Glossary Terms

An organism that can thrive in the absence of oxygen (air), such as bacteria in a septic tank.

A condition in which there is no air or no available free oxygen. An action or process conducted in the absence of air, such as the […]

A small, single-celled animal or protozoan which is widely found in fresh and salt water.

A common name for aluminum sulfate, used as a coagulant in water treatment.

A term applied to a family of branched chain chemical compounds, formerly used as detergents,. Sometimes called “hard” detergents, because of their resistance to biological degradation, […]

1. The quantitative capacity of water to neutralize an acid; that is, the measure of how much acid can be added to a liquid without causing […]

A substance which creates a bitter taste and a slippery feel when dissolved in water, and will turn litmus paper blue. An alkali has a pH […]

Small primitive plants containing chlorophyll, commonly found in surface water. Excessive growths may create taste and odor problems, and consume dissolved oxygen during decay.

A technique of aeration for the removal of dissolved gasses and volatile substances, often pesticides of hydrocarbon products in water supplies. Large volumes of air are […]