The wastewater industry uses a number of unique terms and acronyms in the treatment process. Understanding the following terms can help you better understand wastewater treatment.

Acid

Any substance that has a ph level below 7.

Acre Foot (AF)

The volume of water needed to cover one acre at a depth of one foot. An acre foot is equivalent to 325,851 gallons.

ADM

Anaerobically digestible material. At VVWRA, ADM is usually liquified food waste that is trucked in and used to make renewable natural gas.

Aeration Basin

A large basin where air is added to the water to aid in the biological treatment of the waste.

Aerobic treatment

A biological process that uses oxygen to break down organic contaminants and other pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorous.

Anaerobic treatment

A biological process where microorganisms are used to break down organic contaminants in the absence of oxygen. VVWRA uses anaerobic digesters in its treatment process.

Aqua Diamond Filters

A unique filtering process used at VVWRA that uses two proven technologies: travelling bridge and cloth media filters. The filter is able to remove microscopic particles.

Aquifer

An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, rock fractures or other materials like sand or gravel. It is natures way of storing water.

Backflow

A flow of liquid in the opposite direction desired.

Bacteria

Single celled microorganisms that are free living or grow on and derive nourishment from dead or decaying organic matter. Bacteria account for 95% of the microorganisms in wastewater and feed on the organic waste.

Bar Screen

A screening device with parallel bars about 1" apart. Usually used in the early stages of treatment, the bar screen captures larger things like sticks, rocks, toilet paper and other hygiene products.

Biosolids

Nutrient rich organic material obtained from the wastewater treatment process and used as fertilizer. Dried biosolids from VVWRA are used to fertilize non food crops like hay and alfalfa.

BMP

Best management practices.

Brown Bear

A large hydrostatic tractor with spinning front elements that mix biosolids in the drying beds to speed up the drying of biosolids.

Clean Water Act

Passed by congress in 1972, this is the primary Federal law in the United States governing water pollution.

Contaminant

Any substance that when added to water makes it impure and/or unfit for consumption or use.

CWEA

California Water Environment Association. CWEA educates and certifies water quality professionals while promoting sound environmental policies.

Digester

A large tank in which sludge is placed to allow decomposition by microorganisms. VVWRA's digesters are anaerobic, meaning there is no oxygen used in the process.

Discharge

An outflow of water from a stream, pipe or other system. At VVWRA, our outflow of clean recycled water is piped into the Mojave River.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Microscopic bubbles of oxygen that can be found in water.

Drying Bed

A large basin where treated and thickened sludge is spread to dry in the sun.

Downstream

In the direction of the streams flow.

Effluent

Highly treated wastewater, or recycled water, that is discharged from a treatment facility.

Evaporation

The process when water changes from a liquid  to a gaseous state and rises into the air. Sunshine, heat and wind can speed up the rate of evaporation.

Floatable Matter

Waste that floats on the surface of the water like oil and grease.

Floc

Particles that clump together to form a cluster because of actions of bacteria or through the use of chemical coagulants like polymer.

FOG

Fats, oils and grease.

GBT

Gravity belt thickener. A large machine that removes water from treated sludge to help speed up the drying process.

GPM

Gallons per minute. (A measurement of flow)

Groundwater

Water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices of rock. This is the primary source of water in the Victor Valley.

Influent

The untreated wastewater coming into a wastewater treatment plant like VVWRA.

Interceptor

A large sewer line that receives flow from a number of smaller sewer lines and conducts the wastewater to a treatment plant.

Irrigation

The controlled application of water to crops, gardens, parks and golf courses. Recycled water can be used for irrigation.

MGD

Million Gallons per Day.

Nitrogen

Percolation Pond

A pond where recycled water is allowed to percolate or seep into the ground.

Recycled water flows into a percolation pond.

Percolate

The movement of water from the surface down into the soil and rock. When VVWRA releases recycled water into the Mojave River, it percolates into the ground and recharges the aquifer.

ph

A classification of acid or base materials on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 representing neutrality.

Polymer

A chemical coagulant that helps bind small particles into larger chemical flocs for easier removal from the water.

Potable Water

Water that is safe for humans to consume.

PPM

Parts per million. A measurement commonly used in representing pollutant concentrations.

Primary Clarifier

A rectangular basin that allows substances in the wastewater that float or settle to be separated from the wastewater.

Recycled Water

Highly treated wastewater that has been filtered and disinfected for reuse for things like irrigation and groundwater recharge.

RNG

Renewable Natural Gas. RNG is created at VVWRA by collecting and treating the biogas (methane) created by the waste. The RNG is then injected into a natural gas pipeline.

Secondary Clarifier

A treatment device that consists of a circular tank that allows the separation of substances that settle or float that were not removed by previous treatment processes.

Settled Solids

Solid waste that is heavy and settles to the bottom of the container or basin it is held in.

Sewage

The wastewater carried through a sewer line from residential, business or industrial uses. Sewage is typically more than 99% water.

Sludge Judge

A long cylindrical sampling device used to determine the amount of settled solids in the treatment process.

Suspended Solids

Small particles that remain in suspension in water.

Turbidity

The cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles that are generally invisible to the eye.

UV

Ultraviolet light. VVWRA uses powerful UV lights to disinfect recycled water.

Wastewater

Water that has been used in a home, business or part of an industrial process.

Wastewater Treatment Operator

Operator

Operators are the individuals responsible for running the equipment and processes that clean wastewater. Operators are required to be certified by the State of California.

Senior Operator Johnny Bustos checks for water clarity.

Water Quality

The chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water with respect to its suitability for a particular use.

WAS (pronounced wh-ahh-zz)

Waste Activated Sludge. The excess quantity of microorganisms that must be removed from the process to keep the biological system in balance.