Water Glossary

From catchment to tap, water management has its own vocabulary. Here's a plain-English guide to the terms.

Whether you're reading up on your tank water or putting together a water supply management plan, these are the words worth knowing.

A

Aeration: Introducing oxygen into stored water — usually to lift oxygen in the lower layers of a tank, reduce anaerobic conditions and clear rotten-egg odours.
Anaerobic: Lacking oxygen. Deep, still water at the bottom of a tank can turn anaerobic, letting bacteria break down sediment and produce hydrogen sulphide (the "rotten egg" smell).
Aquifer: An underground layer of rock or sand that holds groundwater — the source drawn on by a bore or spear.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG): The national framework, issued by the NHMRC, for supplying safe, good-quality drinking water. It sets guideline values and promotes a preventive, risk-based approach.

Backflow prevention: A device or plumbing arrangement that stops used or contaminated water flowing back into a clean supply.
Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms. Most are harmless, but some — such as E. coli — signal contamination and can make water unsafe to drink.
Biofilm: A slimy layer of microorganisms that builds up on tank walls, pipes and fittings. It can shelter bacteria and cause tastes and odours.
Bore water: Water pumped from an underground aquifer through a drilled bore. Quality varies and it often needs testing and treatment before drinking.

Carted water: Water delivered by tanker to top up a tank — for example during a dry spell. Its quality depends on the carter's source.
Catchment: The surface that collects your water — typically the roof and gutters feeding a rainwater tank. A clean catchment is the first line of defence.
Chlorination: Dosing water with chlorine to kill pathogens. Effective for disinfection, but needs the right dose and contact time.
Coliforms / E. coli: Indicator bacteria used in water testing. Their presence points to contamination — E. coli specifically indicates faecal material and a real health risk.
Contamination: The presence of harmful microorganisms, chemicals or physical matter that makes water unsafe or unpleasant.
Cryptosporidium & Giardia: Waterborne protozoan parasites that cause gastro. They're resistant to chlorine, so filtration or UV is usually needed to remove them.

Disinfection: The step that kills or inactivates disease-causing organisms — commonly UV light or chlorine.

Filtration: Passing water through a medium (such as a cartridge or membrane) to strip out sediment, particles and some microorganisms.
First-flush diverter: A simple device that diverts the dirtiest first run of roof water — with its dust, leaves and droppings — away from the tank.

Groundwater: Water held beneath the surface in soil and rock, accessed via bores and spears. See also Bore water.

Hazard: Anything biological, chemical or physical that could cause harm through the water — a dead animal in a tank, lead flashing on a roof, or a spike in turbidity.
Hazard identification: Working through a supply to spot everything that could contaminate it — the starting point of a risk management plan.

Legionella: Bacteria that can multiply in warm, stagnant water systems and cause Legionnaires' disease if inhaled as a mist.

Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles now found in many water sources. Fine filtration can reduce them.

Pathogen: A microorganism that causes disease — bacteria, viruses or protozoa.
pH: A measure of how acidic or alkaline water is. Low pH can corrode pipes and fittings; it affects taste, treatment and metals in the water.
Potable water: Water that is safe to drink and to use for preparing food.
Preventive measure (control): An action that reduces a risk — gutter guards, a first-flush diverter, keeping the roof clean, disinfection, regular tank cleaning.

Reticulated water: Mains or "town" water piped to a property by a water utility, and treated to a regulated standard.
Risk: The chance that a hazard actually causes harm, combined with how serious that harm would be.
Risk assessment: Weighing up the hazards in a supply so the most important ones can be controlled first.

Sanitisation: Reducing microorganisms to a safe level — for example the sanitising step in the QuadClean™ tank-cleaning process.
Sediment (sludge): Organic and inorganic matter that settles at the bottom of a tank over time. It feeds bacteria and should be removed by periodic cleaning.

Turbidity: The cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles. High turbidity looks unpleasant and can shield pathogens from disinfection.

Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection: Using UV light to inactivate bacteria, viruses and parasites as water passes through the unit — no chemicals added.

Water Supply Management Plan (WSMP): A written plan that identifies the hazards to a water supply and sets out the controls, monitoring and responses to keep it safe. Also called a Quality Assurance Program (QAP).
Waterborne disease: Illness spread by drinking or contacting contaminated water — commonly gastro from bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Book a no-obligation onsite inspection and water test with your local Pristine Water Systems operator.