Water Sources, Treatment & System – Vocabulary Review

A set of 30 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on water sources and treatment.

Evaporation

The change of state of water from a liquid to a water-vapor gas in the water cycle.

Condensation

The process in which water vapor changes back into liquid droplets, forming clouds, fog, dew, or frost.

Transportation / Advection

Atmospheric movement of solid, liquid, and gaseous water; carries ocean-evaporated moisture over land.

Sublimation

Direct change of ice or snow (solid) into water vapor (gas) without passing through the liquid phase.

Precipitation

Any water that falls to Earth—rain, snow, sleet, drizzle, or hail.

Transpiration

Evaporation of liquid water from plants and trees into the atmosphere; ~90 % of water taken up by roots.

Runoff

Water remaining on the surface that flows into streams, rivers, lakes, or oceans after precipitation.

Infiltration

Entry of water through the soil surface into the ground.

Percolation

Downward and lateral movement of water within the soil once it has infiltrated.

Ground Water

Water that stands in or moves through subsurface soil and rock formations.

Storm Water

Portion of rainfall or precipitation that runs off over the earth’s surface immediately after a storm.

Surface Water

Rainfall or precipitation that runs off over the ground surface into bodies of water.

Raw Water

Water to be treated; natural source water that is never chemically pure H₂O.

Treated Water

Water that has undergone purification processes to meet quality standards for use or consumption.

Level I Water Supply (Point Source)

A protected well or developed spring with an outlet but no distribution system; intended for rural areas.

Level II Water Supply (Communal Faucet System)

Source, reservoir, piped network, and communal standposts; one faucet serves 4–6 households in rural or fringe areas.

Level III Water Supply (Waterworks System)

Source, reservoir, piped network, and individual household taps; suited for densely urban areas.

Turbidity

Suspended insoluble matter in water (also called suspended solids); often associated with color from decaying vegetation.

Dissolved Solids

Solutes with particle diameter <0.000001 mm; includes dissolved salts and organic materials in water.

Dissolved Gases

Gases such as O₂, CO₂, and H₂S that dissolve in water and can be released by heat or pressure changes.

Alkalinity

Measure of dissolved earth minerals and a water sample’s capacity to neutralize acids; key to scale-forming tendency.

Hardness

Concentration of calcium, magnesium, iron, and other metals that give water a ‘hard’ feel and reduce soap lathering.

pH

Scale (0–14) indicating hydrogen-ion concentration;

Scale

Solid mineral deposit precipitated on pipe walls, reducing heat transfer and increasing friction losses.

Microbiological Fouling

Growth of bacteria, algae, fungi, etc., forming slime on piping surfaces under favorable temperature, pH, and nutrient conditions.

Corrosion

Electrochemical reaction between water and pipe material leading to metal loss and system failure.

Aeration

Gas-transfer process that brings water into contact with air to remove volatile gases and oxidize iron/manganese.

Schmutzdecke

Biological layer on a slow sand filter where microbial communities trap and digest contaminants.

Reverse Osmosis

Pressure-driven membrane process that removes salts and macromolecules from water.

Chlorination

Application of chlorine as the most common, cost-effective disinfectant in municipal water supply systems.