Alkalinity The capacity of water to neutralize acids; caused by the waters content of

carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, and occasionally borate, silicate, and phosperate.

Apparent Colour Colour of water/suspended matter in raw/untreated water
True Colour Colour of the water from which turbidity has been removed.
Cathodic Protection An electrical system for prevention of rust, corrosion, and pitting
of metal surfaces which are in contact with water or soil. A low voltage current is flowed
through a liquid. This concentrates corrosion on auxiliary anodic parts.
Jar Test a quick test of water to simulate coagulation/flocculation with of the same
water in multiple jars with different chemical doses added to estimate the ideal
coagulant dose needed.
Grab Sample single sample collected at a particular time and place that represents
the composition of the water only at that time and place. Immediate results for a specific
water supply.
Polymer Long chain molecule formed by the union of many smaller molecules. Used
with other chemical coagulants to aid in binding small suspended particles to larger
chemical flocs for removal from water.
Coagulant Aid any chemical used to assist or modify coagulation
Coagulation the clumping together of fine particles into larger particles to make it
easy to separate from water.
Suspended Solids solids that float on surface or suspended in water/wastewater or
other liquids. Also the quantity of material removed from water in a laboratory test.
Colloids very small, finely divided solids that remain dispersed in a liquid for a long
time due to their small size and electrical charge.
Short Circuiting when some of the flowing water entering a tank flows along a direct
pathway from the inlet to the outlet, which results in shorter contact, reaction, or and
longer settling times
Flocculation gathering together fine particles after coagulation to form larger particles
by gentle mixing
Floc clumps of particulate impurities that form as a cluster as a result of flocculation
Detention Time the theoretical time required for a small amount of water to pass
through a tank at a given flow or the actual time that a small amount of water is in a
basin.
Clarifier a large tank in which water is held for a period of time so that sedimentation
can occur.
Inorganic material such as sand, salt, iron and other mineral materials. Of mineral
origin.
Organic substances that come from animal or plant sources. Always contain carbon.

Tube Settler a device that uses tubes installed on an incline to aid sedimentation or
particle removal
Head Loss the pressure lost by water flowing in a pipe or channel as a result of
turbulence caused by the velocity of flowing water and the roughness of the
pipe/channel. Friction losses.
Launders sedimentation basin and filter discharge channels consisting of overflow
weir plates and conveying troughs.