Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning Z

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zoogleal mat (ZOE-uh-glee-al)

A complex population of organisms that form a slime growth on the sand filter media and break down the organic matter in wastewater. These slimes consist of living organisms feeding on the wastes in wastewater, dead organisms, silt, and other debris. On a properly loaded and operating sand filter, these mats are so thin as to be invisible to the naked eye. Slime growth is a more common term. Also see biomass.