Vocabulary for Water Treatment Plant Operator Test

Actuator

A component of a machine that is responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism or system, for example, by opening a valve.

Air Binding

The clogging of a filter, pipe, or pump due to the presence of air released from water.

Algae

Microscopic plants which contain chlorophyll and live floating or suspended in water.

Alkalinity

The capacity of water to neutralize acids.

Amperage

The amount of electricity flow, similar to the flow of water in gallons per minute.

Aerator

A treatment device the brings air into contact with water for the purpose of transferring gases from the air into the liquid phase.

Ambient Temperature

The temperature of the surrounding air.

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)

The rate at which organisms use the oxygen in water while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic conditions.

Backwashing

The process of reversing the flow of water through filter media to remove accumulated contaminants and debris.

Bacteria

Living organisms, microscopic in size, which usually consist of a single cell.

Bearing

A machine element that constrains relative motion to only the desired motion and reduces friction between moving parts.

Brownian Motion

The random movement of particles suspended in a fluid medium resulting from molecular bombardment.

Buffer Capacity

A measure of the capacity of a solution or liquid to neutralize acids or bases.

Centrifuge

A mechanical device that uses centrifugal or rotational forces or separate solids from liquids.

Circuit

The complete path of an electric circuit.

Clarifier

A large circular or rectangular tank or basin in which water is held for a period of time during which the heavier suspended solids settle to the bottom.

Coagulation

The clumping together of very fine particles into larger particles caused by the use of chemicals.

Conductivity

A measure of the ability of a solution to carry an electric current.

Coupling

A device for connecting parts of machinery.

Cross Connection

The physical connection of a safe or potable water supply with another water supply of unknown or contaminated quality or such that the potable water could be contaminated or polluted.

Direct Current

An electric current that flows in one direction only.

Drain

A pipe, conduit, or receptacle in a building that carries liquids by gravity to waste.

Drought

A prolonged period of dry weather that causes a serious or prolonged deficiency or shortage of water.

Electric Motor

An electrical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Gear

A rotating machine part having cut teeth, or cogs, which mesh with another toothed part to transmit torque.

Hydrogen Sulfide

A toxic gas that has a very noticeable rotten-egg odor.

Impeller

A rotating set of vancs in a pump or compressor designed to pump or move water or air.

Jogging

The process of frequently starting and stopping an electric motor.

Mechanical Seal

A method of containing fluid within vessel (typically pumps, mixers, etc) where a rotating shafts passes through a stationary housing or occasionally, where the housing rotates around the shaft.

pH

A measure of acidity or alkalinity of water soluble substance (pH stands for ‘potential of hydrogen’)

Pump

A device that moves fluids, or sometimes slurries, by mechanical action.

Range

The spread from minimum to maximum values which an instrument is designed to measure.

Starter (motor)

A device used to start up large motors gradually to avoid severe mechanical shock to driven machine and to prevent disturbance to the electrical lines.

Stator

The stationary portion of an electric generator or motor, especially of an induction motor.

Turbidity

The cloudy appearance of water caused by the presence of suspected and colloidal.

Valve

A device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways.

Viscosity

A measure of the capacity of a substance to internally resist flow.

Voltage

The electrical pressure available to cause a flow current when an electrical circuit is closed.

Volute

A spiral casing for a centrifugal pump.

Weir

A wall or plate placed in an open channel and used to measure the flow of water.