Glossary

Terminology and definitions

A

Aerobic #: Plenty of oxygen present. Usually oxygen (atmospheric air) is ‘entrained’ into waste water or fresh water to make it ‘sparkle’ by ‘aerators’.
Anaerobic #: No oxygen present. Usually waste water very low in dissolved oxygen.

Bioaugment #: To improve the number and/or variety of microorganisms (in an effluent) thus increasing the speed and efficiency of the degradation of the substrate (organic matter seen as a pollutant).
Bioremediate #: The technique of using microorganisms, selected for their ability to degrade a specific organic product – or group of allied products – to ‘clean up’ a polluted area (water body or soil).
BOD #: Biological Oxygen Demand measures the quantity of oxygen that is required by bacteria to completely degrade the organic contaminant in the effluent.

COD #: Chemical Oxygen Demand measures the quantity of oxygen necessary to degrade all the organic (not all organic material is naturally, biologically degradable) contaminant in the pollutant.

Seeded #: The act of spreading selected microbial product into or onto a polluted surface.
STP #: Sewage Treatment Plant

TPH #: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon count
Trickling filters #: A quantity of clean aggregate contained within a wall. Typically circular on plan, and from 3-30m high depending upon capacity. Effluent is spread onto the ‘media’ by a (usually) 4 bar perforated slowly rotating ‘spreader’. It spills onto the stones and percolates slowly to an annular drainage channel at the outside bottom. Microbial slimes develop on the surfaces of the media and catch and degrade the organic wastes borne in the sprayed effluent, reducing the COD as the effluent proceeds under gravity to the collecting channels. These units are suited to removing complex pollutants such as vegetable dyes and are commonly found in STPs receiving industrial effluent.
TSS #: Total Suspended Solids
TVC #: Total Viable Count
TVS #: Total Volatile Solids – as in mechanical oily wastes, the petroleum part.

Wet-well #: This is the ‘sump’ of a (sewage) pump station into which sewage from the surrounding houses/factories drains by gravity.
WISA #: Water Institute of SA
WwTW #: Wastewater Treatment Works