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Glossary
Check out the terms below if there are any we’ve mentioned that you’re unsure about?
Aquifer
An underground layer of permeable rock that can hold groundwater.
Combined Sewer
Carries both sewage and storm run-off.
DEFRA 12/24 Method
A type of method used when counting a spill via Event Duration Monitoring.
Drains
These are the drainage pipes that serve a property. A pipe or channel that is used to carry away waste matter and water from a building, or an opening in the road that rain water can flow down.
Drainage Time
The time it takes for an area to fully drain after a period of rainfall or flooding.
Dry Day
A day when rainfall does not exceed 0.25mm.
Dry Spill
When raw sewage entering a waterway when there has been no rainfall.
Dry Weather Flow (DWF)
The average daily flow to a waste water treatment works during a period without rain.
Early Spill
When sewage is spilled before it should, such as it is not treated enough.
Event Duration Monitoring (EDM)
A monitor which measures the frequency and duration of releases to the environment (sewage) from storm overflows.
Environment Agency
EA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs who aim to protect and improve the environment
False Spill
When a spill is triggered by equipment failure such as faulty sensors.
Flow to Full Treatment (FFT)
A measure of how much wastewater a treatment works must be able to treat at any time.
Flood Forcasting Service
A dedicated team in one national centre based in the Met Office headquarters in Exeter. They provide forcasts for all natural forms of flooding which help support flood responders plan for flood response in England and Wales.
Grit
Heavy, inorganic matter, such as sand or pebbles.
Groundwater
Groundwater is the water present beneath Earth's surface in rock and soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. About 30 percent of all readily available freshwater in the world is groundwater.
Inlet
An entryway into something (i.e. a place where sewage enters).
Misconnection
Misconnections in private pipework place extra surface water volumes into the networks contributing to the overflow.
Natured Based Solutions
Solutions that are natural, such as ponds, tree pits, wetlands and rain gardens. They equally benefit humans and wildlife.
Non-Statutory Duties
Duties which are carried out by a organisation but are not required by law.
Outlet
An opening to allow something to pass out
Pumping Station
A large tank that acts as a storage and distribution chamber for sewage.
3X Spill
The overflow from storm tanks into waterways, after heavy or prolonged rainfall.
6X Spill
When raw sewage is spilled from the inlet works into the waterway.
Sewage
Used water and waste substances that are produced by human bodies, that are carried away from houses and factories through special pipes.
Sewage Treatment Plant
Sewage treatment is the process of cleaning up sewage so that it doesn't pollute the environment. It uses different methods, such as sedimentation, aeration, filtration, and chlorination, to remove harmful stuff from the water.
Sewers
A sewer is an underground pipe that carries sewage or transports the sewage from homes and commercial buildings to the sewage treatment plants, where the sewage can be treated.
Statutory Duties
Duties which are required by law to carry out.
Storm Overflows
This is designed to act as a relief valve when the sewage system is at risk of overflowing during heavy rain. The overflow is designed to release excess water into the waterways.
Storm Tank
An area which fills with excess water from a sewage system when it is raining heavily, to prevent the treatment plant from overflowing.
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure how “mucky” water is; the greater the turbidity the murkier the water. The amount of dirt, algae and other things floating in the water will reduce the penetration of light into the water.
Water Cycle
The water cycle is a biogeochemical cycle that describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.
Wastewater
Wastewater is contaminated water that must undergo treatment before being released into other bodies of water. If the water is not treated, it can cause further contamination.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water sources by substances which make the water unusable for drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other activities. Pollutants include chemicals, rubbish, bacteria, and parasites. All forms of pollution eventually make their way to the water.