Saline water-water containing significant amounts of dissolved solids.
Freshwater: Less than 1,000 parts per million (ppm)
Slightly saline: 1,000-3,000 ppm
Moderately saline: 3,000-10,000ppm
Highly saline: 10,000-35,000ppm
(Seawater is 35,000 parts per million, distilled water is 0 ppm)
Sample-water analyzed for regulated testing purposes. Taken from source water, within and leaving the treatment facility.
Sediment-soil and rock particles in water that settle out as water slows down.
Sedimentation Tanks
Sedimentation tanks-(also settling tanks)-constructed to settle particles and sediments from the raw water, cleaning it for filtering in the next treatment step.
Seepage-slow movement of water through small cracks or pores in rocks and soil.
Solvent-a substance that dissolves other substances to form a solution. Water dissolves more substances than any other and is known as the universal solvent.
Source water-in its natural state, before any treatment for drinking.
Specific conductance-a measure of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current. Used to approximate the total dissolved solids (TDS) content of water. A basic field test in water quality; distilled water does not conduct electricity, sea water is extremely conductive.
Spring-water flowing naturally from the Earth; volume of water can vary from a seep or trickle to a huge flow, i.e. Thunder River, Grand Canyon, AZ. (If under pressure it is an artesianspring.)
Steam-the vapor phase of water.
Stream-a water course with flowing water, the smaller relative of a river. (Intermittentstreams flow for only part of the year, as after the spring snow melt or rains.)
Surface water-water on the Earth's surface, such as in river, stream, lakes and reservoirs. (Ground water would be under the surface.)
Tap-a valve and spout used to regulate delivery of a fluid at the end of a pipe.
Thirst-sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat; the need/desire to drink.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)-minerals present in water, measured in ppm, parts per million or by mg/l, milligrams per liter.
Transpiration-process by which water that is absorbed by plants (usually by the roots) is evaporated into the atmosphere from the plant surfaces, such as leaf pores. (See evapotranspiration and water cycle/hydrologic cycle.)
Treatment-process of converting the raw water from the SRP canals through sedimentation, filtering, disinfection and testing at TIQ Valley water treatment plantsto produce finished water of pure quality at your tap.
Turbidity-presence of very tiny particles in water that give it a cloudy appearance. Removal of particles in treatment results in clear water.
