Studied by 4 people
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
a 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
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 nutrient rich 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 water intensive 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
Note 
Flashcard (22)