Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning P

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

pollutant

Any substance that causes an impairment (reduction) of water quality to a degree that has an adverse effect on any beneficial use of the water. Pollutants may include dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste.