| Acid |
Opposite of alkaline. An acid is a substance that has a pH of less than 7, which is neutral. |
| Acid sulfate soils
|
The name given to soils and sediments containing iron sulphides, the most common being pyrite. When exposed to air due to drainage or disturbance, these soils produce sulphuric acid, often releasing toxic quantities of iron, aluminium and heavy metals. |
| Activated carbon absorption |
A process of using activated carbon to absorb dissolved organic matter from water or wastewater. |
| Activated sludge |
The term given to the mass of active micro-organisms produced by, and used in, the aerobic wastewater treatment plant system. |
| Activated sludge process |
A system for treating wastewater by growing bacteria and other micro-organisms (biomass) mixed with wastewater in a tank (bioreactor). When raw wastewater is aerated over a period of time the bacteria form a grainy light brown sludge.
Because the sludge is biologically active it is called ‘activated sludge’. The biomass is maintained in suspension by aeration and/or mechanical mixing in the bioreactor. The biomass is separated from the liquid recycled water in a settling tank (clarifier) or by filtration (see MBR) and fed back to the bioreactor to maintain the treatment process.
Excess biomass called Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) is removed (wasted) from the bioreactor to maintain the system in balance. |
| ADWG |
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2004) published by the National Health and Medical research Council (NHMRC). |
| Aeration |
The process of enriching a solution in oxygen by passing fine bubbles of compressed air through it. |
| Aerobic |
When referring to wastewater treatment, it describes a liquid environment where there is freely available dissolved oxygen. |
| ALG |
Alliance Leadership Group. Oversees the management of Alliance Projects. |
| Algae |
Comparatively simple chlorophyll-bearing plant-like protists, most of which are aquatic and microscopic in size. |
| Algal bloom |
Rapid growth of algae in surface waters due to favourable conditions such as light, temperature and an abundant supply of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. |
| Alkaline |
Opposite of acid. Also know as base. An alkaline or base has a pH above 7. Blood, sea water, ammonia and caustic soda are alkaline. Highly alkaline substances are harmful to plants and animals. |
| Anaerobic |
When referring to wastewater treatment, it describes a liquid environment where there is no freely available dissolved oxygen and no combined oxygen in the form of nitrate and nitrite. |
| Aquifer |
An aquifer is a underground geological formation that is made up of porous materials such as sand and gravel that allows the storage and transmission of significant volumes of water. |
| Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) |
Is the process of injecting water (typically stormwater or recycled water) into a suitable underground aquifer for storage and later reuse, and it can be a means of artificially recharging depleted underground water supplies. |
| Augment |
To enlarge size or extend. |
| AWA |
Australian Water Association. |
| Backflow |
A reverse flow condition created by a difference in water pressures that causes water to flow back into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source other than the intended one. |
| BAU |
Business as usual. Good practice as delivered by project participants on a similar project in the past. |
| Bio retention filter |
Trenches that are filled with a soil or gravel media.
The stormwater is filtered as it flows through the media and is then collected in a perforated pipe.
Pollutants are removed through fine filtration, slowing the flow of water and biological uptake (bio-films attaching to the surface of the media). They are regarded as particularly efficient at removing nitrogen. |
| Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) |
A measure of the food value or energy in a sample of wastewater.
Determined by seeding a sample of wastewater with bacteria and measuring how much oxygen they consume over a set period (usually five days).
Raw wastewater has a BOD of typically 200 to 300 mg/L. The higher the value the more polluted the sample. |
| Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) |
A modification of the activated sludge process where conditions in a wastewater plant are manipulated to encourage specific micro-organisms to remove the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus.
Nitrogen is released to the atmosphere as nitrogen gas; phosphorus is removed with the waste biosolids. |
| Biological phosphorous removal |
This is a process achieved by creating an environment in an activated sludge treatment works that encourages the growth of phosphorus-accumulating micro-organisms.
These phosphorus-rich micro-organisms are then removed from the treatment system as part of the excess waste activated sludge. |
| Biomass |
Bacteria and other micro-organisms. |
| Bioreactor |
A bioreactor is a tank in which a mix of activated sludge (micro-organisms) and wastewater undergo aerated and un-aerated cycles. |
| Biosolids |
Organic solid product resulting from processing the waste activated sludge produced by the wastewater treatment process. Suitable for beneficial use.
The Australian and New Zealand biosoilds Partnership define Biosolid as 'a product of the wastewater sludge once it has undergone further treatment to significantly reduce disease causing pathogens and volatile organic matter, producing a stabilised product suitable for beneficial use. Biosolids normally contain between 15% and 90% solids. Biosolids are carefully treated and monitored and they must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements'. |
| Biota |
Living organisms of an ecosystem, usually flora and fauna. |
| Black water |
Toilet waste. |
| BOM |
Bureau of Meteorology. |
| BOO |
Build, own and operate. |
| Brownfield development |
The redevelopment of existing urban areas, usually at a higher density. Can also refer to additional infrastructure on an existing services site. |
| Bulk water, bulk distribution, bulk source and treatment |
Ownership of water sources such as dams, weirs and aquifers has been aggregated into a single Bulk Supply Authority owned by the Queensland Government.
The Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority, trading as seqwater, conducts its affairs on a commercial basis and sells all its water services to the Water Grid Manager.
LinkWater is the Queensland Bulk Water Transport Authority. |
| By-pass |
When wastewater by-passes wastewater treatment plants and is not fully treated.
It is usually caused by peak wet weather flows that exceed the plant capacity, and is used to protect the biomass in the plant. |
| Catchment |
The area which drains naturally to a particular point on a river, lake or other body of water, thus contributing to its natural discharge. Frequently used to refer to areas that feed into dams. May also refer to areas served by a wastewater or stormwater system. |
| Chemical dosing |
A process that may include adding carbon to improve nitrogen removal, and alum or lime for phosphorus precipitation. |
| Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) |
A measure of the strength of wastewater determined by measuring the amount of a specific chemical required to fully oxidise the sample of wastewater.
Because it is a chemical process, COD is a more complete measure of wastewater strength than BOD, and is numerically greater than BOD. Typically, domestic wastewater has a COD of 600 mg/L. |
| Chloramination |
The application of chloramine to drinking water, wastewater or industrial waste to disinfect or to oxidise undesirable compounds.
Note that this is different to chlorination. |
| Chloramine |
Chemical used for disinfection of wastewater. |
| Chlorination |
The application of chlorine to drinking water, wastewater, or industrial waste to disinfect or to oxidise undesirable compounds.
Note that this is different to chloramination. |
| Chlorine |
Chemical used for disinfection of wastewater. |
| Clarifier |
A tank that is used for settling solids from the bioreactor to produce a clear recycled water and return solids (RAS) back to the bioreactor. |
| COAG |
Council of Australian Governments. |
| Colony Forming Unit (CFU) |
A bacterial cell or clump of cells capable of developing into a colony when grown in laboratory conditions. |
| Community consultation |
The process of involving the broader community in the decision making process. |
| Condensation |
Opposite of evaporation. The process of a vapour turning into a liquid e.g. water vapour from the air turning into liquid water. |
| Conservation |
Use, management and protection of resources so they are not degraded, depleted or wasted and are available on a sustainable basis for present and future generations. |
| Consumption |
Water that is consumed by humans or livestock, incorporated into products or crops, evaporated, transpired by plants or otherwise removed from the immediate environment. |
| DBO |
Design, build and operate. A process of delivery whereby Allconnex Water appoints a contractor to design and build infrastructure, and then operate it for a defined period. |
| Demand |
See water demand. |
| Demand management |
Strategies to reduce water consumption by residential, commercial and industrial sectors. These strategies can include using existing resources more efficiently as a cost-effective alternative to building additional infrastructure. |
| Denitrification |
The process in which the oxygen in nitrite and nitrate is used by bacteria to release nitrogen gas into the atmosphere. |
| DERM |
Department of Environment and Resource Management (Queensland Government) |
| Desalination |
The process that removes salt from saline water to produce potable/ drinking water. |
| Digester |
A tank used to decompose the solid portion of wastewater. |
| DIP |
Department of Infrastructure and Planning (Queensland Government). Local Government is part of this department. |
| Disinfection |
The process of destroying, removing or deactivating pathogens or organisms capable of causing infectious disease. Could include chlorination, ozonation or ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. |
| Distribution and retail |
Three new water businesses were created through the Queensland Government’s water reform to undertake distribution and retail services.
Allconnex Water (serves the Gold Coast, Logan and Redland districts), Queensland Urban Utilities (serves Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset districts) and Unitywater (serves the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay districts). |
| Dual reticulation |
A water supply system that provides two types of water services to each property. It requires two separate pipe systems in the roads and properties.
One type is potable (drinking) water suitable for indoor use that requires high quality water.
The other type is Class A+ recycled water that can be used outdoors and to flush toilets etc. |
| E.coli (Escherichia coli) |
A common bacterium found in the gut of warm-blooded animals and used as an indicator of faecal pollution.
High levels of E.coli do not necessarily indicate the presence of human pathogens as E.coli is also found in birds and cattle. |
| Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) |
Using, conserving and enhancing the use of resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be maintained and increased. |
| Ecosystem |
Community of organisms interacting with each other and the chemical and physical factors making up their environment. |
| Effluent |
The liquid remaining after the wastewater has been treated. |
| Effluent re-use |
The beneficial use of the treated wastewater effluent. |
| Emission |
Anything emitted as a result of a process e.g.gases, heat and odours. |
| Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) |
An environmental impact statement is undertaken at an early stage in the planning process for a major project to determine the impact of the proposal on the environment.
An EIS is usually prepared following completion of feasibility studies and initial concept development when adequate details of the proposal are known. Different states use different names e.g. REF, EIA etc. |
| Environmental indicators |
Physical, chemical or biological features that can be monitored and used to measure changes in the environment. |
| Environmental Management Plan (EMP) |
Site specific plans that deal with the environmental risks and mitigation measures at a work site. |
| Environmental Management System (EMS) |
The framework for the management of environmental issues. |
| EPA |
The Environmental Protection Agency is now called the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). DERM regulates and enforces The Environmental Protection Act. |
| Equivalent Population (EP) |
An empirical measure used in design to convert wastewater contributions from non-domestic development into equivalent units of population. |
| Equivalent Tenement (ET) |
An empirical measure used in design to convert system loads into equivalent tenement units. A property based unit of measurement used to indicate water or wastewater requirements for a property.
A detached dwelling on a standard residential lot comprises 1 ET. Other residential developments such as flats/unit/villas are usually rated at a lower ET per dwelling.
ET ratings for commercial and tourist developments can be determined from the number of occupants, beds, or rooms in the development.
ET ratings for industrial developments specifically relate to the industry type. |
| Estuary |
A semi-enclosed body of water having connections to the ocean at the downstream end and freshwater streams at the upstream end. Water in estuaries thus tends to be at an intermediate and variable salinity and temperature. |
| Eutrophication |
A process that can occur in a water body when high nutrient concentrations in the water encourage abnormally high algae growth (algal blooms).
When the algae die and decay, or at night when there is no photosynthesis, dissolved oxygen concentrations may drop to levels that are too low to support aquatic animals and events such as fish kills may occur. |
| Evaporation |
Opposite of condensation. The process of liquid water becoming water vapour.
Evaporation occurs from water surfaces land surfaces and snowfields but not from leaf surfaces.
See transpiration. |
| Extended aeration |
A common variation of the activated sludge process, where the wastewater is exposed to the bacteria for a longer period of time to give a higher standard of treatment and less sludge produced. |
| Faecal coliforms |
Coliforms are a class of bacteria; faecal coliforms are found in animal faeces and include E.coli and a wide range of other potentially pathogenic micro-organisms. |
| Fermentation |
The process in which wastewater solids are allowed to decompose to produce soluble organic compounds, which micro-organisms use to get the carbon needed for their growth and reproduction. |
| Fermenter |
Tank where fermentation takes place. |
| Filtration |
A process for removing particles from a solution by passing it through a porous structure or medium, such as a screen, membrane, sand or gravel. |
| Final clarifier |
A piece of equipment that separates the solid (activated sludge) and liquid (effluent) parts of the flow leaving the oxidation ditches bioreactor. |
| First flush device |
Device installed between the roof guttering and the roofwater tank to divert the first, potentially more polluted, runoff of roofwater during a rain event. |
| Flood |
An overflow of water onto lands that are used or usable by man and not normally covered by water.
Floods have two essential characteristics: the inundation of land is temporary; and the land is adjacent to, and inundated by, overflow from a river, stream, lake, or ocean. |
| Flood – 100 year |
A 100-year flood does not refer to a flood that occurs once every 100 years, but to a flood level with a one percent chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year. |
| Flood plain |
A strip of relatively flat and normally dry land alongside a stream, river, or lake that is covered by water during a flood. |
| Freshwater |
Water that contains less than 1000 milligrams per litre (mg/L) of dissolved solids; generally more than 500 mg/L of dissolved solids is undesirable for drinking and many industrial uses. Water found in lakes, rivers, streams. |
| Giardia |
Organism that causes giardiasis. |
| Giardiasis |
A disease that results from an infection by the protozoan parasite Giardia Intestinalis.
It is most commonly transmitted through poor hygiene but can be passed through water contaminated with faecal material, especially in unfiltered supplies. Giardia is resistant to normal chlorine levels.
The disorder is more prevalent in children than in adults and is characterized by abdominal discomfort, nausea and alternating constipation and diarrhoea. |
| Greenfield development |
Development of undeveloped land (e.g. rural land) for urban use. Can include development of services infrastructure on a new site. |
| Greywater |
Domestic wastewater from baths, showers and laundries. Generally considered to be less contaminated than wastewater, but at times may contain levels of faecal contamination similar to wastewater from toilets. Excludes toilet waste. Previously called sullage. |
| Grit |
Hard and heavier solid matter in wastewater. It is generally inorganic. Examples include sand, gravel, ash, glass and metal fragments. Usually the grit in wastewater is removed in the preliminary treatment area of the wastewater treatment plant and disposed of in landfill (along with the screenings). |
| Groundwater |
Water that is found below the surface, usually in porous rock or soil or in underground aquifers. |
| Groundwater recharge |
Inflow of water to a ground-water reservoir from the surface. Infiltration of precipitation and its movement to the water table is one form of natural recharge. Can also refer to the volume of water added by the above-mentioned process. |
| Hard water |
Water that has a high concentration of alkaline salts, mainly calcium and magnesium. When more soap, shampoo or detergent is necessary to raise a lather. |
| Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system |
A methodology to control hazards in a process (e.g. water quality). |
| Industrial water use |
Water used for industrial purposes in such industries as steel, chemical, paper and petroleum refining. Nationally, water for industrial uses comes mainly (80%) from self-supplied sources, such as a local well or withdrawal points in a river, but some water comes from public-supplied sources, such as the county/city water department. |
| Inflow/Infiltration (I/I) |
Inflow is the entry of stormwater into the wastewater system either from illegal/unintentional roofwater or stormwater connections, or through faults in manhole covers. Infiltration is the entry of groundwater into the wastewater system through cracks in the pipes and manholes below the water table. I/I generally increases with the age of the system. Intervention may be required to maintain or reduce I/I. |
| Irrigation |
The controlled application of water for agricultural purposes through man-made systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall. |
| ISO |
International Standards Organisation. |
| Key performance indicator (KPI) |
Ways of measuring the performance of an organisation process, product or individual e.g. in the area of community and stakeholder relations, environmental performance, schedule etc. |
| Kilolitre |
One thousand litres. |
| Leakages |
Water that is lost in transit from a pipe, canal or ditch. See also Unaccounted for water. |
| LinkWater |
LinkWater, is the Queensland Government statutory authority responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of potable bulk water pipelines and related infrastructure throughout South East Queensland. |
| Magnesium |
One of the elements that make up the earth's crust as part of many rock-forming minerals such as dolomite. Magnesium and calcium dissolved in water constitute hardness. The presence of magnesium in water contributes to the formation of scale and the insoluble soap curds, which identify hard water. |
| Manufactured water |
WaterSecure is the Queensland Government authority responsible for producing new, pure sources of water (or manufactured water) for South East Queensland through the Gold Coast Desalination Plant and Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme. |
| Megalitre |
One million litres – about the size of a one metre deep Olympic-sized swimming pool. |
| Membrane bio reactor (MBR) |
A process that is used in a wastewater treatment plant to separate the recycled water from the sludge in the place of clarifiers (the typical separation method). This process uses membranes (under pressure) which have the advantage of taking up less space than clarifiers and generally produce water to a higher quality (less particulates). |
| Micro-organisms |
The organisms which are invisible or only barely visible with the un-aided eye. These are the basis for the biological process. |
| Mixed liquor |
The term commonly used for the mixture of activated sludge and wastewater within the treatment plant. |
| ML/day |
Megalitres per day. |
| MOU |
Memorandum of Understanding. |
| Mulch |
Any substance spread or allowed to remain on the soil surface to conserve soil moisture, prevent evaporation and shield soil particles from the erosive forces of raindrops and runoff. |
| Nitrate |
A nitrogen compound containing three oxygen atoms (NO3). Formed during nitrification. |
| Nitrification |
The process of microbial oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate. |
| Nitrite |
A nitrogen compound containing two oxygen atoms (NO2). Formed during nitrification. |
| Nitrogen |
All living matter contains nitrogen bound with carbon and other elements to form organic molecules. The death of any organism immediately makes these elements available as a source of food for other organisms. These other organisms reduce the complex organic molecules to simpler forms of nitrogenous organic compounds, and then to ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. |
| Non-potable reuse |
Use of recycled water for uses that do not require potable (drinkable) water. For example, irrigation of urban gardens, for agricultural irrigation and for toilet flushing. |
| NPWS |
National Parks and Wildlife Service. |
| Nutrient removal |
Removal of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from wastewater using either biological (BNR), chemical or physical processes. |
| Nutrients |
In the environmental context, the term 'nutrients' is used to describe the group of substances, mainly containing nitrogen and phosphorus, which detrimentally stimulate the growth of algae and other aquatic plants in water ( rivers, streams and lakes) if introduced. |
| OH&S |
Occupational Health and Safety. Also referred to as Workplace, Health and Safety (WH&S). |
| Op. licence |
Operating Licence. |
| Organic |
Generally refers to plant and animal matter but strictly refers to any complex substance predominantly containing carbon atoms. |
| Organic – of animal or vegetable origin |
The use of this term can also be used to denote products that are free from pesticide and herbicide residues. |
| Osmosis |
The movement of water molecules through a thin membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. The osmosis process occurs in our bodies as water movers through cell walls. Reverse osmosis is the opposite of this process by the application of pressure and is one method of desalinising saline water. |
| Oxidation ditch |
Oxidation ditches are tanks in which wastewater is circulated as part of the treatment process. |
| Ozonation |
A disinfection process using ozone. Ozonation does not have a residual disinfection effect and therefore does not impact on the environment after release. Ozone has a very short life span and must be generated at the point of use. |
| Ozone |
A form of oxygen with three rather than the normal two oxygen atoms. Ozone is a strong oxidising agent. Ozone is highly unstable and will even react with itself to reform the common two-oxygen molecule within minutes. |
| Package treatment plant |
Usually a small-scale wastewater treatment plant that is manufactured off-site and delivered to the site as a complete package. |
| Pathogens |
Potentially disease-causing micro-organisms including bacteria, viruses, parasitic protozoa (Giardia and cryptosporidium) and helminths (intestinal worms). |
| Per capita |
For each head of population. |
| Percolation |
The movement of water through a media (e.g. the ground). |
| pH |
A measure of the relative acidity of a liquid . Water with a pH of 7 is neutral; lower pH levels indicate increasing acidity, while pH levels higher than 7 indicate increasingly basic solutions. |
| Phosphorous |
Phosphorus in wastewater occurs in two principal forms: ortho-phosphate and organic phosphate. It is also referred to as filterable reactive phosphorus. |
| Pollutants |
Contaminants in water that, when in sufficient quantity, may cause environmental degradation. |
| Potable reuse |
Treatment of recycled water to a very high standard for return to the drinking water supply. Indirect potable reuse would see the recycled water returned to a waterway or reservoir upstream of the water treatment plant. Direct potable reuse would involve the direct injection of recycled water into the water supply network. |
| Potable water |
Drinkable water. Usually treated freshwater that meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). |
| Precipitation |
Examples of meteorological precipitation are: rain, snow, hail, dew, frost and sleet. |
| Primary clarifier |
The primary clarifiers, or primary sedimentation tank, may be used to remove the heavier suspended solids in waste water. |
| Pump station |
An in-ground structure located at low points in the gravity wastewater system to transfer wastewater to other locations in the network. Ultimately the wastewater is transferred by a combination of gravity and pumping from its source to the wastewater treatment plant. |
| Purified recycled water |
Wastewater that has been treated to a very high standard using a seven-barrier process. This term refers to water from the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme operated by WaterSecure. |
| QCA |
Queensland Competition Authority. |
| Queensland Water Commission (QWC) |
Queensland Government’s statutory authority facilitating safe, secure and sustainable water supplies in South East Queensland and other designated regions. Operating under a legislative framework defined in the Water Act 2000. |
| Rainwater tank |
On-site storages to collect roofwater for beneficial use. |
| Receiving water |
A stream, river, pond, lake or ocean that receives wastewater discharges. |
| Reclaimed water |
See Recycled water. |
| Recycled water |
Wastewater that has been highly treated to appropriate standards for the required use.
- Class A + - urban use: toilets, laundry and outdoor.
- Class A or B - open space irrigation.
- Class B or C - cane irrigation.
|
| Reduced Infiltration Gravity Sewers (RIGS) |
See Smart Wastewater System |
| Regulators |
Organisations that set regulations and standards for Allconnex Water to meet. For example, Department of Health, QCA,DIP and DERM. |
| Release |
Release of excess recycled water that is not reused through fit-for-purpose applications to the environment under a controlled and regulated scheme. |
| Renewable resource |
A resource that can be replenished at the same rate it is used. |
| Reservoir |
An artificial body of water, often retained by a dam. |
| Reticulated sewerage |
See Wastewater system. |
| Returned Activated Sludge (RAS) |
Solid from the bottom of the clarifiers that is returned to the bioreactor. |
| Reuse |
Use of recycled water. |
| Risk assessment |
A logical and systematic method of identifying, evaluating, and communicating risks associated with any activity, function or process in a way that will enable organisations to treat and monitor the risk to minimise losses and maximise opportunities. |
| Roofwater |
Rainwater runoff from a building’s roof. May contain dust, contaminants from urban fallout and faecal contamination from animals and birds. |
| Roofwater tank |
See rainwater tank. |
| Run-off |
Water that flows over the land after a rain event that collects in streams, rivers, dams and drains. |
| Saline water |
Water that contains significant amounts of dissolved solids, usually sodium chloride (salt). |
| SCADA |
Supervisory control and data acquisition. The system that allows control of WWTP processes from a remote or central location. |
| Screenings |
The larger (usually floating) solids that are removed from wastewater at the preliminary treatment area by the screens.
This includes rubbish like plastics, cloth, cotton buds and paper, which if not removed, could clog up downstream pumps etc. |
| Sediment |
Particles in water. |
| Sedimentation |
A treatment process that allows soil or other particles to settle out of water or wastewater. |
| Septic systems |
Septic tanks and absorption trenches: Septic tanks provide a low level of treatment to household wastewater. The recycled water flows from the septic tank to the absorption trenches. The biosolids accumulate in the septic tank and are periodically pumped out for transportation to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment. |
| Seqwater |
Seqwater is South East Queensland’s bulk water supply provider. (Pronounced secwater, not S-E-Q water.) Responsible for the dams, reservoirs and water treatment plants that form the SEQ Water Grid. |
| Sewage |
See Wastewater. |
| Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) |
See Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| Sewer mining |
Sewer mining is a recent innovation, where a lower capacity, high technology treatment facility is placed on a large wastewater main, generally near a potential reuse site. The facility extracts degraded water from the main for treatment to a standard suitable for reuse.
All other by-products, such as biosolids, are returned to the wastewater main for discharge to the wastewater treatment plant. Can be referred to as ‘water mining’ (registered trademark). |
| Sewerage |
See Wastewater system or wastewater infrastructure. |
| Sludge |
The solids that are removed from wastewater by primary and secondary treatment. |
| Smart sewers |
Wastewater pipes made from superior material and construction practices that reduce the amount of stormwater and groundwater entering the wastewater system.
See Smart Wastewater System. |
| Smart wastewater system |
Incorporates superior material and construction practises to reduce the amount of stormwater and groundwater from infiltrating the wastewater system.
Also called Reduced Infiltration Gravity Sewers (RIGS) or smart sewers. |
| Source control |
Managing a process by controlling the inputs into the process. Trade waste management is a form of source control. |
| Source substitution |
Use appropriate sources of water for the required use, thereby reducing demand on potable (drinking) water. |
| Spear pump |
A bored, drilled, or driven shaft, or a dug hole whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension and whose purpose is to reach underground water supplies or oil, or to store or bury fluids below ground. |
| Stormflow treatment |
Chemical/physical settling process for treating storm flows. |
| Stormwater |
Rainwater that runs off the land, frequently carrying various forms of pollution such as rubbish, animal droppings and dissolved chemicals. It is carried in the stormwater system and discharged directly into creeks, rivers, the harbour and the ocean. |
| Stormwater attenuation |
The temporary storage and slow release of stormwater to reduce flow rates in the drainage system during and immediately after a storm event. |
| Stormwater harvesting |
Capture of stormwater runoff in surface water storage bodies. Used for local irrigation and local external use. |
| Stormwater system |
The system of pipes, canals and other channels used to carry stormwater to the outlet point. |
| Suspended Solids (SS) |
A measure of the amount of insoluble organic and inorganic matter in wastewater. Interchangeable with NFR. Particles that can be removed by sedimentation or filtration. |
| Sustainability |
The ability to maintain an improving quality of life for all people, both now and into the future, while ensuring the continued availability of the natural resources and ecosystem services essential to supporting life on earth. |
| Sustainable development |
Activities that can be maintained over the long-term, while achieving a balance between the environment, the economy and society. |
| Sustainable water management |
Delivery of water and wastewater services in a way that is environmentally sensitive and responsive to community needs at an acceptable cost. |
| Sustainable water supply |
Achieving a long-term balance between the ability of the system to capture and store supplies of water and the demand of current and future users, taking into account social, environmental and economic factors and criteria. |
| Swale |
Shallow, grassed or landscaped channels that transport stormwater. Pollutants are removed by filtering the water through the vegetation. Infiltration through soil provides some additional treatment. |
| Trade waste |
Industrial or commercial wastewater containing significant quantities of potential contaminants. Commonly controlled using trade waste agreements to limit trade waste inputs to the wastewater system at the source. This is a form of source control. |
| Trade waste agreements |
Agreements reached between Allconnex Water and industrial and commercial customers to restrict the amount of toxic and other potentially harmful substances discharged to the wastewater system.
These agreements often involve setting appropriate charges and limits for the discharge of waste. |
| Transpiration |
Process by which water that is absorbed by plants, usually through the roots, is evaporated into the atmosphere from the plant surface, such as leaf pores. |
| Triple Bottom Line (TBL) |
Refers to the practice of being accountable for the three pillars of sustainability: social, environment and economic. |
| Turbidity |
The amount of solid particles that are suspended in water and that cause light rays shining through the water to scatter. Thus, turbidity makes the water cloudy or even opaque in extreme cases. Turbidity is measured in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU). |
| Ultraviolet (UV) |
Ultraviolet radiation: a high-energy light used for disinfection as an alternative to chlorine. Causes irreversible damage to parts of microbial DNA. |
| Unaccounted for water |
The difference between the amount of water measured entering the water supply system and the amount used by customers. Causes are leaks, inaccurate metering and illegal use. |
| User pays |
The principal that the user or beneficiary of a service pays the true cost for delivery of that service without cross-subsidies between users. For example, trade waste producers pay a fee based on the amount and quality of their wastewater (Trade Waste) discharge. The charge will be lower when volume is reduced and quality is higher. |
| Virtual water |
The water used to produce a product where exporting or importing the product is equivalent to moving the same volume of 'virtual water'. |
| Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) |
Excess activated sludge produced in the treatment of wastewater. WAS is removed from the bioreactor, then stabilised, thickened and dewatered to become biosolids. |
| Wastewater |
The dirty water or wastewater that goes down the drains of homes, offices, shops, factories and other premises discharged into the wastewater system. |
| Wastewater system |
The system of pipes and pump stations for collecting and transporting wastewater from each property to the wastewater treatment plant. |
| Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) |
A facility for the treatment of wastewater to remove pollutants (solid matter and pathogens) producing treated recycled water and biosolids. |
| Water Acts |
Queensland Government Legislation specific to the water industry, particularly in SEQ, for example:
- Water Act 2000
- Water Supply Safety and Reliability Act 2008
- SEQ Water (Restructuring) Act 2007, SEQ Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009.
- South East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010.
|
| Water conservation |
Preventing and reducing wasteful, uneconomical, impractical or unreasonable use of water resources. |
| Water cycle |
The continuous cycle of water movement through the environment, including the oceans, the atmosphere, surface water systems and groundwater. |
| Water demand |
Total water use requirements of an area for drinking, agriculture, industry, recreation and gardening. This demand is seasonal and highly influenced by the weather. |
| Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme |
A Federal Government regulatory scheme ensuring a range of products are labelled for water efficiency, helping Australian households to save water and money. WELS is a star rating, the more stars, the more water efficient the product.
Allconnex Water promotes four stars or better as the ideal to aim for when purchasing products which fall under the WELS rating scheme. |
| Water grid |
The water supply and transport infrastructure that supplies water to South East Queensland. Managed by the Water Grid Manager. |
| Water mining |
See sewer mining. |
| Water quality |
Physical, chemical and biological measures of water. |
| Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) |
See Wastewater treatment plant. |
| Water Reform |
State driven water reforms that restructured the water industry in South East Queensland, starting in 2007 and culminating the creation of the local government owned Allconnex Water and two other retail-distribution entities (Queensland Urban Utilities and Unity Water) in 2010.
Earlier stages resulted in the creation of the Grid Manager, Linkwater, Seqwater and WaterSecure |
| Water reuse |
See Recycled Water |
| Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) |
Incorporates a range of initiatives designed to reduce the impact of urban stormwater discharge. Could include Roofwater tanks, grass swales, infiltration zones and stormwater harvesting. |
| Water supply network |
The system of water sources including dams, bores, treatment plants, pump stations, and distribution pipes used to supply potable water on demand to customers. |
| Water treatment Plant |
A facility that treats freshwater piped from reservoirs into potable water for supply to the community. |
| WaterSecure |
The Queensland Government authority responsible for producing new, pure sources of water (or manufactured water) for South East Queensland through the Gold Coast Desalination Plant and Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme. |
| Waterways |
All streams, creeks, rivers, estuaries, inlets and harbours. |
| Wet weather release |
Pipeline from the wastewater treatment plant to the environment specifically for discharge of recycled water that has not been reused.
The magnitude and timing of both wastewater flows and the demand for reuse are such that significant short-term differences occur. The release is required to manage these temporal differences. Essential in wet weather even if treatment plant achieved 100% reuse. |
| Wetlands |
A low-lying area inundated or permanently covered by shallow water. Can be natural or man-made. |
| Standpipe |
A vertical pipe generally used as a filling point for carriers to transport water to places that do not have reticulated water available. |