DEFINITIONS
Advanced treatment - A level of treatment that removes
additional contaminants that have not been removed by secondary
treatment.
Community wastewater-Treatment system - The collection
of wastewater from many locations by using a series of underground
sewer pipes and a central treatment facility.
Effluent - Water that
flows from a treatment facility after the wastewater has been treated.
Microorganisms -
Small living organisms, including bacteria. Some species consume the
organic part of sewage.
Primary treatment - The first stage of the wastewater-treatment
process at the facility in which mechanical procedures are used
to remove pollutants.
Reclaimed water - Effluent that is used
for irrigation or other purposes.
Secondary treatment - The
second stage in wastewater treatment in which microorganisms consume
the organic
parts
of the waste.
Sewer - A system of underground pipes that
collect and deliver wastewater to treatment facilities or streams.
Suspended solids -
Undissolved waste particles carried by the water.
Wastewater -
Polluted water that has been used in homes, schools, businesses,
and industries
that is not suitable for reuse
prior to treatment.
Wastewater-treatment facility -
A structure with a series of tanks, screens, filters, and
other processes used
to clean wastewater before it is returned to the environment.
Water conservation -
The efficient use or saving of water.
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