Glossary of Water and Wastewater Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z5 random terms from our glossary
harmful physical agent
Any chemical substance, biological agent (bacteria, virus, or fungus), or physical stress (noise, heat, cold, vibration, repetitive motion, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, hypo- or hyperbaric pressure) that meets any of the following criteria: is regulated by any state or federal law or rule due to a hazard to health; is listed in the latest printed edition of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS); has yielded positive evidence of an acute or chronic health hazard in human, animal, or other biological testing conducted by, or known to, the employer; and is described by a safety data sheet (SDS) available to the employer that indicates that the material may pose a hazard to human health. Also see toxic substance, acute health effect and chronic health effect.
aqueous (ACK-wee-us)
Something made up of, similar to, or containing water; watery.
bucketing out
An expression used to describe removal of debris from a manhole with a pail or bucket on a rope. In high-velocity cleaning of wastewater collection pipes, debris is washed into the downstream manhole. Removal of this debris by scooping it into pails and hauling it out is called bucketing out.
manhole ring
A metal ring or frame with a ledge to accommodate the manhole lid; located at the surface of the ground or street. Also called a manhole frame.
bypassing
The act of causing all or part of a flow to be diverted from its usual channels. In a wastewater treatment plant, overload flows should be bypassed into a holding pond for future treatment.
