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Use your browser's Back button to return to the training. A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y
Aeration - A water treatment process that mixes water with air in a chamber or tower filled with packing material to disperse the water, allowing for sufficient contact time. As the water trickles down over the material, air is passed upward, removing the contaminants from the water. Aeration is effective at removing volatile organic compounds. Air Gap Separation - A physical separation between the free flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline, and the overflow rim of an open or non pressure receiving vessel, used to prevent backflow in a water distribution system. Annular spaces - Openings or voids found around the casing of a well. Aquifer - A water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel. Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker - A type of device used to prevent backflow in a water distribution system that allows air to enter the water line when the line pressure is reduced to a gauge pressure of zero or below. Backflow - Water that flows back to the distribution system. It is sometimes caused by a loss of pressure in the water system. Bacteria - Prokaryotic unicellular round, spiral, or rod-shaped single-celled microorganisms that are often aggregated into colonies or motile by means of flagella, that live in soil, water, organic matter, or the bodies of plants and animals. Examples of bacteria that may contaminate water systems include coliform, salmonella, Legionella, and E coli. Bailer - A section of pipe with a check valve at the bottom, used to remove crushed soil material from inside a well casing, accumulated during the process of drilling a well using the cable-tool method. BAT - Best Available Technology, The current technology available to detect and treat the contaminant of concern. Biological Characteristics - A characteristic of water defined by the levels of bacteria, viruses, and microscopic animals present. Blow-off hydrant - A hydrant used to flush the water main. Also called flushing hydrants. Bowl-assemblies - Found in vertical turbine well pumps, used to house the impellers, which spin to push water to the surface through the well column. Carbon - A treatment technology used to treat copper and lead in water. Casing - Lengths of pipe welded or coupled together in a well to form a continuous casing from the surface to the aquifer. Chemical - One cause for corrosion in pipes; chemicals that can cause corrosion include carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric acid, chloride, and sulfuric acid. Chemical Characteristics - A characteristic of water defined by the amounts of organic or inorganic compounds present. Chlorination - A method of water disinfection where gaseous, liquid, or dissolved chlorine is added to a water supply system. Chlorine Demand - The minimum amount of chlorine needed to react in a water purification system; used as a monitoring measurement by system operators. Coagulation with Filtration - A treatment technology used to remove copper and lead from water, whereby a chemical such as alum is added to the water. When the water is stirred, the alum forms sticky globs that attach to small particles, which can then be filtered out. Condensation - The conversion of water from the vapor state to a liquid state usually initiated by a reduction in temperature of the vapor. Column - The vertical pillar of water formed by water being pumped out of a well. Combined Chlorine Residual - The amount of chlorine used up in a water purification system; used as a monitoring measurement by system operators. Compound Meter - A water meter used in places with high fluctuations in water usage; includes a positive displacement meter and a turbine meter. Conditional waiver - An exemption given by the State to a water system if an MCL cannot be met; given that certain conditions are met by the water system. Confined aquifer - An aquifer situated above an impermeable layer such as rock or clay. Consumer Confidence Report - A report that community water systems must provide or make available to their customers annually, designed to inform the customers of the quality of the water they are drinking. Continuous Chlorination - A treatment technology used to remove bacteriological contamination from water. Continuous Ozone - A treatment technology used to remove bacteriological contamination from water, whereby water is exposed to ozone, which destroys bacterial cells. Corrosion Control - A technology used to keep lead and copper out of water systems. Cross Connections - Unwanted connections which allow nonpotable water to infiltrate a potable water supply; can occur due to backflow. Cubitainer® - A type of plastic container used for collecting certain types of water samples. Direct-read - A type of water meter read by looking at the numbers on the top of the meter dial or on a remote registering head. Dissolved Oxygen - DO, The amount of oxygen dissolved in water; introduced through aeration, photosynthesis from plants, or as part of a treatment process to remove certain contaminants. Dissolved solids - Substances found in solution in water due to the tendency of water to break down the materials it comes into contact with. Distribution system - A part of a water system consisting of the water mains, water services, valves, hydrants, meters, and treatment equipment; used to supply water to the customers. Dosage - The amount of chlorine per gallon or other unit of measurement found in a water purification system. Double Check Valve - A device used in a distribution system to prevent backflow, which consists of two internally loaded check valves, two full ported shutoff valves, and four test cocks. Drawdown - The difference between the static water level and the pumping water level in a well; determined by the ability of the aquifer to replace the amount of water that is being pumped. Dry-barrel hydrant - A freeze-proof hydrant with the operating valve located at the bottom of the barrel that keeps the water below the frost line. Ductile iron - A type of iron used for water mains that generally has the properties of high strength, ductility, and resistance to impact. Electrical conductivity - A physical characteristic of water used to indicate the level of TDS in water; the level of electrical conductivity is proportional to the amount of dissolved solids found in the water. Electrochemical - One cause for corrosion in pipes; an electrochemical reaction involves the transfer of electric charge between matter. Electrolysis - The producing of chemical changes by passage of an electric current between two metallic surfaces; can cause corrosion in pipes. Elevated tank - A method of storing water aboveground prior to distribution in a water supply system. Evaporation - The process of water changing phases from a liquid state to a vapor. Filtration - A treatment technology used to remove inorganic compounds from water whereby water passes through layers of sand, coal or other granular material. Fire hydrant - A hydrant used to access water directly from the main, equipped with a fire hose connection for use in the event of a fire. First-draw - A water sampling method for lead and copper, whereby the water is allowed to remain motionless in the plumbing for a minimum of six hours. Flushing hydrant - A hydrant used to flush the water main. Also called blow-off hydrants. Free Chlorine Residual - The amount of chlorine remaining in a water purification system after the chlorine demand; used as a monitoring measurement by system operators. Gallons Per Minute - GPM, A unit of measurement used to express the yield of a well. Gas - A form of chlorine used for disinfection that is contained in pressurized cylinders and uses regulators that control the amount of chlorine being added. Gross alpha test - A "total" measurement of alpha emitting particles in water, including Radium and Uranium. Radioactive elements emit alpha particles, which are believed to be carcinogenic. Granulated Activated Carbon - GAC, A treatment technology used to remove dissolved organic compounds from water, whereby water is passed through beds of activated carbon to which organic contaminants adsorb. Ground storage - A method of storing water prior to distribution in a water supply system. Grout - A type of cement used to fill the annular spaces around a well casing. Hardness - A measure of the amount of dissolved minerals found in water, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hard water - Water that contains high amounts of dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hydrant - A device used to access water directly from the main. Hydropneumatic tank - A method of storing water prior to distribution in a water supply system, whereby the water system pressure is maintained between a specified pressure range; also called pressure tanks. Impeller - Rotors found in well pumps that are used to push water to the surface through the well column. Impermeable - Underground formations that do not allow water to percolate through them. Infiltration - The process of water moving into and through the soil. Ion Exchange - A method of water softening where hardness causing ions are exchanged with sodium ions; also effective in removing many inorganic contaminants such as nitrates, copper, and lead; and treating aesthetic water problems. Laterals - The pipes that carry water from the water mains to the customers, also called services. Liquid or Solid - A form of chlorine used for disinfection that is fed by pumps into the water supply system. Lime Softening - A method of water softening where hydrated lime is added to water in order to precipitate out hardening agents, which are then removed by sedimentation or filtration. Main Valves - Valves installed at tees or crosses where two or more water mains intersect, so that the mains can be isolated for emergency repair or maintenance. Municipal Water System - MC, A water system that serves at least 25 people, or has 15 service connections or more used by residents more than six months per year; and is owned by a governmental entity such as a city, county, town, village, sanitary district, state, or federal institution. Nonpotable water - Water that is not suitable for drinking. Nontransient Noncommunity Water System - NTNC, A water system that serves at least 25 of the same people more than six months of the year, but not as a primary residence; such as schools, businesses, and day cares. Occupational Safety and Health Administration - OSHA, An agency created by the United States Congress in 1970 whose mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. Other-Than-Municipal - OTM or OC, A water system that serves at least 25 people, or has 15 service connections used by residents more than six months per year; and is owned by an entity that is not governmental, such as a manufactured housing park, subdivision, apartment complex, or condominium association. Ozone - A method of water disinfection where water is exposed to ozone, which destroys bacterial cells. Percolation - The downward movement of water through the soil. Perched aquifer - An unconfined aquifer contained by impermeable rock. Permeable - A characteristic of underground formations, which have pores or openings that permit liquids to pass through. pH - A measure of acidity and alkalinity of a solution that is a number on a scale on which a value of 7 represents neutrality, lower numbers indicate increasing acidity, and higher numbers indicate increasing alkalinity. Each unit of change represents a tenfold change in acidity or alkalinity and is the negative logarithm of the effective hydrogen-ion concentration or hydrogen-ion activity in gram equivalents per liter of the solution. Physical Characteristics - A characteristic of water defined by the temperature, turbidity, color, taste, and odor of the water. Point-of-entry sample - A type of water sample taken after treatment and before reaching the first consumer. Positive Displacement Meter - A water meter used in normal and low-flow conditions. Potable water - Water that is suitable for drinking. Primacy authority - The authority given by the USEPA to the States to implement and enforce the Safe Water Drinking Act. Precipitation - The process of water falling to earth in various forms. Pressure Vacuum Breaker - A type of device used to prevent backflow in a water distribution system that consists of a spring loaded check valve, an independently operating air inlet valve, two resilient seated shutoff valves, and two resilient seated test cocks. Protozoan - A member of the phylum or subkingdom Protozoa, which are chiefly motile and heterotrophic unicellular protests, such as amoebas, trypanosomes, sporozoans, and paramecia. Public Notification Rule - A method of keeping the customer informed about the quality of their drinking water, which specifies the method, timeframe, language, and action in the event of a MCL violation or emergency situation. Public Service Commission of Wisconsin - PSC, An independent regulatory agency responsible for the regulation of Wisconsin public utilities, including those that are municipally-owned, which receives its authority and responsibilities from the State Legislature. PVC - Poly(vinyl chloride), A type of plastic used for water mains that has the properties of hardness and resistance to water and fire. Pumping water level - The water level in a well while the pump is running. Radiological Characteristics - A characteristic of water defined by the amount of radionuclides present in the water. Radionuclide - A radioactive nuclide. Radioactivity is the property possessed by some elements, such as uranium; or isotopes, such as carbon 14; of spontaneously emitting energetic particles, such as electrons or alpha particles, by the disintegration of their atomic nuclei. Reduced Pressure Device - A type of device used to prevent backflow in a water distribution system that consists of two independently acting spring loaded check valves separated by a spring loaded differential pressure relief valve, two full ported shutoff valves, and four test cocks. During normal operation, the pressure between the two check valves, referred to as the zone of reduced pressure, is maintained at a lower pressure than the supply pressure. If either check valve leaks, the differential pressure relief valve maintains a differential pressure of at least two (2) psi between the supply pressure, and the zone between the two check valves, by discharging water to atmosphere. Remote-read - A type of water meter that generates a signal, which is read by radio, telephone, or by use of a handheld computer. Residual - The amount of chlorine remaining after the initial reaction in a water purification system; used as a monitoring measurement by system operators. Reverse Osmosis - RO, A treatment technology used to remove inorganic contaminants, where water with a low level of total dissolved solids passes through a semipermeable membrane into a solution containing a higher level of total dissolved solids; pump pressure is applied to the concentrated solution causing it to flow back across the membrane. Sanitary Surveys - Periodic on-site inspections performed by WDNR consisting of a review of a system's compliance, monitoring records, and facilities. Saturated - The state of soil when it is completely full of water and no more water can infiltrate. Screen - A meshed wire mounted at the bottom of a well used to keep sediment out of gravel-packed wells. Serve - Having water available for people to drink, but not necessarily that people actually drink the water. Services - The pipes that carry water from the water mains to the customers, also called laterals. Service Valves - Valves used to isolate a single building from the water main; installed on the service line between the water main and the building, usually near the street curb; also called curbstop valves. Source Water Assessments - An assessment conducted by WDNR for drinking water sources that requires WDNR to delineate the assessment area boundaries from which public water systems receive supplies of drinking water, inventory significant potential sources of contamination within those boundaries, determine the susceptibility of the public water systems to potential sources of contamination, and provide the assessment results to the public. Specific capacity - A well measurement expressed in gallons per minute per foot determined by dividing the yield by the drawdown. Standpipe - A method of storing water and equalizing water pressure to minimize the pulsations of water flowing in the mains, used prior to modern pumping methods, consisting of a large vertical pipe in which a column of water rises and falls; often built inside towers. Static water level - The water level in a well when the pump is not running. Submersible pump - A water pump with the motor and pump assembly located below ground at the bottom of the well column. Surface Runoff - The process of precipitation moving across saturated or impervious soils. Surface water - Water found in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and oceans. Total Chlorine Residual - The total of free residual and combined residual chlorine in a water purification system; used as a monitoring measurement by system operators. Tier I Violation - A level of water regulation violation that has potential for human health to be immediately impacted. Tier II Violation - A level of water regulation violation that does not pose an immediate risk to human health, and involves a contaminant that exceeds EPA or state standards or hasn't been treated properly. Tier III Violation - A level of water regulation violation that does not have a direct impact on human health and violates a drinking water standard. Transient Noncommunity Water System - TN, A water system that serves at least 25 of the same people more than six months of the year, but not as a primary residence; such as schools, businesses, and day cares. Transpiration - The process of plants taking up water through their root system and allowing it to enter the atmosphere through the surface of their leaves. Turbine Meter - A water meter used in higher-flow conditions. Unconfined aquifer - An aquifer that is located in a permeable formation where the water table is free to rise and fall depending on factors such as the amount of rainfall. Ultra Violet - UV, A method of water disinfection where water is exposed to UV light; certain wavelengths of UV light deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens and thus destroy their ability to multiply and cause disease. Vacuum - A condition created in a well when air is not allowed to be displaced between the casing and the pump column. Valve - A mechanical device by which the flow of liquid may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways. Variance - An exemption given by the State to a water system if an MCL cannot be met; given that certain conditions are met by the water system. Vent - A pipe installed in the well casing to allow for the displacement of air between the casing and the pump column. Vertical turbine pump - A water pump with the motor located above ground, connected by a shaft to the pump below. Virus - Any of a large group of submicroscopic infective agents that are regarded either as extremely simple microorganisms or as extremely complex molecules that typically contain a protein coat surrounding an RNA or DNA core of genetic material, but no semipermeable membrane that are capable of growth and multiplication only in living cells, and that cause various important diseases in humans, lower animals, or plants. Vulnerability Assessments - An assessment performed for all community and nontransient noncommunity public water systems every three years; which consists of an inventory of potential sources of contamination within a delineated area, an evaluation of well construction, an evaluation of pesticide susceptibility and industrial chemical use, and an assessment of vulnerability to volatile organic compounds, ethylene dibromide, asbestos, and coal tar. Water flow - The amount of water available in a water supply system. Water hammer - A occurrence caused when flowing water in a system is immediately stopped due to a valve or hydrant being closed too quickly, which sends a sudden pressure wave down the water line, shocking the pipes. Water Main - A primary pipe used to carry water from the source to storage facilities and to points along the distribution system. Water meter - A device used to measure the volumetric flow of water. Water pressure - The force of the water available in a water supply system. Water source - The origin of water in a water supply system, usually a well. Water storage facility - An area used to store water during low demand periods for distribution to customers during high demand periods in a water supply system. Water table - The water level in a well when the pump is not running. Well - Any opening into the ground used to obtain water, where the depth of the opening is greater than the largest surface dimension. Well Abandonment - A process to permanently close a well, which has certain criteria and requirements and that must be followed. Well caps - Seals installed on the top of well casings used to prevent any solid material or insects from entering the well. Wellhead Protection - Actions that are used to prevent groundwater from becoming contaminated including source water assessments, vulnerability assessments, wellhead protection plans, and well abandonment. Wellhead Protection Plan - Well-specific plans used to implement the principles found in source water assessments and vulnerability assessments, typically developed by community water systems for new wells. Wet-barrel hydrant - A hydrant with the operating valve located at the top so that the entire hydrant contains pressurized water. Yield - A measurement, usually in units of GPM,
of the amount of water a well can produce. |