Print
Friday, April 19, 2024, 6:45 AM
Site: Pa. DEP Operator eLearning Center
Course: Pa. DEP Operator eLearning Center (PADEP)
Glossary: Course Glossary
DRINKING WATER

Alkalinity

  1. A measure of the ability of water to neutralize an acid. It is measured in terms of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, present in the water.
    • (COA01) Coagulation – Part 1: The Chemistry of Coagulation (1248)
    • (COA02) Coagulation – Part 2: Coagulation Chemicals (1249)
    • (DBP40) Enhanced Coagulation – Basics (1280)
    • (DBP43) Jar Testing for Process Control of Conventional Filtration: Part 1 (2019)
  2. A measure of the ability of water or wastewater to neutralize acids. It is measured in terms of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, present in the water. Alkalinity, which is expressed in milligrams per liter of equivalent calcium carbonate, is not the same as pH because water does not have to be strongly basic (high pH) to have a high alkalinity. Alkalinity is a measure of how much acid must be added to a liquid to lower the pH to 4.5.
    • (BNR01) Nitrification and Denitrification – An Introduction to Nitrogen Removal (1485)
    • (BNR02) Nitrification Factors – Suspended Growth Treatment Systems (1821)
  3. The capacity of water or wastewater to neutralize acids. This capacity is caused by the water's content of carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide and occasionally borate, silicate and phosphate. Alkalinity is expressed in milligrams per liter of equivalent calcium carbonate. Alkalinity is not the same as pH because water does not have to be strongly basic (high pH) to have a high alkalinity. Alkalinity is a measure of how much acid must be added to a liquid to lower the pH to 4.5.
    • (BIO10) Estimating Sludge Volume (2343)

Alternative Compliance Criteria

Alternative Compliance Criteria (ACC)— Alternative criteria that can be used to achieve either monthly or annual compliance with the enhanced coagulation requirements of the DBP Rule.

Basicity

The concentration of OH- ions in a solution, measured as pH or, alternatively, pOH. A solution is basic if it has a pH higher than 7.0 or a pH lower than 7.0.
  • (DBP43) Jar Testing for Process Control of Conventional Filtration: Part 1 (2019)

Booster Chlorination

Water is treated with an additional boost of chlorine from within the distribution system.

Typical Water System showing Chlorine Booster Station

  • (DBP20) DBP Rule Monitoring and Reporting for PWSs Using Chlorine Dioxide (1278)

Bottled Water System

A public water system that provides water for bottling in sealed bottles or other sealed containers. The term includes, but is not limited to, the sources of water and treatment, storage, bottling, manufacturing and distribution facilities. The term does not include a public water system that provides only a source of water supply for a bottled water system and excludes an entity providing only transportation, distribution or sale of bottled water in sealed bottles or other sealed containers.

  • (DBP15) DBP Rule – Maintaining Compliance for Pa. PWSs using Chlorine/Chloramines (1570)
  • (TCR01) Total Coliform Rule – Overview (1424)
  • (TCR02) Total Coliform Rule – Monitoring And Reporting Requirements (1425)
  • (TCR03) Total Coliform Rule – Maintaining Compliance (1426)

Bottled, Vended, Retail, & Bulk-delivered Water Systems

Bottled, Vended, Retail, & Bulk-delivered Water Systems – (BVRB)

  • (TCR01) Total Coliform Rule – Overview (1424)
  • (TCR02) Total Coliform Rule – Monitoring And Reporting Requirements (1425)
  • (TCR03) Total Coliform Rule – Maintaining Compliance (1426)

Buffering Capacity

The ability of a solution to neutralize acids without a significant change in pH. Buffering capacity is also known as alkalinity and is measured in mg/L of equivalent CaCO3, a common buffer.

Bulk Water-Hauling System

A public water system that provides water piped into a carrier vehicle and withdrawn by a similar means into the user's storage facility or vessel. The term includes, but is not limited to, the source of water, treatment, storage or distribution facilities. The term does not include a public water system that provides only a source of water supply for a bulk water hauling system.

  • (DBP15) DBP Rule – Maintaining Compliance for Pa. PWSs using Chlorine/Chloramines (1570)
  • (TCR01) Total Coliform Rule – Overview (1424)
  • (TCR02) Total Coliform Rule – Monitoring And Reporting Requirements (1425)
  • (TCR03) Total Coliform Rule – Maintaining Compliance (1426)

 

BVRB

BVRB - Bottled, Vended, Retail, & Bulk-delivered water systems

  • (TCR01) Total Coliform Rule – Overview (1424)
  • (TCR02) Total Coliform Rule – Monitoring And Reporting Requirements (1425)
  • (TCR03) Total Coliform Rule – Maintaining Compliance (1426)

Ca(OH)2

Ca(OH)2
Calcium hydroxide – Slake lime, a white powdery substance that is difficult and unpleasant to handle. Neutralization is rapidly effected.

  • (DBP40) Enhanced Coagulation – Basics (1280)