There are thousands of terms and esoteric framings in the water industry. As the industry works to attract the required number of new talent (the industry is facing ~30% attrition within the technician rank) making the terms more accessible is necessary. So here we share a list of terms and summary definitions of those terms. We hope you find it helpful.
- Biofilm: A thin layer of microorganisms that adhere to a surface in a water distribution system, which can cause corrosion and affect water quality.
- Booster Pump: A pump installed in a water system to increase water pressure and maintain adequate flow rates.
- Booster Station: A facility that houses booster pumps to increase water pressure and flow rates in a distribution system.
- Colebrook White Equation: An empirical formula used to estimate friction losses in fluid flow through pipes.
- Contingency Sample Collection: The process of collecting water samples in response to a specific event, such as a water quality issue or system failure.
- Criticality Analysis: A method to identify and prioritize the most critical components of a water distribution system to ensure its reliability and resilience.
- Darcy Weisbach Formula: A formula used to calculate head loss due to friction in a pipe flow.
- Decay Coefficients: Factors used to estimate the reduction of a substance’s concentration in water over time due to processes like biological degradation or chemical reactions.
- Demand Loading: The process of estimating and incorporating the water demand at different locations within a water distribution system model.
- Digital Terrain Models: Digital representations of the earth’s surface, including elevation data, used to inform water distribution system design and analysis.
- Disinfection By-Products: Chemical compounds formed when disinfectants react with organic materials in water, potentially posing health risks.
- Distribution System Testing: The process of testing the performance and integrity of a water distribution system, including water quality and pressure tests.
- District Meter Areas: Defined areas within a water distribution system used for monitoring and management purposes, typically containing a single flow meter.
- Downsurge: A sudden drop in pressure in a pipe, which can cause water hammer and damage to the distribution system.
- EPANET: A software tool developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for modeling and analyzing water distribution systems.
- Eulerian Fixed Grid Method of Characteristics: A numerical method for solving fluid flow problems, particularly in water distribution systems.
- Fill Time: The time required to fill a water storage tank or reservoir.
- Flow Evaluation: The assessment of water flow characteristics in a distribution system, including flow rates, velocities, and pressure.
- Free Chlorine: The amount of chlorine available in water to act as a disinfectant.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Computer systems used to capture, store, analyze, and present spatial data, including water distribution system components and infrastructure.
- Hazen-Williams Formula: A widely-used empirical formula for estimating head loss due to friction in water flowing through pipes.
- Head-Flow: A relationship between the flow rate and pressure head in a water distribution system.
- Hydrant Flow Test: A test to measure the flow rate and pressure at a fire hydrant, used to assess the performance of a water distribution system.
- Hydraulic Calibration: The process of adjusting a hydraulic model to match observed data from a real-world water distribution system.
- Hydraulic Data: Information on water flow rates, pressures, and velocities in a water distribution system.
- Hydraulic Modeling: The use of mathematical models to simulate and analyze the behavior of water distribution systems.
- Hydraulic Test: A test to measure the performance of a water distribution system, such as pressure and flow rates.
- Inlet Pipes: Pipes that convey water into a water distribution system or facility.
- Joukowsky Relation: A fundamental equation that describes the relationship between pressure changes and fluid velocity changes in a water hammer event
- Kinematic Similarity (water) (continued): geometric parameters are proportional, which can be used to scale and compare different water distribution system scenarios or designs.
- Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS): A software system used to manage laboratory data and processes, including water quality testing results and sample tracking.
- Lagrangian Wave Characteristic Method: A numerical method for solving fluid flow problems that involves tracking fluid particles as they move through the system.
- LIDAR: A remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed, high-resolution maps of the earth’s surface, including topography and infrastructure.
- Line Friction Orifice: A device installed in a pipe to create a controlled pressure drop and help regulate flow in a water distribution system.
- Main Flushing Programs: Planned maintenance programs that involve flushing water mains to remove sediment and biofilm, improving water quality and system performance.
- Mass Balance: A principle stating that the total mass entering a system must equal the mass leaving the system plus any changes in mass within the system, commonly applied in water distribution system analysis.
- Maximum Pressure: The highest pressure that can occur in a water distribution system under normal operating conditions.
- Maximum Residence Time: The longest time water spends in a distribution system before reaching a consumer, which can impact water quality and disinfection effectiveness.
- Minimum Day Demand Conditions: The lowest daily water demand typically experienced in a water distribution system, used for system design and analysis.
- Moody Diagram: A graphical representation of the relationship between pipe flow parameters, such as Reynolds number, relative roughness, and friction factor, used to estimate friction losses in pipes.
- Non-Revenue Water: Water that is produced but not billed to customers, including losses from leaks, meter inaccuracies, and unauthorized consumption.
- Outage Planning: The process of scheduling and coordinating maintenance, repair, or replacement activities that may require temporary service interruptions in a water distribution system.
- Pressure Zone: A defined area within a water distribution system where water pressure is maintained within a specific range, often separated by pressure-reducing valves or booster stations.
- Pump Energy Management: Strategies and technologies used to optimize energy consumption and efficiency in pump stations.
- Pump Stations: Facilities that house pumps for moving water through a distribution system or to a higher elevation.
- Real Time Modeling: The use of hydraulic and water quality models to analyze and predict the behavior of a water distribution system in real-time, supporting operational decision-making and emergency response.
- Reliability Analysis: An assessment of a water distribution system’s ability to maintain service and deliver water to customers under various conditions and events.
- Reservoirs: Water storage facilities used to store and manage water supply in a distribution system.
- Safe Drinking Water Act: A U.S. federal law that sets standards for drinking water quality and regulates public water systems to ensure the safety of drinking water.
- SCADA: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, a computer system used to monitor and control water distribution system infrastructure and processes.
- System Performance Analysis: The assessment of a water distribution system’s performance in terms of pressure, flow, water quality, and other parameters.
- Tanks: Water storage facilities used to store and manage water supply in a distribution system, such as elevated tanks or ground-level storage tanks.
- THM Formation: Trihalomethane formation, a group of disinfection by-products formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water.
- Throttle Control Valves: Valves that regulate flow or pressure in a water distribution system by partially closing or opening the valve.
- Total Chlorine (continued): present as both a disinfectant and in the form of disinfection by-products.
- Total Dynamic Head: The sum of the static head, pressure head, and friction head in a water distribution system, used to determine the energy requirements for pumping water.
- Unidirectional Flushing: A systematic and controlled flushing process used to clean water mains by isolating sections of the distribution system and forcing water to flow in a single direction at high velocities.
- Valve: A device used to control the flow of water in a distribution system by opening, closing, or partially obstructing flow.
- Valve Operation: The process of operating and maintaining valves in a water distribution system to ensure proper function and system performance.
- Water Age: The time elapsed since water entered a distribution system, which can impact water quality and disinfection effectiveness.
- Water Consumption Data: Information on the volume and patterns of water usage by consumers within a water distribution system.
- Water Distribution Distribution System Models: Mathematical models used to simulate and analyze water distribution systems, incorporating factors such as demand, infrastructure, and operational conditions.
- Water Hammer: A sudden increase in pressure caused by a rapid change in the velocity of water in a distribution system, which can damage pipes and other system components.
- Water Loss: The volume of water that escapes a distribution system through leaks, meter inaccuracies, or unauthorized consumption.
- Water Model Equilibration: The process of adjusting and refining a water distribution system model to ensure it accurately represents the real-world system.
- Water Pressure Loggers: Instruments used to measure and record water pressure data in a distribution system over time.
- Water Quality Modeling: The use of mathematical models to predict and analyze the behavior of water quality parameters in a distribution system.
- Water Quality Testing and Monitoring: The process of collecting and analyzing water samples to ensure compliance with water quality standards and identify potential issues.
- Water Risk Management: The process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to water supply, quality, and infrastructure in a water distribution system.
- Water Storage Facility: A structure or area used to store water for later use in a distribution system, such as reservoirs or tanks.
- Water System Models: Mathematical models used to simulate and analyze various aspects of water distribution systems, including hydraulics, water quality, and system performance.
- Water Transmission Models: Models that simulate and analyze the movement of water through a distribution system, accounting for factors such as pipe networks, pumps, and valves.
- Water Treatment Plant: A facility that processes raw water to meet drinking water standards by removing contaminants and disinfecting the water before distribution.
- Zone Boundary Selection: The process of defining boundaries for pressure zones or district meter areas within a water distribution system to facilitate management and monitoring.
- Zone Valve: A valve used to isolate or control water flow between different zones or pressure areas within a water distribution system.