Monterey Rainwater

A  to Z Glossary of  Water Terms

 A

acid - a substance that has a pH value between 0 and 7

acid deposition (“acid rain”) - water that falls to or condenses on the Earth’s surface as rain, drizzle, snow, sleet, hail, dew, frost, or fog with a pH of less than 5.6

acre-foot - the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land one foot deep; about 326,000 gallons

adhesion - the attraction between molecules that causes matter to cling to or stick to other matter

adjudication - a court determination of water rights for a groundwater basin or a stream; adjudication sets priorities during shortages

aeration - the addition of air to water or to the pores in soil

aesthetic - sensitive to beauty

alkaline - the quality of being bitter due to alkaline content (pH is greater than 7)

alluvial - sediment deposited by flowing water, such as in a riverbed

alum - aluminum sulfate: a chemical, which is mixed into water to cause particles in the water to clump together so they can be removed

anadramous - any fish which spends a portion of its life cycle in freshwater and a portion in the sea

aquifer - an underground layer of rock, sediment or soil that is filled or saturated with water

aquifer system - a heterogeneous body of introduced permeable and less permeable material that acts as a water-yielding hydraulic unit of regional extent

aqueduct - man-made canal or pipeline used to transport water

 

B

bacteria - any of a number of one-celled organisms, some of which cause disease

base - a substance that has a pH value between 7 and 14

basin - a groundwater reservoir defined by the overlying land surface and underlying aquifiers that contain water stored in the reservoir

benefit - an advantage to be gained in a trade-off

benefit/cost analysis - a process of evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed purchase or project

BMPs (Best Management Practices) - structural or management practices which are implemented to reduce pollution (e.g., using a permeable material for parking lots to reduce urban runoff)

boiler scale - mineral deposits from water, such as those found inside pipes or teakettles

bond - a promise to repay money borrowed, plus interest, over a specified period of time

bond issue - a means of raising large amounts of money for major projects by selling bonds

brackish - water containing too much salt to be useful to people but less salt than ocean water

by-products - something produced in addition to the principal product

 

C

capillarity - the process by which water rises through rock, sediment or soil caused by the cohesion between water molecules and an adhesion between water and other materials that “pulls” the water upward

capital cost - all the implements, equipment, machinery and inventory used in the production of goods and services

cesspool - a covered hole or pit for receiving sewage

chloramination - the treatment of a substance, such as drinking water, with chlorine and ammonia (chloramines) in order to kill disease-causing organisms

chlorination - the treatment of a substance, such as drinking water, with chlorine in order to kill disease-causing organisms

cloud - a mass of suspended water droplets and/or ice crystals in the atmosphere

cloud droplets - the tiny liquid pieces of water that many clouds are made of. When cloud droplets join together and become heavy enough they form raindrops.

coagulation - the process, such as in treatment of drinking water, by which dirt and other suspended particles become chemically “stuck together” so they can be removed from water

cohesion - the ability of a substance to stick to itself and pull itself together

coliform - a group of bacteria used as indicators of microbiological contamination

colloidal suspension - a method of sediment transport in which water turbulence (movement) supports the weight of the sediment particles, thereby keeping them from settling out or being deposited

condensation - water vapor changing back into liquid

condensation surfaces - small particles of matter, such as dust and salt suspended in the atmosphere, which aid the condensation of water vapor in forming clouds

confined aquifer - an aquifer that is bound above and below by dense layers of rock and contains water under pressure

conjunctive use - the planned use of groundwater in conjunction with surface water to optimize total water resources

conservation - saving; not wasting; using water wisely

constituents - parts of a whole; components

consumer - one who consumes or uses economic goods or services

contaminate - to make unfit for use; to pollute

contractor - a water agency that signs a contract to acquire given amounts of water from another agency, usually under specified conditions

contour plowing - plowing done in accordance with the natural outline or shape of the land by keeping the furrows or ditches at the same elevation as much as possible to reduce runoff and erosion

cost - the outlay or expenditure (as of money, effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object or advantage

cost-effective - able at least to pay for itself or make a profit

county water authority - a public water district serving a county-wide area

cubic foot of water - the amount of water needed to fill a cube that is one foot on all sides; about 7.5 gallons

 

D

dam - a structure built to hold back a flow of water

debt service - the repayment of borrowed money, plus interest

deficit - the amount by which a sum of money falls short of an expected amount

delta - fan-shaped area at the mouth of a river (where seas are relatively calm)

demand - the quantity of goods or services that consumers are willing and able to buy at a given price

deposition - the process of dropping or getting rid of sediments by an erosional agent such as a river or glacier; also called sedimentation

desalination - the process of removing salt from seawater or brackish water

dew - moisture in the air that condenses on solid surfaces when the air is saturated with water vapor

dew point - the temperature at which the air becomes saturated with water vapor

discharge - the amount of water flowing past a location in a stream/river in a certain amount of time - usually expressed in liters per second or gallons per minute

disinfect - to destroy harmful microorganisms

dissolve - to enter into a solution

divert - to direct a flow away from its natural course

divide - a ridge or high area of land that separates one drainage basin from another

drainage basin - all of the area drained by a river system

drought - a prolonged period of below-average precipitation

 

E

economic benefit - a gain that can be measured in dollars

economic cost - a cost involved in a trade-off that requires spending money

ecosystem - an interacting network of groups of organisms together with their non-living or physical environment

efficiency - effective operation as measured by a comparison of production with cost

endangered species - a species of animal or plant threatened with extinction

environment - the surroundings that affect the growth and development of an organism

environmental impacts - factors that affect organisms and the surroundings of organisms

Environmental Impact Report (EIR) - a state-mandated written summary of the positive and negative effects on the environment caused by the construction and operation of a project

erosion - the processes (including soil erosion) of picking up sediments, moving sediments, shaping sediments, and depositing sediments by various agents; erosional agents include streams, glaciers, wind and gravity

Escherichia coli (E. coli) - a common bacterium found in fecal matter; member of the coliform group

evaporation - water changing into vapor and rising into the air

exchange - the act of trading goods or services for those produced by people who are located elsewhere

expense - something spent (such as money, time or effort) to secure a benefit or bring about a result

 

F

factors of production - the resource inputs involved in the production of goods and services: for example, labor, land and capital

feces - waste excreted from the bowels of humans and animals

filtration - passing water through coal, sand and gravel to remove particles

filtration plant - place where water is cleaned and made safe to drink

financing cost - the fees charged by financial specialists and the interest charged on money borrowed to pay for a project

fish ladder - a device to help fish swim around a dam

fishery - the aquatic region in which a certain species of fish lives

floc - clumps of impurities removed from water during the purification process; formed when alum is added to impure water

flocculation - a step in water filtration in which alum is added to cause particles to clump together

floodplain - area formed by fine sediments spreading out in the drainage basin on either side of the channel of a river as a result of the river’s fluctuating water volume and velocity

fog - clouds that form at the Earth’s surface

frost - the ice that forms on surfaces as a result of the temperature of that surface reaching freezing before the air becomes saturated with water

 

G

gallon - a unit of measure equal to four quarts or 128 fluid ounces

geyser - a thermal spring that erupts intermittently and to different heights above the surface of the Earth; eruptions occur when water deep in the spring is heated enough to turn into steam, which forces the liquid water above it out into the air

glacial striations - lines carved into rock by overriding ice, showing the direction of glacial movement

glacier - a large mass of ice formed on land by the compacting and recrystallization of snow; glaciers survive from year to year, and creep downslope or outward due to the stress of their own weight

groundwater - water under ground, such as in wells, springs and aquifiers

gullying - small-scale stream erosion

 

H

habitat - the place or type of site where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows

hail - transparent or layered (ice and snow) balls or irregular lumps of solid water

hardness - a characteristic of water determined by the levels of calcium and magnesium

hatcheries - a place for hatching fish eggs

humus - decomposed bits of plant and animal matter in the soil

hydroelectric plant - a power plant that produces electricity from the power of rushing water turning turbine-generators

hydrologic cycle - the natural recycling process powered by the sun that causes water to evaporate into the atmosphere, condense and return to earth as precipitation

hydrology - the scientific study of the behavior of water in the atmosphere, on the Earth’s surface and underground

 

I

iceberg - large chunks of ice that break off of coastal glaciers and float away

igneous - rock solidified from a molten state, such as lava and obsidian

impermeable - having a texture that does not permit water to move through quickly

imported water - water brought into an area from a distant source, such as from one part of a state to another via an aqueduct

impound - to confine in an enclosure, such as impounding water in a reservoir

impurity - any component which causes another substance to become contaminated

indicator - a device or substance used to show the presence of another substance

infiltration (also called percolation) - the entrance or flow of water into the soil, sediment or rocks of the Earth’s surface

inorganic - chemicals not containing the element carbon

interest - payments made to an investor for the use of borrowed money

intrusion - the entrance of an unwanted element, such as saltwater, into freshwater supplies

inundation - covering over or flooding, such as flood waters covering a valley

irrigation - supplying water to agriculture by artificial means, such as pumping water onto crops in an area where rainfall is insufficient

 

L

labor - the mental and/or physical talents contributed by people for the production of goods or services

lactose - a white organic substance made from milk that is used in infant foods, bakery products and confections; also used as a “culture” in laboratories

landfill - an open area where trash is buried

leach - to remove components from the soil by the action of water trickling through

levees - dikes or other embankments which contain water within a given course

local runoff - water running off a local area, such as rainfall draining into a nearby creek

 

M

manufacturer - one who makes a product

marginal land - land which, in its natural state, is not well suited for a particular purpose, such as raising crops

member agency - one of 27 member public water providers associated with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, from which it purchases water and on whose board it is represented

microorganism - an organism of microscopic size, such as bacterium

migratory - moving from one area to another on a seasonal basis

mitigation - a way in which an agency may offset negative environmental impacts of a project or make the impacts less serious

mulch - material spread on the ground to reduce soil erosion and evaporation of water; include hay, plastic sheeting and wood chips

municipal water district - a public water provider, owned and operated by more than one city government, which supplies water to its member cities

 

N

natural environment - all living and nonliving things that occur naturally on the earth; not made

nomad - a wanderer, a person or animal which moves from place to place

non-economic benefit - a gain resulting from a trade-off that cannot be measured in dollars

nonpoint source pollution - pollution which comes from diffuse sources such as urban and agricultural runoff

NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits - permits issued to point sources for the purpose of limiting pollution in discharges

 

O

organic - any chemical containing the element carbon

overdraft - condition that occurs in a groundwater basin when pumping exceeds the amount of replenishment over a period of years

ozone - a gas that is bubbled through water to kill germs

 

P

pathogenic - capable of causing disease

percolation - water soaking into the ground

perennial yield - maximum quantity of water that can be annually withdrawn from a groundwater basin over a long period of time (during which water supply conditions approximate average conditions) without developing an overdraft condition

permeability - the capacity or ability of a porous rock, sediment, or soil to allow the movement of water through its pores

PEROXONE - a combination of peroxide and ozone used to kill germs in water

pH - a relative scale of how acidic or basic (alkaline) a material is; the scale goes from 0 to 14; 7 is neutral, acids have pH values less than 7 and bases have pH values higher than 7

photosynthesis - process in which chlorophyll-containing cells convert light into chemical energy, forming organic compounds from inorganic compounds

pipeline - carries water underground to homes and businesses

plankton - minute plants and animals floating in bodies of water; often a major source of nutrition for larger aquatic life forms

pollutant - any inorganic or organic substance that contaminates air, water or soil

point source pollution - pollution which comes from a well-defined source such as sewage treatment plant effluent from industrial dischargers. . .for purposes of the Clean Water Act, agricultural return flows are not regulated as a point source

pore spaces - the open areas, or spaces, in soil, sediments, and rocks that are filled by air or water

porosity - a measure of the ratio of open space within a rock or soil to its total volume

POTWs (Public Owned Treatment Works) - sewage treatment plants

precipitation - water falling toward the Earth’s surface in the form of rain, drizzle, hail, sleet, or snow

pumping lift - distance water must be lifted in a well from the pumping level to the ground surface

pumping plant - facility that lifts water up and over hills

 

R

reclaimed water - wastewater that has been cleaned so that it can be reused for most purposes except drinking

recharge - increases in groundwater storage from precipitation, infiltration from streams, or human activity (artificial recharge), such as putting surface water into spreading basins

relative humidity - the ratio of the amount of moisture in the air to the maximum amount of moisture the air could hold under the same conditions; usually expressed as a percentage

reservoir - a pond or lake where water is collected and stored until it is needed

rills - small grooves, furrows, or channels in soil made by water flowing down over its surface; also another name for a stream - usually a small stream

runoff - liquid water that travels over the surface of the Earth, moving downward due to the law of gravity; runoff is one way in which water that falls as precipitation returns to the ocean

 

S

saltation - the movement of sand or fine sediment by short jumps above a streambed under the influence of a water current too weak to keep it permanently suspended in the moving water

salinity - saltiness

saturation - the condition of being filled to capacity

sea ice - solid water that forms when ocean or sea water freezes

section 319 grants - grants for nonpoint source pollution programs

sediments - fragments of material produced by weathering and erosion of rocks

sedimentation - the process of particles in water settling to the bottom of a tank

selenium - a non-metallic element in the same chemical group as sulfur; its compounds are harmful to wildlife or people when found above certain levels in water

septic tank - a sewage disposal tank in which bacteria decompose waste

sheet wash - a flow of rainwater that covers the entire ground surface with a thin film and is not concentrated into streams

sleet - precipitation that consists of clear pellets of ice; sleet is formed when raindrops fall through a layer of cold air and freeze

snow - precipitation that consists of frozen flakes formed when water vapor accumulates on ice crystals, going directly to the ice phase

soil - sediment on or near the Earth’s surface that is formed by the chemical and physical weathering of rocks as well as the decay of living matter

soil subsidence - the lowering of the normal level of the ground, usually due to overpumping of water or oil from wells

spawn - to produce or deposit eggs, as those of aquatic animals

spring - groundwater seeping or flowing out of the Earth’s surface; springs occur where the water table reaches the surface

SRF (State Revolving Fund) - funding, in the form of loans, available for the control of point and nonpoint source pollution

steam - water vapor that rises from boiling water

stream - the type of runoff where water flows in a channel downhill because of the pull of gravity

sublimation - formation of a gas from a solid, or vice-versa, without passing through the liquid phase

subsidence - sinking of the land surface due to a number of factors, of which groundwater extraction is one

subsurface water - all water - solid, liquid or gaseous - that occurs beneath the Earth’s surface; located below the water table in the zone of saturation

surface runoff - water flowing along the ground into rivers, lakes, and oceans

surface water - all water, fresh and salty, on the Earth’s surface

suspended - the state of floating in water rather than being dissolved in it

suspension - a method of sediment transport in which air or water turbulence supports the weight of the sediment particles, thereby keeping them from settling out or being deposited

 

T

thermal spring - a warm or hot water spring; many occur in regions of recent volcanic activity and are fed by water heated by contact with hot rocks far below Earth’s surface

till - a deposit of sediment formed under a glacier, consisting of an unlayered mixture of clay, silt, sand, and gravel ranging widely in size and shape

topsoil - the top layer of soil; topsoil can grow better crops partly because it has more organic matter (humus), allowing it to hold more water than lower soil layers

toxic - poisonous; harmful to living organisms

transpiration - evaporation of water through the leaves of plants

trihalomethanes, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene - organic compounds which may be harmful to health at certain levels in drinking water

turbidity - the state of having sediment or foreign particles suspended or stirred up in water

 

U

unconfined aquifer - an aquifer that discharges and recharges with an upper surface that is the water table

unsaturated zone - the subsurface zone, usually starting at the land surface and ending at the water table, that includes both water and air in spaces between rocks

usable storage capacity - the quantity of groundwater of acceptable quality that can be economically withdrawn from storage

 

W

wastewater - water that has waste material in it

wastewater treatment - cleaning wastewater

water cycle - the movement of water from the air to and below the Earth’s surface and back into the air

water quality - the condition of water as it relates to impurities

water reclamation - treating wastewater so that it can be used again

water table - (1) the boundary in the ground between where the ground is saturated with water (zone of saturation) and where the ground is filled with water and air (zone of aeration); (2) the upper surface of the saturated zone that determines the water level in a well in an unconfined aquifer

water vapor - the gaseous state of water

watershed - a geographical portion of the Earth’s surface from which water drains or runs off to a single place like a river; also called a drainage area

well - a hole or shaft drilled into the earth to get water or other underground substances

 

X

xeriscape - landscaping that doesn’t require a lot of water

 

Z

zanja - Spanish word for ditch

zone of aeration - the portion of the ground from the Earth’s surface down to the water table - the zone of aeration is not saturated with water because its pores are filled partly by air and partly by water

zone of saturation - the portion of the ground below the water table where all the pores in rock, sediment, and soil are filled with water 

 

Active Rainwater Harvesting
Active rainwater harvesting is where rainwater is stored for use at a later date. Rainwater can be used in many ways once it has been stored, i.e. for irrigation, fountains, ponds, animals, and domestic uses for humans.

Arroyo
From the Spanish word translated as 'brook', an arroyo is a water-carved gully or channel. The main drainage network from an upper watershed in desert ecosystems, arroyos are typically dry with no running water unless there is significant snowmelt, or a large storm event in the area.

Berm
A mound of soil piled, shaped and compacted on the downhill side of a plant or tree to direct and harvest any available runoff water.

Blackwater
Blackwater is the water from the kitchen sink and the toilets.

Boomerang
A berm built in the shape of a boomerang on the downhill side of a plant or tree. The most efficient water harvesting structure, it collects water from a larger surface area uphill because of the open shape.

Branched drain greywater system
A greywater system that moves water from one main drain line and separates it into several different drain lines. A branched drain greywater system can water multiple areas at once.

Canale
A typical drainage structure for flat roof homes in the Southwest. A canale helps to send water away from the house when it is coming off the roof.

Cistern
A receptacle for holding water. Often cisterns are built to catch and store rainwater.

Downspout
A drainage device that is attached to gutters or canales. Usually made of metal or copper, downspouts can transport water to a beneficial location in the landscape and away from the foundation of the house.

Drip Irrigation System
A watering process in which water flows through tubing and is delivered to plants roots via emitters or sprayers. The rate of water flow is adjustable, minimizing water runoff and reducing the amount of water that is lost through evaporation. This type of irrigation system also provides a more consistent rate of moisture to individual plants.

Edible Landscaping
Landscaping that incorporates fruit and nut trees, berries, herbs, vegetables and vines that are
both decorative and food producing, giving you the best of both worlds.

Erosion Control
Effective erosion control techniques prevent soil loss and water pollution and can involve the creation of physical barriers, such as vegetation or rock, to absorb the erosive potential of wind or water. Although erosion is a natural process, the fragile soils in the high desert are very susceptible to major erosion. Erosion frequently goes unchecked in the southwest, and with minimal techniques to help sediment deposition, vegetation can be re-established. Vegetation is what we need to hold soil in place, bringing the land back to a healthier state.

Fish Scales
Multiple boomerang structures installed on a slope, connecting together to form numerous basins for water harvesting.

Gabion
An erosion control structure that is a wire basket filled with rock. Gabions help to control erosion by maintaining an uphill gradient where soil has been eroding.

Greywater / Graywater / Gray Water
Greywater is water that has been used in the house and comes from bathroom sinks, shower, baths and washing machines.

Groundwater
Groundwater is the water that makes it through the first layer of soil and is stored in the ground where it is usable by plants.

Gully
A small drainage area that usually leads to an arroyo. A feeder drainage to a larger arroyo.

Irrigation Systems
Irrigation is a key component to any landscape. Irrigation systems can be fed from municipal water sources, wells – and even better – water catchment systems. Using rainwater as a primary irrigation source is a sustainable way to grow a healthy landscape (rainwater is balanced in pH, has beneficial microorganisms, is low in Total Dissolved Solids/TDS and salts, and is charged from electrical storms) and helps with overall water conservation.

One Rock Dam
A simple structure where a single layer of rock is added to a drainage area to control the speed of water moving through it, and control sediment movement downhill. ORDs are usually about 4’ wide  and can be installed on contour or simply in the low point of a drainage area.

Passive Water Harvesting
Passive water harvesting is where rainwater is stored on the site where it falls, and is infiltrated into the ground for landscapes and groundwater recharge.

Permaculture
Permaculture (Permanent Agriculture) was a term coined by Bill Mollison in the 1970's. It is the integration of human society with a form of perennial agriculture that mimics the patterns of nature and ecological systems. Permaculture is an idea that can help us achieve a more sustainable future by working with Nature, and seeing ourselves as part of Nature.

Permaculture Design
Permaculture design mimics the relationships found in natural ecologies and encourages self-sufficiency, co-habitation, and synergistic living with nature. Permaculture design can help create sustainable landscapes that build soil, grow food for people and wildlife, conserve water, moderate flood and drought conditions, moderate temperature fluctuations, create natural habitats, regulate pests and increase biodiversity.

Potable
"Drinking water" or potable water is water of sufficiently high quality that can be safely consumed or used domestically.

Pumice Wick Greywater System
A pumice wick greywater system functions in a similar way to a rainwater pumice wick infiltration system. Greywater can be gravity fed out to an area that will be landscaped, or to existing trees, and put into a pumice wick. A pumice wick is a trench that is lined with geotextile fabric, filled with pumice, and has a perforated pipe running level throughout the trench. This level pipe allows the water (rain or grey) to move through the entire area of the trench equally. The pumice provides air space and keeps the area full of oxygen. The water can then be "wicked" out of the structure by the plant roots.

Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the gathering and accumulation of rainwater. Rainwater harvesting can be either active or passive. Passive water harvesting is where rainwater is stored on the site where it falls, and is infiltrated into the ground for landscapes and groundwater recharge. Active rainwater harvesting is where rainwater is stored for use at a later date. Rainwater can be used in many ways once it has been stored, i.e. for irrigation, fountains, ponds, animals, and domestic uses for humans.

Rivulet
A rivulet is a very small drainage that usually feeds a gully.

Sludgehammer Treatment Unit
An aerobic bacterial generating device placed into septic tanks to remove excess nitrogen and keep the septic tank full of oxygen. Waste and unoxygenated bacteria are the primary reason for failure of traditional septic systems.

Sunken Bed
A planting bed that has been dug out so that it is below the existing grade. A sunken bed greatly increases the amount of water a plant has access to.

Sustainable Landsites
Sustainable landsites are landscapes that can grow and thrive without the constant intervention of human resources. Most take a good amount of time and resources to fully establish. Sustainable landscapes eventually provide a constant working relationship and ecological merging of the plants and organisms living within the landscape.

Swale
A trench that is installed along a landscape on contour. A swale has the excavated soil from the trench compiled on the downhill side, and is designed to harvest runoff water from the land.

Terraces
Land forms that level the grade of a landscape and help control erosion and infiltrate water. Terraces can be built using a variety of materials such as rock, concrete, and wood.

Wastewater
In water recycling terms, water typically thought of as wasted, i.e. sink water, bathwater, toilet water.

Water Recycling
Rainwater, greywater and blackwater are all water sources that we generally don't think of as resources that are available to us. Why not get as much use from water as possible? Reuse of all three water sources are legal in New Mexico. In nature, water is used as many times as possible before leaving the landscape as groundwater or evaporation. We can utilize this same conservationist approach to maximize potential water use.

Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping utilizes water-conserving techniques, such as using drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and efficient irrigation to create sustainable landscapes.

Zuni Bowl
An erosion control structure built from rock that stops erosion with the use of rock bowls, creating a place where water moving through a steep gully or arroyo can drop sediment and infiltrate the ground.