Glossary & Lingo

A group of bacteria, a subgroup of total coliforms that are often present in the feces of warm-blooded animals. 

Materials, such as sand, activated carbon, ion exchange, green sand, and membranes, which filter water as it passes through the filter media. 

Water that has been treated and disinfected. It is microbially and chemically safe to consume.

Water used for fire protection.

Clumps of bacteria and particulate impurities that have come together and formed a cluster. Found in flocculation tanks and settling or sedimentation basins.

The gathering together of fine particles after coagulation to form larger particles by a process of hydraulic and mechanical mixing.

A maintenance procedure whereby water is flushed down water mains at a high flow (velocity) rate to clean out debris and contaminants that have built up.

Chlorine that has combined with water to form hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite Ion (OCL). Free chlorine is chlorine that is available for disinfection.

That portion of the total available residual chlorine composed of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and/or hypochlorite ion (OCl-) remaining in water after chlorination. This does not include chlorine that has combined with ammonia, nitrogen, or other compounds. To keep water safety, a chlorine residual of 0.2mg/L should be maintained in the distribution system.