Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning R

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

reaeration (RE-air-A-shun)

The introduction of air through forced air diffusers into the lower layers of the reservoir. As the air bubbles form and rise through the water, oxygen from the air dissolves into the water and replenishes the dissolved oxygen (DO). The rising bubbles also cause the lower waters to rise to the surface where oxygen from the atmosphere is transferred to the water. This is sometimes called surface reaeration.