Glossary & Lingo

Adsorptive carbon media that have a high capacity to remove certain dissolved trace  pollutants from water (ie, organics that cause taste and odour issues). 

When two or more things stick together. Water is able to stick to many surfaces due to the creation of weak surface bonds. 

The physical process of removing dissolved gases and particles that adhere to the surfaces of, or in the pores of, an adsorbent material. Adsorption occurs without chemical reaction. (Note: this is a different process to absorption which is not used in water treatment.)

The appearance of water (ie, having no discernible taste, odour, lack of clarity, water causing staining, etc). It impacts consumer confidence and acceptance of the water supply.

The water below ground and held in saturated layers of sand and rock. It acts as a water source for wells.

The total demand for water during a period of time divided by the number of days in that time period. Also called the average daily demand.

The American Water Works Association is a nonprofit, scientific and educational society dedicated to providing total water solutions to assure the effective management of water.