| sediment |
Usually applied to material in suspension in water or recently deposited from suspension |
| seepage |
The slow movement of water through small cracks, pores, Interstices, etc., of a material into or out of a body of surface or subsurface water |
| septic tank |
A tank used to detain domestic wastes to allow the settling of solids prior to distribution to a leach field for soil absorption |
| settling pond |
An open lagoon into which wastewater contaminated with solid pollutants is placed and allowed to stand |
| sewage |
The waste and wastewater produced by residential and commercial sources and discharged into sewers |
| solute |
A substance that is dissolved in another substance, thus forming a solution. |
| solvent |
A substance that dissolves other substances, thus forming a solution |
| stream |
A general term for a body of flowing water; natural water course containing water at least part of the year |
| stream flow |
The water discharge that occurs in a natural channel |
| subsidence |
A dropping of the land surface as a result of ground water being pumped |
| substrate |
The material that makes up the streambed |
| subwatersheds |
Area from which groundwater and surface water drains and contributes to flow in another body of water |
| surface tension |
The attraction of molecules to each other on a liquid's surface |
| suspended solid |
Solids that are not in true solution and that can be removed by filtration |
| temperature |
The degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment |
| thermal pollution |
A reduction in water quality caused by increasing its temperature |
| transpiration |
Process by which water that is absorbed by plants, usually through the roots, is evaporated into the atmosphere from the plant surface |
| tributaries |
A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river or stream |
| turbidity |
The amount of solid particles that are suspended in water and that cause light rays shining through the water to scatter |
| unsaturated zone |
The zone immediately below the land surface where the pores contain both water and air, but are not totally saturated with water |
| wastewater |
Water that has been used in homes, industries, and businesses that is not for reuse unless it is treated |
| water cycle |
The circuit of water movement from the oceans to the atmosphere and to the Earth and return to the atmosphere through various stages |
| water quality |
A term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose |
| water table |
The top of the water surface in the saturated part of an aquifer |
| watershed |
The land area that drains water to a particular stream, river, or lake |
| wetland |
Land that is transitional between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and is covered with water for at least part of the year |
| xeriscaping |
Method of landscaping that uses plants that are well adapted to the local area and are drought-resistant |
| yield |
Mass per unit time per unit area |
