Glossary Technical terms often appear in our advisories and press releases. To help you understand these materials better, below are some terminologies and definitions.
Aquifer	a geological formation that stores and/or transmits enough water for people's use
Desalination	the removal of salts from saline water to provide freshwater
Effluent	water that flows from a sewage treatment plant after it has been treated
Energization	the release of water supply into the pipe network
pH	a measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of water. Water with a pH of 7 is neutral; lower pH levels indicate increasing acidity, while pH levels higher than 7 indicate increasingly basic solutions.
Potable water	water that is suitable for drinking
Pounds per square inch	a unit of measure for liquid pressure.
Reservoir	a natural or manmade structure for storing, regulating, and controlling water
Septic tank	a tank used to contain domestic wastes to allow the settling of solids prior to distribution to a leach field for soil absorption. Septic tanks are used when a sewer line is not available to carry them to a treatment plant.
Sewage treatment plant	a facility that receives wastewater from domestic sources and removes materials that damage water quality and threaten public health and safety when discharged into flowing bodies of water
Sewer	a system of underground pipes that collect and deliver wastewater to treatment facilities
Surface water	water that is on the Earth's surface, such as in a stream, river, lake, or reservoir.
Turbidity	a measure of the cloudiness of water. Caused by the presence of suspended matter, turbidity shelters harmful microorganisms and reduces the effectiveness of disinfecting compounds.
Wastewater	water used in homes, industries, and businesses that is not fit for reuse unless it is treated.