Leaching-a process where soluble materials such as nutrients or salts in the soil (as well as contaminants) are washed into lower layers of soil or are dissolved and carried away by water.
Liquid-a state of matter that exhibits readiness to flow, little or no tendency to disperse, and relatively incompressible.
Microorganisms-(also microbes, bacteria) tiny living organisms seen only with a microscope; some, not all, may cause health problems. Harmful e varieties eliminated during water treatment process.
Milligram (mg)-One-thousandth of a gram.
Milligrams per liter-(mg/l)-unit of the concentration of a constituent in water. 1 mg/l is 0.001 gram of the substancein 1 liter of water. Approximately equal to one partper million (ppm). A common unit of measurement in water quality.
Monitoring- specific testing that all public water systems must perform on a frequent and regular basis for detection and safety purposes. (Over 100 daily tests are made at the Tap into Quality Valley water plants to assure purity!)
Water Resevoir
Municipal water system-owned or operated by a municipality such as a city or town; also a public water system.
Organic matter-substances from plants and animals (living organisms); based on carbon compounds.
Osmosis-water molecules move through a fine membrane, leaving the salt on one side and allowing pure water to pass through to the other. Reverse osmosis is used to desalinate saline water.
