APES Chapter 9 - Water Resources and Water Use

Aquifer

A permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater.

Unconfined aquifer

An aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow.

Confined aquifer

An aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow.

Water table

The uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil.

Groundwater recharge

A process by which water percolates through the soil and works its way into an aquifer.

Spring

A natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up to the ground surface.

Artesian well

A well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer.

Cone of depression

An area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well.

Saltwater intrusion

An infiltration of salt water in an area where groundwater pressure has been reduced from extensive drilling of wells.

Floodplain

The land adjacent to a river.

Impermeable surface

Pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration.

Levee

An enlarged bank built up on each side of a river.

Dike

A structure built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land.

Dam

A barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water.

Reservoir

The water body created by damming a river or stream.

Fish ladder

A stair-like structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam.

Aqueduct

A canal or ditch used to carry water from one location to another.

Desalination

The process of removing the salt from salt water. (Also known as "desalinization.")

Distillation

A process of desalination in which water is boiled and the resulting steam is captured and condensed to yield pure water.

Reverse osmosis

A process of desalination in which water is forced through a thin semipermeable membrane at high pressure.

Water footprint

The total daily per capita use of fresh water.

Hydroponic agriculture

The cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in a nutrientrich solution.

Tiered water-pricing system

A water allocation system that charges rates that increase with the amount of water consumed.

Xeriscaping

A style of landscaping that removes waterintensive vegetation from lawns and replaces it with more water-efficient native landscaping.

Gray water

Wastewater from baths, showers, bathroom sinks and washing machines.

Contaminated water

Wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks, and dishwashers.