Water and Wastewater Utilities Flashcards
6 cards from real Energy and Utilities practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Water and Wastewater Utilities flashcards as text
What is 'potable water'?
Answer: Water safe for human consumption meeting drinking water standards
Potable water is water that meets safe drinking water standards and is suitable for human consumption without risk of health effects.
What is 'aquifer recharge' and why is it important for utilities?
Answer: The natural or managed replenishment of groundwater aquifers that serve as drinking water sources
Aquifer recharge is the process by which surface water percolates down to replenish groundwater; sustaining recharge rates protects long-term water supply.
What does 'cross-connection' mean in drinking water system protection?
Answer: An unprotected link between a potable water supply and a potential source of contamination
A cross-connection is any physical link between a potable water supply and a source of contamination that could allow backflow of contaminants.
What is 'advanced metering infrastructure' (AMI) in water utility applications?
Answer: Smart two-way meters that automatically transmit water usage data and detect leaks
AMI water meters communicate hourly or daily usage data wirelessly, enabling near real-time leak detection and improved customer billing accuracy.
What is 'tertiary treatment' at a wastewater plant?
Answer: Advanced polishing processes to further remove nutrients, solids, or pathogens beyond secondary treatment
Tertiary treatment uses advanced processes like filtration, UV disinfection, or nutrient removal to produce high-quality effluent suitable for reuse or sensitive water body discharge.
What is a 'source water protection plan' for a public water system?
Answer: A strategy to identify and reduce contamination risks to the watershed or aquifer that supplies a drinking water system
Source water protection plans identify potential contamination threats in the recharge area or watershed and establish measures to prevent them from reaching the water supply.