plug Flow
Plumes
Point of Disinfectant Application
Point-of-Entry Treatment Device
Point-of-Use Treatment Device
Point Source
Pole Shader
Pollutant
Pollution
Polyelectrolyte
Polymer
Population at Risk
Pore
Porosity
Positive Displacement Pump
Postchlorination
Potable Water
Potency
Potentiation
Potentiometric Surface
POTW
Pounds per Square Inch Gage Pressure
Power Factor
Prechlorination
Precipitate
Precipitation
Precision
Precursor, THM
Prescriptive
Pressure Control
Pressure Head
Prevalence Study
Primacy
Primary Element
Prime
Prior Appropriation
Process Variable
Product Water
Profile
Proportional Samples
Prospective Study
Prussian Blue
Public Water System
Pumping Station
Pumping Water Level
Purveyor, Water
Putrefaction
Qualitative
Quantitative
Quicklime
Radial to Impeller
Radical
Radionuclide
Range
Ranney Collector
Raw Water
Reaeration
Reagent
Recarbonation
Receiver
Receiving Waters
Receptor
Recharge
Recharge Area
Recharge Rate
Recorder
Reducing Agent
Reduction
Reference
Reference Dose
Reliquifaction
rem
Renal
Repeat Compliance Period
Representative Sample
Reservoir
Residual Chlorine
Residual Disinfectant Concentration
Residue
Respiration
Retrospective Study
Reverse Osmosis
Reversible Effect
Rill
Riparian Rights
Risk
Risk Assessment
Risk Characterization
Risk Estimate
Risk Factor
Risk Management
Risk Specific Dose
Rodenticide
Rotameter
Rotor
Route of Exposure
Run-Off
Sacrificial Anode
Safe
Safe Drinking Water Act
Safe Water
Safe Yield
Salinity
Sand
Sand Filters
Sanitary Sewer
Sanitary Survey
Saprophytes
Saturated Zone
Saturator
SCFM
Schedule, Pipe
Secchi Disc
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels
Sediment Yield
Sedimentation
Sedimentation Basin
Seepage
Seize up
Semi-Confined Aquifer
Sensor
Septage
Septic
Septic System
Sequestration
Service Line Sample
Service Pipe
Set Point
Settling Basin
Sewage
Sewer
Sewerage System
Shock Load
Short-Circuiting
Silt
Simulate
Single Family Structure
Single-Stage Pump
Sink
Slake
Slope
Slow Sand Filtration
Sludge
Slurry
Soft Water
Software Programs
Soil and Water Conservation District
Soil Conservation District
Soil Conservation Service
Soil Erodibility
Soil Profile
Soil Structure
Soil Texture
Solder
Sole Source Aquifer
Solenoid
Solution
Sorption
Sounding Tube
Span
Specific Conductance
Specific Gravity
Specific Yield
Spoil
Spore
Spring
Spring Line
Standard
Standard Method
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
Standard Sample
Standard Solution
Standardize
Starters
State
Static Head
Static Pressure
Static Water Depth
Static Water Level
Stator
Sterilization
Stethoscope
Stochastic
Storm Sewer
STP
Stratification
Strip Cropping
Subchronic
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Submergence
Suction Lift
Suggested No Adverse Response Level
Superchlorination
Superfund
Supernatant
Supersaturated
Supplier of Water
Surface Loading
Surface Pump
Surface Reaeration
Surface Runoff
Surface Water
Surfactant
Surge Chamber
Suspended Solids
Swamps
Synergism
System with a Single Service Connection
Systemic
Systemic Effects
Telemetry
Temperature Sensor
Teratogenesis
Teratogenicity
Terrace
Therapeutic Index
Thermal Stratification
Thermocline
Thermocouple
THM Precursor
Threshold
Threshold Odor
Threshold Odor Number
Thrust Block
Tillage
Time Lag
Time-Weighted Average
Timer
Tissue
Titrate
Titration
TNCWS
Too Numerous to Count
Topography
Total Dissolved Phosphorus
Total Dissolved Solids
Total Dynamic Head
Total Nitrogen
Total Particulate Phosphorus
Total Phosphorus
Total Residual Chlorine
Total Trihalomethanes
Totalizer
Toxaphene
Toxic
Toxic Pollutants
Toxic Substance
Toxicant
Toxicity
Toxicity Assessment
Toxicology
Transducer
Transformation
Transient Non-Community Water System
Transient Water System
Transmission Lines
Transmissivity
Transpiration
Treated Wastewater
Tremie
Trichloroethane
Trihalomethane
Tube Settler
Tubercle
Tuberculation
Tumor Incidence
Turbid
Turbidimeter
Turbidity
Uncertainty Factor
Unconfined Aquifer
Underground Storage Tank
Unit Cancer Risk
Unit Hydrograph
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Unsaturated Zone
Upper-Bound Estimate
Urban Runoff
User Fee
Variable Costs
Variance
Vegetative Controls
Virus
Void
Void Space
Volatile
Volatile Acids
Volatile Liquids
Volatile Solids
Volatilization
Voltage
Volumetric
Vortex
Wastewater
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Water Balance Model
Water Budget
Water Hammer
Water Purveyor
Water Solubility
Water Storage Pond
Water Supplier
Water Supply System
Water Table
Water Treatment Lagoon
Water Well
Waterborne Disease Outbreak
Watershed
Watt
Weir
Weir Diameter
Weir Loading
Well
Well Field
Well Monitoring
Well Plug
Wet Chemistry
Wetlands
Wire-to-Water Efficiency
Withdrawal
Yield
Zeta Potential
Zone of Aeration
Zone of Saturation
Zooplankton
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