Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning D
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
detention time
The actual or theoretical (calculated) time required for water to fill a tank at a given flow; pass through a tank at a given flow; or remain in a settling basin, flocculating basin, rapid-mix chamber, or storage tank.
detention time (h) = basin volume (gal)/ flow rate (gal/d) x 24 h/d
or
detention time (h) = basin volume (m3)/ Flow Rate (m3 /d) x 24 h/d