Water Kit - Hunter Water

Shoreline outfall
Disposal of treated effluent by pipe
into the surf zone of a beach, or from a
headland.
Sludge - see Biosolids
Soilbed filter
Reduces odours by filtering through
layers of soil and pinebark mix.
Stormwater
Rainwater that runs off land and flows
directly into creeks, rivers, lakes,
harbours and oceans.
Surcharge
Sewage that overflows from pipes,
manholes and pumping stations.
Sustainability
The ability of a system to replenish
itself, see Ecologically Sustainable
Development
Total Catchment Management
Ecologically sustainable management
of land, plants, water in catchments.
Trade waste
Liquid waste from business/industry
that requires special treatment. It can
contain food residues, greases, oils,
toxic substances and metals. A trade
waste policy between Hunter Water and
business/industry customers restricts
toxic and other potentially harmful
liquid substances being discharged to
the sewerage system. The policy sets
charges and limits the discharge of
such waste to the sewer system.
Transpiration
Water loss from plants into the
atmosphere.
Trunkmain
A large water main or sewer pipe.
Wastewater
The spent or used water from a home,
community, farm, or industry that
contains dissolved or suspended
matter is called sewage or wastewater.
Sewage from homes, business and
industry can be discharged to the
sewer (wastewater transport system) or
to septic tanks. This includes sewage
from toilets, kitchens, bathrooms and
laundries.
Water
Pure water is a colourless, odourless
liquid that is a compound of hydrogen
and oxygen. Natural water in the
environment is never pure, but contains
a variety of dissolved substances.
Sea water, for example, is a solution
of sodium chloride and other salts;
rainwater can be acidic because of
the carbon dioxide it contains and the
water in rivers may include minerals
dissolved from the rocks over and
through which it has flowed. Water can
exist as a solid (ice), liquid (water), or
gas (water vapour) and changes readily
from one to the other, either releasing or
taking up energy as it does so.
Water Conservation Labelling
A scheme similar to the five-star
energy rating to identify water efficient
appliances.
Water cycle
The circulation of water around
the earth through evaporation and
transpiration, condensation into clouds,
precipitation as rain, ice or snow, runoff
into waterways before beginning again.
Water Management Licence
A licence issued to water authorities
including Hunter Water by the
Department of Infrastructure, Planning &
Natural Resources for the extraction and
use of water from rivers and aquifers.
Water quality
The definition of water quality varies
depending on the proposed use. Water
intended for irrigation or industrial
purposes does not have to meet the
same standards as water intended for
drinking. However, there are factors that
determine water quality whatever the
use - these are its physical, chemical
and biological properties.
Water Sensitive Urban Design
Design of building and landscaping to
create low-impact developments that
mimic natural catchment hydrology
functions ie discharge, frequency,
recharge and volume.
Weir
A dam in a river or stream.
Wetland
A low-lying area that is periodically
covered with water, which supports a
diverse ecosystem.
Woodlot
A tree plantation that is irrigated by
treated effluent, ie recycled water.
Water kit . ssS . 001 . april 2010
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