Glossary Terms

May 3, 2017

suspended solids

Solid particles in water which are not in solution.
May 3, 2017

surfactant

A contraction of the term “surface-active agent”.
May 3, 2017

surface tension

The result of attraction between molecules of a liquid which causes the surface of the liquid to act as a thin elastic film under tension. Surface […]
May 3, 2017

surface-active agent

A surface-active substance that when added to water lowers surface tension and increases the “wetting” capabilities of the water. Reduced surface tension allows water to spread […]
May 3, 2017

supernatant

Liquid removed from settled sludge. Supernatant commonly refers to the liquid between the sludge on the bottom and the water surface of a basin or container.
May 3, 2017

superchlorination

The addition of excess amounts of chlorine to a water supply to speed chemical reactions or insure disinfection with short contact time. The chlorine residual following […]
May 3, 2017

sulfur (S)

A yellowish solid element. The term is also commonly used to refer to sulfur water (water containing hydrogen sulfide gas).
May 3, 2017

sulfonic acid (-SO2OH)

A specific acidic group which forms the exchange site active group in certain cation exchange resins and gives these resins their ion exchange capability.
May 3, 2017

sulfate-reducing bacteria

A group of bacteria which are capable of reducing sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide gas, thus producing obnoxious tastes and odors. These bacteria have no […]