Water is one of our planet's most precious resources, and Great Lakes is doing its part to ensure that it is used wisely and safely. Great Lakes produces products that are used widely in industrial water treatment applications that contribute to our daily lives such as cooling water for office buildings and manufacturing facilities, processing, wastewater treatment, paper making, oil recovery, and water purification. The inorganic scale and corrosion inhibitors and microbiological control products produced by Great Lakes allow water to be used more efficiently and reduces waste. Our products are also used in arid regions of the world to turn salt water into fresh drinking water.

As a major producer of organic, polymer-based antiscalants and corrosion inhibitors and bromine-based biocides, Great Lakes is making water work even better.

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Humans are over 70% water and it is impossible to survive more than 5 days without water. With toxins in water pollution, including acid rain, illegal dumping, etc. it is becoming more and more necessary to utilize water treatment. Especially in the home, a water treatment system is important in keeping one’s family healthy. Water treatment systems can deliver clean, delicious water to an entire house and helps reduce the problems associated with hard water, which is caused by limescale in pipes.

Foul taste, color or smell of your household water are reasons to implement a water treatment system. Before attempting to remedy the situation, it is wise to get your water tested at your local hardware store. Many simple carbon filters, water softeners, reverse osmosis units, neutralizing filters or mechanical filters can be bought cost effectively and easily installed to help treat one’s water supply. Water is used so heavily in daily living that water treatment is a great idea for a home improvement project.

Industrial Water Treatment

Why do we treat wastewater?
The most basic answer is to make dirty water clean. Treatment facilities simply compress the organic decomposition processes which take place in nature. This is performed by a combination of physical, biological, and chemical treatment stages. Nature (receiving waters) can only accept small amounts of sewage before becoming polluted, that is, natural bacteria feed on the sewage organics and create an abnormal amount of dissolved oxygen uptake. Dissolved oxygen which exists in minute amounts (10 parts per million @ 20ºC), is required by all marine life for survival. One of the principle objectives of wastewater treatment is to prevent as much of this "oxygen-demanding" organic material as possible from entering the receiving water.

Water is generally classified into two groups: Surface Water and Ground Water. Surface water is just what the name implies; it is water found in a river, lake or other surface impoundment. This water is usually not very high in mineral content, and many times is called "soft water" even though it usually is not. Surface water is exposed to many different contaminants, such as animal wastes, pesticides, insecticides, industrial wastes, algae and many other organic materials. Even surface water found in a pristine mountain stream possibly contains Giardia or Coliform Bacteria from the feces of wild animals, and should be boiled or disinfected by some means prior to drinking.

Ground Water is that which is trapped beneath the ground. Rain that soaks into the ground, rivers that disappear beneath the earth, melting snow are but a few of the sources that recharge the supply of underground water. Because of the many sources of recharge, ground water may contain any or all of the contaminants found in surface water as well as the dissolved minerals it picks up during it's long stay underground. Waters that contains dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium above certain levels are considered "hard water" Because water is considered a "solvent", i.e., over time it can break down the ionic bonds that hold most substances together, it tends to dissolve and 'gather up' small amounts of whatever it comes in contact with. For instance, in areas of the world where rock such as limestone, gypsum, fluorspar, magnetite, pyrite and magnesite are common, well water is usually very high in calcium content, and therefore considered "hard". Industrial Water Treatment

Due to the different characteristics of these two types of water, it is important that you know the source of your water -- Surface or Ground. Of the 326 million cubic miles of water on earth, only about 3% of it is fresh water; and 3/4 of that is frozen. Only 1/2 of 1% of all water is underground; about 1/50th of 1% of all water is found in lakes and streams. The average human is about 70% water. You can only survive 5 or less days without water.

What is hard water?
Hard water is the most common problem found in the average home. Hard water is water that contains dissolved hardness minerals above 1 GPG.

What are hardness minerals?
Calcium, manganese and magnesium are the most common.

How do you Measure Hardness?
Parts per million or grains per gallon are the most common. One part per million (PPM) is just what it says: out of one million units, one unit. Grains, or grains per gallon (GPG) is a weight measurement taken from the Egyptians; one dry grain of wheat, or about 1/7000 of a pound. It takes 17.1 PPM to equal 1 GPG.

Why Should Hard Water Concern Me?
For many uses, it would not matter. For instance, to put out fires, water your lawn, wash the mud off the streets or float your boat, water would have to be pretty hard to cause a problem. But for bathing, washing dishes and clothes, shaving, washing your car and many other uses of water, hard water is not as efficient or convenient as "soft water." For instance:

you use only 1/2 as much soap cleaning with soft water.
because hard water and soap combine to form "soap scum" that can't be rinsed off, forming a 'bathtub ring' on all surfaces and drys leaving unsightly spots on your dishes.
when hard water is heated, the hardness minerals are re-crystallized to form hardness scale. This scale can plug your pipes and hot water heater, causing premature failure, and costly replacement.
the soap scum remains on your skin even after rinsing, clogging the pores of your skin and coating every hair on your body. This crud can serve as a home for bacteria, causing diaper rash, minor skin irritation and skin that continually itches.
for many industrial uses, the hardness minerals interfere with the process, causing inferior product.

Who Will Test My Water for Hardness?
If you are connected to a municipal supply, call the water Superintendent, or City Hall. They can either provide the answer, or direct you to the proper individual. Remember the conversion factor: it takes 17.1 PPM to equal 1 GPG. In other words, if your water has 171 PPM calcium in it, divide 171 by 17.1 to get the answer in grains. This example would be 10 grains, or GPG.
Industrial Water Treatment

If you are on a private supply, you could contact your county extension agent: collect a sample in an approved container and send to the city or state health department for testing: find a testing lab (try the yellow pages): call a water conditioning company. By the way, if you are on a private well, YOU, AND YOU ALONE are responsible for the safety of the water you and your family drink. You should test your supply for bacteria at least once per year and other contaminants at least every three years -- more under certain conditions.

My Water is Hard; Now What?
If your water tests over 3 GPG hard, you should mechanically soften it. Softening water that is less than 3 GPG, while it makes your shaving and bathing more comfortable, is considered a luxury due to the fact that the cost is more than your savings. Over 3 GPG, you will save enough to pay for the cost and maintenance of a water conditioner.

As of this writing, the most economical way for you to soften your household water is with an ion exchange water softener. This unit uses sodium chloride (salt) to recharge man made plastic like beads that exchange hardness minerals for sodium. As the hard water passes through and around the plastic like beads, the hardness minerals (ions) attach themselves to the bead, dislodging the sodium ions. This process is called "ion exchange". When the plastic bead, called Resin, has no sodium ions left, it is exhausted, and can soften no more water. The resin is recharged by flushing with salt water. The sodium ions force the hardness ions off the resin beads; then the excess sodium is rinsed away, and the resin is ready to start the process all over again. This cycle can be repeated many, many time before the resin loses it's ability to react to these forces.

Which Water Conditioning Company should I call?
As in any purchase, talk to your friends and neighbors -- who do they use? Are they happy with them? Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints. The BBB can't prevent shady business, but they can and do keep a file of complaints filed by people who have had dealings with them. Remember, just because the unit or Company carries a brand name is not any indication that the unit is any better.........but it may mean it is more costly for you!
Industrial Water Treatment

Ask at least two to come to your home to look at your plumbing and then give you a quote on their equipment. Have them explain all the features of the unit, as well as the warranty.

What Should I look for in a Water Conditioner?
Make sure the unit has enough resin to treat all the water you and your family will use. As of this writing, the average usage per day, per person (including children), for inside the house is 87 gallons. You should also be shown two or three ways to initiate recharging the unit.

The oldest way is by a time clock, i.e., your water usage is calculated and the frequency of recharging programmed into the timer. On the appointed day, at the appointed hour, the unit recharges. If all went as calculated, ok. If you were gone -- too bad -- you just wasted salt and water. If you had extra company -- too bad -- you ran out of soft water. You must pick a unit that will treat one days supply of water and still have about 40% of the resin in the recharged state. This will provide you with the most efficiency for salt and regeneration water.

A second way to initiate recharge is by electronic sensing. By electronically checking the resin, these units can determine when the resin needs to be recharged -- this is a great help when your water hardness changes, when you have extra company or when you are gone for a few days. These 'sensor' units can save you up to 42% of your salt and recharge water as well as keep you in soft water when you have extra guests.

A third way to initiate recharge is by using a meter. These units have a meter installed in the water line and simply measure how many gallons of water you actually used. The unit is set according to your water hardness, and will recharge when the gallons used approach exhaustion of the resin bed, saving you a high percentage of your recharge salt and water.

Many variations of these methods are on the market. Some use computers to calculate in advance, when to recharge the unit; some have two resin beds (tanks), and switch back and forth between the two, keeping you in soft water all the time, at the highest efficiency. These systems are most effective in high hardness waters, i.e., over 10-12 GPG, and over 4 people in the family. Low hardness water and smaller families do not require the extra expense of these options.

I Have a Water Conditioner, Now my Water Feels "Slimy"
When the hardness minerals are removed, soap no longer forms a soap curd, or "bathtub ring" on your skin, plugging your pores, clinging to every strand of hair. You are now truly clean. That slick, slimy feeling you feel is your natural body oils -- without the soap scum. The old saying that you get "squeaky clean" is a myth; that feeling was caused by the soap scum on your skin. By the way, that soap scum provided an excellent place for bacteria to hide and grow, causing numerous minor skin ailments.

My Water Stinks! What can I Do?
First, you must learn a little about your nose: Once you smell some things, your sense of smell is dulled for a short while, and you can't make accurate judgments of smell. For instance, if I blindfold you, let you smell gasoline, hand you a piece of onion to eat and tell you it is an apple, you can't tell it's not because your nose isn't working properly!! (Your sense of taste isn't working either -- smell and taste are closely related and affect each other!)

So, to correctly analyze your problem, you need to become a detective. The best time to locate the smell is after you have been away from home for a few hours -- this allows your nose to become sensitive to "that smell" again. With your 'sensitized' nose, go to an outside spigot -- one that the raw, untreated water flows from. Turn it on, let it run a few minutes, then smell it. If it smells -- we found it. If not, we must look further. (Many, many smells are not in the raw water at all, they are introduced into the water inside the house.) Go to a cold, treated water spigot inside the house, turn it on and let it run a minute; then smell. If this water smells, and the outside, untreated water didn't -- you must have a device (cartridge filter, water softener, etc.) in the water line that needs to be cleaned and sanitized.
Industrial Water Treatment

If it is a cartridge, or 'string' filter, replace the element and sanitize the housing. If you have a water conditioner call the Company where you bought the unit for advise on how to sanitize the unit. If you rent the unit, just call! You can sanitize the unit by pouring Hydrogen Peroxide or Chlorine Bleach in the brine well of the salt tank, and placing the unit into regeneration. Check with the seller, or, if they are no longer in business, any Professional Water Conditioning Dealer for how much to put in your particular unit.

If the cold, treated water inside didn't smell, turn on the hot water and let it run a few minutes -- does it smell? If it does, chances are you have a sacrificial anode inside your hot water heater that is "coming apart at the seams" and throwing off a "rotten egg" odor. This obnoxious smell will drive you right out of your shower! The only solution is to remove the anode from the heater, voiding your warranty, or replace it with a new one made with aluminum alloy. This anode is placed in a (glass lined) hot water heater to seal up any cracks in the glass lining and prevent corrosion of the heater tank. You will find the anode on the top of the heater; remove the tin cover and insulation -- look for what looks like a pipe plug -- about 3/4 inch in size with a 1 1/16"fitting. Turn off the heat source and the water; have someone hold the tank to prevent it from turning, and unscrew the "plug". You will find that the 'plug' has a 30 - 40" long pipe (or what's left of one) attached to it. Hopefully, most of the rod is still attached -- just corroded. Replace that plug with a pipe plug and throw the anode away. If part of the rod has corroded off, and fallen into the heater, you may have to try to fish it out. (Good Luck!!) Either way, before you plug the hole, pour about 2 pints of chlorine bleach into the tank. This will kill the smell left in the heater. If, after a week or so, the smell returns, you must fish out the rod that is in the bottom of the tank. The bad news is that by removing the anode, your water heater warranty may be voided. Good Luck!

OK, It's my Raw Water That Smells -- Now What?
First, you must determine what is causing the smell, and how strong it is.

Minor, musty smell:
If it is a minor, or low-level smell, you MIGHT be able to solve it with a small, point-of-use carbon filter. You can place these types of filters on the water line going to the cold water where you draw you drinking water. Or, you might solve it with a whole-house filter on your incoming water line to filter all of the water inside your home.

Because carbon removes smells by ADsorbtion, i.e., the smell "sticks" or "adheres" to the carbon particles, you must be careful not to exceed the manufactures recommended flow -- some filters even have a flow restriction built in them. If you run water through them too fast, you will not remove the smells. Whenever you place a carbon filter in your water line, you must be sure to replace the element and sanitize the housing on a regular basis. Carbon filters remove organics from water, and the bacteria found in water like to eat organics -- the carbon filter is a nice, dark place, just full of food for them to grow and reproduce in. Regular and routine replacement will help prevent any buildup of bacteria in the cartridge.

Strong, rotten-egg smell:
Strong, rotten-egg odors in the raw water is usually the result of the decomposition of decaying underground organic deposits. As water is drawn to the surface, hydrogen sulfide gas can be released to the atmosphere. In strong concentrations, this gas is flammable and poisonous. It rapidly tarnishes silver, turning it black. It is toxic to aquarium fish in sufficient quantities. As little as 0.5 ppm hydrogen sulfide can be tasted in your drinking water.

Strong, musty smell:
If you are unlucky enough to have this problem, you should look for a company that has local experience in dealing with this problem. There are three basic ways to solve this problem for homeowners.

Filters
Installation of a whole house filter loaded with a media that is specific for hydrogen sulfide removal is successful many times. These types of filters must be recharged with chlorine or potassium permanganate. The removal capacities of these types of filters are usually fairly low, and must be sized to contain enough media to prevent premature exhaustion, and subsequent passage of the smell to service. It is also typical that the amount of hydrogen sulfide can fluctuate rapidly, causing great difficulty in sizing the unit. In addition, potassium permanganate is extremely "messy", and will leave stains that are very difficult to remove.

Feeders
Feeder systems consist of a small pump that injects small amounts of chlorine (usually) into the incoming water. The water must then be held for a short period of time to allow the hydrogen sulfide to precipitate out of the water. This tank should be designed in such a manner that the water that enters it will mix thoroughly with the water in the tank, to assure complete reaction. The water then should pass through a filter to remove both the precipitated matter and the chlorine remaining in the water. You should be aware, however, that whenever you mix chlorine with organic materials (remember where hydrogen sulfide come from!), the chances are very high that trihalomethanes (possible cancer causing cragginess) will be formed. Also, feeder maintenance is high, you should be prepared to "play" with the unit frequently.

Aeration
Aeration consists of breaking the incoming water into small droplets (spray) into the air, drawing fresh air through that spray, collecting the water into a storage tank, repressurize the water, passing it through a particulate filter to catch any particles that might be carried out of the storage tank. The air drawn though the spray must be vented outside the house -- remember, it is toxic and explosive. Although this system necessitates another pump to repressurize your supply, you are not adding any chemicals to your water, which makes it attractive. This system is low maintenance and no chemicals to purchase. Initial cost may be higher, however, and space requirements may be greater.

I have Red Stains in my Sinks and Other Fixtures -- Help!
Red stains are normally caused by iron in the water. You must test to determine the amount and the type of iron you have. Some types are: oxidized, soluble, colloidal, bacteria or organic-bound. All are a problem! It only takes 0.3 ppm to stain clothes, fixtures, etc.

Oxidized
This type of iron is usually found in a surface water supply. This is water that contains red particles when first drawn from the tap. The easiest way to remove this type of iron is by a fine mechanical filter. A cartridge type filter is usually not a good solution, due to the rapid plugging of the element. Another method or removal is by feeding a chemical into the water to cause the little particles of iron to clump together, and then fall to the bottom of a holding tank, where they can be flushed away.
Industrial Water Treatment

Soluble
Soluble iron is called "clear water" iron. After being drawn form the well and contacting the air, the iron oxidizes, or "rusts", forming reddish brown particles in the water. Depending on the amount of iron in the water, you may solve this problem with a water conditioner, or a combination of softener and filter. You may use an iron filter that recharges with chlorine or potassium permanganate, or feed chemicals to oxidize the iron and then filter it with a mechanical filter. You can sometimes hide the effects of soluble iron by adding chemicals that, in effect, coat the iron in the water and prevent it from reaching oxygen and oxidizing.

Colloidal
Colloidal iron is very small particles of oxidized iron suspended in the water. They are usually bound together with other substances. They resist agglomeration, i.e., the combining together of like substances forming larger, heavier, more filterable ones, due to the static electrical charge they carry. This iron looks more like a color than particles when held up in a clear glass, as they are so small. Treatment is usually one of two: Feed chlorine to oxidize the organic away from the iron, thus allowing agglomeration to occur, or, feeding polymers that attract the static charge on the particles, forming larger clumps of matter that is filterable.

Bacterial
Iron bacteria are living organisms that feed on the iron found in the water, pipes, fittings, etc. They build slime all along the water flow path. Occasionally, the slimy growths break free, causing extremely discolored water. If a large slug breaks loose, it can pass through to the point of use, plugging fixtures. These types of bacteria are becoming more common throughout the United States. If you suspect bacteria iron, look for a reddish or green slime buildup in your toilet flush tank. To confirm your suspicions, gather a sample of this slime and take it to your local health department, or water department for observation under the microscope. This type of iron problem is very hard to eliminate. You must kill the bacteria, usually by chlorination. You must use high amounts of chlorine throughout your plumbing system to kill all organisms. You may find it necessary to feed chlorine continuously to prevent re-growth. A filter alone will not solve this problem.
Industrial Water Treatment

Organic bound
When iron combines with tannins and other organics, complexes are formed that cannot be removed by ion exchange or oxidizing filters. This iron may be mistaken for colloidal iron. Test for tannins; if they are present, it is most likely combined with the iron. Low level amounts of this pest can be removed by use of a carbon filter, which absorbs the complex. You must replace the carbon bed when it becomes saturated. Higher amounts require feeding chlorine to oxidize the organics to break apart from the iron and cause both to precipitate into a filterable particle.

I Have Blue or Green Stains on my Fixtures -- Help!
You either have copper in your water supply, or you have copper pipes and corrosive water. Test for copper in your water. Test the pH, total dissolved solids content and the oxygen content of your water.

Copper
Copper can be removed by ion exchange, i.e., a water softener. The removal rate is about the same as it is for iron.

Copper pipes and corrosive water
If your pH is from 5 to 7, you may raise it by passing the water through a sacrificial media. By sacrificing calcium carbonate into the water, the corrosively will be reduced. If the pH is below 5, you will need to feed chemicals into the water.
Industrial Water Treatment

If the corrosively is caused by excess oxygen, the hot water will be much more corrosive than the cold. Treatment is by feeding polyphosphate or silicates to coat and protect the plumbing, or to aerate the water to release the excess oxygen.


The goal of water treatment is to reduce or remove all contaminants that are present in the water. No water, irrespective of the original source, should be assumed to be completely free of contaminants. The most common process used for treatment of surface water and ground water consists of sedimentation, coagulation, filtration, disinfection, conditioning, softening, fluoridation, removal of tastes and odors, corrosion control, algae control, and aeration.
Residential water treatment

Sedimentation allows any coarse particles to settle out. Coagulation consists of forming flocculent particles in a liquid by adding a chemical such as alum; these particles then settle to the bottom. Filtration, as the name implies, is the passing of the water through a porous media; the amount of removal is a function of the filtering media. Disinfection kills most harmful organisms and pathogenic bacteria—chlorine is the most commonly used disinfecting agent. Softening means removal of materials that cause "hardness," such as calcium and magnesium. Corrosion is an electrochemical reaction in which metal deteriorates when it comes in contact with air, water, or soil.

Drinking Water Treatment for Homes and commercial use.

In a typical municipal water treatment process, water flows through pumps to a rapid mix basin, then to a flocculation basin, to a settling basin, through filters to a clear well, then after disinfection, to storage tanks, and finally to the end users.

In areas that derive their water from rivers, pumps must be used since rivers are usually in low areas. Water enters the treatment plant at what is called the rapid-mix basin, where aluminum sulfate, polyelectrolytes, polymers, or lime and furic chloride are added as coagulants. The water flows next to the flocculation basins, where the coagulant mixes with the suspended solids. The coagulant is used to form suspended solids into clumps, or floc, which then settle out of the water. Floc forms when the particles from small solids gather to form larger particles. The water then slowly flows through settling basins where the floc settles from the water. Activated carbon is then added to the water to remove color, radioactivity, taste, and odor. Filtration then removes bacteria and turbidity from the water as it removes any remaining suspended solids and the activated carbon. Residential water treatment

The water then enters a clear well, where additional chlorine is added to kill any pathogens which may be present. A minimum free-chlorine residual of at least 0.2 ppm is recommended in plants requiring sanitary protection through the whole water distribution system. In water supplies that are fluoridated, 1 milligram per liter of fluoride is added.

At this stage in the process, the water is potable, palatable, and ready for consumption. The water is moved into elevated tanks for storage through pumps. The water flows down from these tanks into the community. Residential water treatment

Raw water and post-treatment water are tested for bacterial, physical, and chemical standards, particularly pH, color, and turbidity. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 established maximum contaminant levels, which are the national drinking water standards. These apply to any water distribution system that serves at least twenty-five units daily. Standards may vary from state to state, but they cannot be lower than those prescribed by the federal government.


Many water quality problems can now be treated in the home with water filters, distillers, softeners, reverse osmosis units, and chemical units. Being an educated consumer will help you choose a home treatment system for your specific water quality problems and allow you to interact knowledgeably with salespeople and water treatment specialists. Residential water treatment

If more than one water quality problem exists, choosing a treatment device can be especially confusing and complicated. Many times you cannot treat one problem without treating another first. Sometimes, two problems can be eliminated with one treatment. And, occasionally the treatment itself causes other problems.

For example, it is impractical to install a distiller to remove lead from your drinking water if your water is corrosive and continues to remove lead from the housepiping system. Similarly, a reverse osmosis unit installed to remove a pesticide contaminant will not work efficiency if the water also contains particles of insoluble minerals which can clog the membrane filter. Residential water treatment

Depending on your source of water, you may have to correct minor problems before you can address your concern. The following guidelines for water treatment are based on the fact that it is practical and efficient to treat some water quality problems before others. For instance, only after turbidity, acidity, hardness and iron have been controlled will activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis units, or distillers operate efficiency.

Remember, these steps are a simplification of water treatment. When considering home water treatment, consult with water treatment professionals at a reputable and certified dealership to determine the best treatment approach for your particular problem.

Drinking Water Treatment for Homes and commercial use.

Water Treatment Steps
Have water tested for contaminants.
Remove fine sand, silt, clay and other particles, using a mechanical filter or sedimentation.
Treat bacterial contamination, using chlorination or other forms of disinfection.
Remove hydrogen sulfide gas and other odor-causing substances, using chlorination, an oxidizing filter, or activated carbon.
Remove insoluble iron and manganese particles using:

a mechanical filter
a water softener, for small amounts of dissolved iron and manganese
an oxidizing filter for higher amounts of dissolved iron and manganese
a chlorinator followed by a mechanical filter or an activated carbon filter for very high amounts of dissolved iron and manganese.
Treat for hardness using a water softener.
Neutralize acidity using a neutralizing filter.
Remove volatile organic chemicals, trihalomethanes, certain pesticides and radon, using an activated carbon filter.
Remove heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, or cadmium, with reverse osmosis units or a distiller.


Glossary of Water & Wastewater Terms
Drinking Water Treatment for Homes and Industries

Click on the letters below to find the word you are looking for. Residential water treatment

A
Absorb - To soak up or take in.
Acidic - Containing an excess of acids, or hydrogen ions (H+) Having a pH less than 7. The opposite of basic. A lemon is acidic.
Activated Sludge - Sludge floc produced in raw or settled sewage by the growth of bacteria and other organisms in the presence of dissolved oxygen.
Activated Sludge Process - A biological sewage treatment process in which a mixture of sewage and activated sludge is agitated and aerated. Activated sludge separates from the treated sewage by settling and is disposed of or returned to the process as needed. The treated wastewater overflows to the next treatment stage.
Aeration - Contact between air and a liquid by diffusion or mechanical mixing.
Aerobic Bacteria - Bacteria which require oxygen for their growth.
Agar - A gel-like substance containing nutrients used for growing bacteria for study.
Alkaline - Also referred to as basic. Having a pH greater than 7. The opposite of acid. i.e. Dishwashing detergent
Ammonia - A chemical which combines with chlorine in the water treatment process to form chloramine, a long-lasting disinfectant.
Anaerobic Bacteria - Bacteria which grow in the absence of oxygen and get oxygen from breaking down complex substances.
Aquifer - Any formation of rock that contains water. Usually underground and formed by layers of soil and rock. May supply water to a well or a spring.
Atmosphere - The layer of gases surrounding the earth. Residential water treatment

B
Bacteria - Single-cell microorganisms occurring naturally almost everywhere. They range from beneficial, to harmless, to deadly. Too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Basic - Also referred to as alkaline. Having a pH greater than 7. The opposite of acid. i.e. Dishwashing detergent
Biochemical Oxygen Demand - (BOD) The quantity of oxygen utilized in the metabolism of organic matter in a specified time and at a specified temperature. It is determined by the availability of a material as a biological food and by the amount of oxygen utilized by the microorganisms during oxidation.
Buffer - A substance that alters the pH of a solution by neutralizing acids and bases. This process is called 'buffering.' Residential water treatment

C
Carbon Activated - Carbon powder is added to the water treatment process to absorb taste and odor, most often in the spring.
Chloramine - A long-lasting disinfectant formed by ammonia and chlorine, A small amount of the disinfectant remains in the drinking water to kill any bacteria in the pipes running between the water treatment plant and your home.
Chlorine - A liquid or gas chemical used to disinfect water. Chlorine can destroy harmful microorganisms and reduce some tastes and odors in water.
Cholera - A dangerous disease caused by a type of bacteria that causes intestinal disorders. This bacterium is often found in untreated water.
Clarifier - Drinking water is treated in clarifiers which look like huge swimming pools. Clarifiers are used to settle out dirt and alum sludge.
Colonies - A group of the same kind living or growing together. i.e. Bacteria colony
Conservation - Keeping, protecting or preserving a resource. Using natural resources wisely.
Contaminant - Anything added to a substance that makes the substance unfit for use. i.e. motor oil is a contaminant in drinking water but not for a car engine.
Cross Connection - A connecting pipe in plumbing, through which drinking water could be contaminated, polluted, or infected.
Cyst - A microorganism with a tough protective covering.
Drinking Water Treatment for Homes and commercial use. Residential water treatment

D
Decomposition of Sewage - The break down of the organic matter in sewage through aerobic and anaerobic bacterial processes.
Denitrification - The reduction of nitrates in a solution by biochemical action.
Detention Time - The theoretical length of time for water to pass through a basin or tank, if all the water moves with the same speed.
Digester - A tank in which the solids from sewage sedimentation are stored to allow total aerobic or anaerobic decomposition to occur.
Dilute - To water down and make less concentrated.
Disinfectant - A substance used to purify water by removing or killing contaminants.
Dissolved Oxygen - (DO) The amount of oxygen dissolved in sewage, water, or any other liquid. Usually expressed in mg/L or percent of saturation.
Distillation - A process used to purify water by evaporation; boiling it and then collecting the steam as it condenses. Most pollutants remain in the unevaporated water.
Dysentery - A disease caused by a type of bacteria, characterized by severe diarrhea and loss of body fluids.
Drinking Water Treatment for Homes and Industries . Residential water treatment

E
Ecosystem - All the living and non-living things that interact together in a given area.
Effluent - Liquid waste discharged into the environment. i.e. sewage, liquid industrial waste or smoke.
Eutrophication - The process by which a pond or lake becomes rich in dissolved nutrients. This encourages growth of oxygen-depleting plant life, resulting in harm to other organisms. Pollutants such as sewage and fertilizers speed up the process.
Evaporation - The process by which water becomes vapor in the atmosphere.

F
Facultative - Bacteria organisms having the capacity to live under multiple environmental conditions (aerobic vs. anaerobic).
Filter - A screening device or porous substance used to remove solid material from liquids. Filters, made out of a layer a coal and a layer of sand, trap dirt or bacteria in the water treatment process.
Floc - The chemical alum attracts dirt and silt particles to form larger particles called floc. Floc looks like big snowflakes floating in water which settle in the clarifiers and are later removed as sludge.
Flotation - A method of raising suspended matter to the surface of the liquid in a tank as scum - by aeration, the evolution of gas, chemicals, electrolysis, heat, or bacterial decomposition - and the subsequent removal of the scum by skimming.
Fluoride - A chemical compound added to drinking water to help prevent cavities.
Food Chain - The transfer of energy from its primary source (plants) to larger animals.
Food Web - An interlocking pattern of food chains.
Fungus/Fungi - Plants lacking chlorophyll (green pigment) which include yeasts, molds, smuts and mushrooms. Residential water treatment

G
Giardia - A parasitic microorganism carried by animals in the form of a cyst. It is spread in animal feces and causes a disease commonly known as Beaver Fever.
Grit - The heavy mineral matter in water or sewage, such as gravel. Residential water treatment

I
Incubator - A small oven-like appliance that is used to heat and grow bacteria samples.
Intake - The point where water enters a channel or pipe into a treatment plant.
Irrigate - To water agriculture crops. Residential water treatment

M
Microorganism - Small living creatures that you need a microscope to see, i.e. bacteria, protozoa and algae.
Mixed Liquor - A mixture of activated sludge and sewage in the aeration tank undergoing activated sludge treatment.
Molecule - The smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more atoms.

N
Nitrification - The oxidation of ammonia nitrogen into nitrate through biochemical action.
Non-Point Source - Pollution which enters the environment from a non-specific site. This is the most common form of water pollution and the most difficult to control. It includes runoff from farms, logging operations, construction sites, golf courses, landfills, gardens, streets and parking lots.
Drinking Water Treatment for Homes and commercial use.

O
Oligotrophic - Lakes that are abundant in oxygen and contain few plant nutrients. Water is usually clear with little weed or algae growth. Mountain lakes are often oligotrophic.
Organic - Pertaining to, or derived from living organisms.
Ozone - Three molecules of oxygen bound together - 03. The oxygen we normally breathe has 2 molecules of oxygen bound together - 02. Ozone is used as a disinfectant in some water treatment plants.

P
Pathogenic - Something which can cause disease.
pH "power of Hydrogen" - On the pH scale, a reading of 7 is neutral. Below 7 is acidic with lower numbers indicating greater acidity. Above 7 is basic, with higher ratings showing higher alkalinity. Lemons, for example, are acidic and many detergents are basic.
Photosynthesis - The process plants use to get energy from the sun. Plants use the sun's energy and the chlorophyll (green stuff) found in their leaves to produce the food they need to live.
Point Source - Pollution entering the environment at a specific site, i.e. a factory discharging effluent into a river or a person dumping used motor oil down a storm sewer.
Pollutant - Anything added to a substance that makes the substance impure. i.e. motor oil in drinking water.
Precipitation - Water from rain, hail, sleet, or snow.
Pump - Mechanical device allowing water to be lifted or raised. Residential water treatment

R
Reservoir - A storage tank holding one to two days' supply of drinking water.
Resource - A valuable supply of natural materials, i.e. oil, water, coal and trees.
Riparian - Land bordering a river, lake or stream.
Runoff - Rain or melted snow which is not absorbed into the soil, but flows across land into streams, lakes and rivers.
Drinking Water Treatment for Homes and Industries

S
Screen - A device for removing large suspended or floating debris from wastewater.
Sector - Part of a society or a nation's economy, i.e. the housing sector, the education sector.
Sediment - Matter which settles to the bottom of a tank, pond, river or ocean.
Sedimentation - The process by which particles suspended in water are allowed to settle to the bottom of a lake, river or container. Dirt, solid minerals and some bacteria are removed from drinking water through the sedimentation process.
Sewage - Solid and liquid waste including human feces and urine.
Sewage Treatment, Tertiary - Additional treatment of biologically treated sewage to reduce nutrients or other constituents.
Sewer - A pipe carrying wastewater or drainage water.
Sludge - Floc (alum + dirt) or calcium carbonate settled on the bottom of a water treatment clarifier it is called sludge. It is also the accumulated settled solids deposited from sewage in tanks or basins, and containing water to form a semi liquid mass. The sludge is removed and disposed of.
Sludge Volume Index - (SVI) The volume in milliliters occupied by one gram of dry solids after the aerated mixed liquor settles 30 minutes.
Stakeholder - Person or group with an investment or interest in something such as a business or industry.
Surface Water - Water on the surface of land, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Sustainable - Extracting natural resources without destroying the ecological balance of an area, i.e. sustainable development.

T
Transpiration - The process by which green plants give off water through pores in their leaves. Water is a by-product of the photosynthesis process.
Turbidity - The amount of solid material floating in water. It may be organic (from plants and animals) or inorganic (silt and clay).
Typhoid - A potentially fatal intestinal disease. Bacteria usually enter a human's body in food or drink. In Canada and the United States, typhoid from water sources has been brought under control by filtration and chlorinating.

U
Ultraviolet - (UV) Exposing drinking water or wastewater to ultraviolet light to deactivate harmful microorganisms ability to reporoduce, rendering them harmless.
Drinking Water Treatment for Homes and Industries

W
Waste Stabilization Pond - (or Lagoon) Any pond, natural or artificial, receiving raw or partially treated sewage or waste, in which stabilization occurs through sunlight, air and microorganisms.
Wastewater - Water from homes and businesses that flows down the drain or toilet.
Water Meter - An instrument for measuring the quantity of water flowing into a building.
Water Treatment - A method of cleaning water for a specific purpose, such as drinking.
Water Vapour - The gaseous state of water.
Watershed - The entire region draining into a river, river system or body of water.
Well - A pit, hole, or shaft dug into the earth to tap an underground supply of water
Residential water treatment