Water Treatment Dictionary

The quantity of solids in water, wastewater or other liquids lost on ignition of the dry solids at 600°C.

A process that removes specific wastes not generally removed by conventional treatment processes.

The arrival at a process or plant of a waste that is toxic to organisms in sufficient quantity or strength to cause operational problems.

A condition produced by anaerobic bacteria. If severe, the water turns black, gives off a foul odor and contains little or no dissolved oxygen.

A wastewater treatment process used to convert dissolved or suspended materials into a form more readily separated from the water being treated.

A test used to indicate the settling ability of activated sludge in the secondary clarifier.

The process of deposition of suspended matter carried by water, wastewater or other liquid by gravity.

The first major and in some cases the only treatment step taken in a wastewater treatment plant. Usually sedimentation.

Natural polymers may be of biological origin or derived from starch products, cellulose derivatives and alginates. Synthetic polyelectrolytes consist of simple substances that have been made into complex, high molecular weight substances.

A high molecular weight substance that is formed by either a natural or synthetic process. Often called a “polymer”.