Ensuring Clean Water for California

California Association of Sanitation Agencies

Members
 

Newsroom

 

Definition of Terms - C

California Administrative Code (CAC)
The codification of California laws that regulates the operation of governments in the State.
California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal-EPA)
The state agency, established by the legislature, with overall responsibility for administering California's environmental laws and regulations.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The California legislative enactment (California Public Resources Code 2100 and following) which requires public agencies to assess and mitigate the environmental impacts of public and private projects before governmental authorization of the project is granted.
callable bond
A type of bond which permits the issuer to pay the obligation before the stated maturity date by giving notice of redemption in a manner specified in the bond contract.
calorie
The amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 °C, at one atmosphere of pressure.
capacity
(1) The quantity that can be contained exactly, or the rate of flow that can be carried exactly. (2) The load for which a machine, apparatus, station or system is rated.
capacity charge
See "connection charge."
capillary force(s)
The adhesive force between liquids and solids which, in the case of ground water hydrology, causes soil-pore liquid to move in response to differences in matrix potential. This effect caused groundwater to rise from a saturated zone into the unsaturated zone, thereby creating a capillary fringe.
capital assets
Assets of a relatively permanent nature.
capital expenditures
Expenditures which result in the acquisition of, or the addition to, capital (or fixed) assets.
capital outlay
Expenditures which result in the acquisition of or addition to fixed assets.
capital projects fund
A fund created to account for financial resources to be used for the acquisition or construction of major capital facilities (other than those financed by proprietary funds, Special Assessment Funds and Trust Funds).
carbon
(1) A non-metallic chemical element (symbol "C") that is the basis for all organic chemicals. (2) A solid material used for adsorption of pollutants.
carbonaceous oxygen demand
A quantitative measure of the amount of dissolved oxygen required for the biological oxidation of carbon-containing compounds in a sample. Same as biochemical oxygen demand.
carbon adsorption
The use of either granular or powdered carbon to remove organic compounds from wastewater or effluent. Organic molecules in solution are drawn to the highly porous surface of the carbon by inter-molecular attraction forces.
carbon cycle
A graphical presentation of the conservation of matter in nature, showing the transformation of organic matter through various stages of decomposition and assimilation. The movement of carbon among living and non-living matter is used to illustrate general biological principles which are applicable to wastewater and sludge treatment.
carbon monoxide (CO)
A colorless, odorless gas which is toxic because of its tendency to reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
carcinogen
A chemical which has measured cancer causing effects to exposed animal or human populations.
carcinogenicity
The ability of a toxicant to cause cancer. There are many different types of cancer and many different ways in which a toxicant can trigger cancerous processes.
carrying capacity
The maximum rate of flow that a conduit, channel or other hydraulic structure is capable of passing.
California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA)
A membership organization of various municipal agencies which provide wastewater collection, treatment, transportation and disposal in California.
cascade aerator
An aerating device built in the form of steps or an inclined plane on which are placed staggered projections arranged to break up the water and bring it into contact with air. Used to increase the dissolved oxygen in treated effluent.
cash
An asset account reflecting currency, coin, checks, postal and express money orders and bankers' drafts on hand or on deposit with an official or agent designated as custodian of cash and bank deposits. All cash must be accounted for as a part of the fund to which it belongs. Any restrictions or limitations as to its availability must be indicated in the records and statements. It is not necessary, however, to have a separate bank account for each fund unless required by law.
cash basis
A basis of accounting under which transactions are recognized only when cash changes hands.
cash equivalents
Short-term highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of change in value due to changes in interest rate.
catalyst
A chemical (e.g. enzyme) that changes the rate of a chemical reaction. The catalyst does not influence the equilibrium of the reaction, only its speed. The catalyst itself is not changed by the reaction.
catch basin
A chamber or inlet, usually built at the curbline of a street, which admits surface water for discharge into a stormwater drain.
cathodic
The negative terminal of an electrolytic cell, to which cations (positively-charged ions) flow.
cathodic protection
An electrical system for prevention of rust, corrosion and pitting of steel and iron surfaces in contact with water. A low-voltage current is made to flow through a liquid or a soil in contact with the metal in such a manner that the external electromotive force renders the metal structure cathodic and concentrates corrosion on auxiliary anodic parts used for the purpose.
cation
A positively charged ion in an electrolyte solution, attracted to the cathode under the influence of a difference in potential.
cavitation
(1) The formation and collapse of a vapor pocket or bubble on the blade of an impeller due to the internal pressure dropping below the atmospheric pressure of the liquid being pumped. The collapse causes water to be driven into the surface of the impeller with such force that pitting of the impeller surface may occur. (2) The formation of a cavity between the downstream surface of a moving body, for example, the blade of a propeller and a liquid normally in contact with it. (3) Describing the action of an operating centrifugal pump when it is attempting to discharge more water than suction can provide.
cell
That portion of compacted solid wastes in a landfill that is enclosed by natural soil cover or material during a designated period.
Celsius scale
The international name for the centigrade scale of temperature, on which the freezing point and boiling point are 0 and 100 °C respectively, at a barometric pressure of 1.013 x 105 Pa (760 mm Hg).
centigrade
A thermometer temperature scale in which 0 degrees marks the freezing point and 100 degrees the boiling point of water at 760 mm of mercury barometric pressure. Also called Celsius scale. To convert temperature on this scale to Fahrenheit, multiply by 9/5 and add 32.
centrifugal pump
A pump consisting of an impeller fixed on a rotating shaft and enclosed in a casing, and having an inlet and a discharge connection. The rotating impeller creates pressure in the liquid by the velocity derived from centrifugal force.
centrifugation
Imposition of a centrifugal force to separate solids from liquids based on density differences. In sludge dewatering, the separated solids commonly are called cake and the liquid is called centrate.
centrifuge
A mechanical device in which centrifugal force is used to separate solids from liquids and/or to separate liquids of different densities.
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program
A voluntary program administered by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to encourage governments to publish efficiently organized and easily readable comprehensive annual financial reports (CAFRs) and to provide peer recognition and technical assistance to the finance officers preparing them.
certificate of participation (COP)
Borrowing method based on leasing or installment purchase financing, secured by revenues and assets; similar to bonds but no voter approval is required.
Certified Engineering Geologist
A registered geologist, certified by the State of California, pursuant to section 7842 of the Business and Professions Code.
cesspool
A lined or partially lined underground pit into which raw household wastewater is discharged and from which the liquid seeps into the surrounding soil. Sometimes called leaching cesspool.
CFC-12
A chlorofluorocarbon with a trademark name of Freon, commonly used in refrigeration and automobile air conditioning.
CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)
A family of inert, nontoxic, and easily-liquefied chemicals used in refrigeration, air conditioning, packaging, insulation, or as solvents or aerosol propellants. Because CFCs are not destroyed in the lower atmosphere they drift into the upper atmosphere where the chlorine is released and destroys ozone.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
A United States Government document presenting federal agency rules, regulations and guidelines.
cubic feet per second (cfs)
A measure of the volumetric rate of flow of a fluid such as water, wastewater or gas. One cfs equals 4.719 x 10-4 m3/s or 448.8 gallons per minute.
cgs system
A metric system of physical measurements in which the fundamental units of length, mass and time are the centimeter, the gram and the mean solar second.
changed conditions
Conditions or circumstances, physical or otherwise, that alter the conditions or circumstances on which the contract documents were based.
change order
A written agreement or directive between contracted parties which represents an addition, deletion, or revision to the contract documents, identifies the change in price and time and describes the nature (scope) of the Work involved. Also known as Contract Modifications.
chemical coagulation
The destabilization and initial aggregation of colloidal and finely divided suspended matter by the addition of a coagulant (In wastewater treatment polymers are frequently used as the coagulant).
chemical evaluation
Chemical characteristics of a waterbody are examined to determine why a designated use is not being met and to determine the potential for a particular species to survive in the waterbody if the concentration of certain chemicals were modified.
chemical feeder
A device for dispensing a chemical at a predetermined rate for the treatment of water or wastewater. Change in rate of feed may be affected manually or automatically by flow-rate changes. Feeders are designed for solids, liquids or gases.
chemical oxidation
The oxidation of compounds in wastewater or water by chemical means; typical oxidants include ozone, chlorine, potassium permanganate.
chemical oxygen demand (COD)
A quantitative measure of the amount of oxygen required for the chemical oxidation of organic and inorganic material in wastewater using potassium dichromate as the oxidant in a two-hour test.
chemical precipitation
(1) Formation of particulates by addition of chemicals. (2) The process of softening water by the addition of lime or lime and soda to form insoluble compounds. Usually followed by sedimentation or filtration to remove the newly created suspended solid.
chemical sludge
Sludge obtained by treatment of water or wastewaters with inorganic coagulants.
chemical treatment
Any water or wastewater treatment process involving the addition of chemicals to obtain a desired result such as precipitation, coagulation, flocculation, sludge conditioning, disinfection or odor control.
chloramines
Compounds of organic or inorganic nitrogen and chlorine.
chlorination
The application of chlorine or chlorine compounds to water or wastewater, generally for the purpose of disinfection, but frequently for chemical oxidation and odor control.
chlorine
An element ordinarily existing as a greenish-yellow gas about 2.5 times as heavy as air. At atmospheric pressure and a temperature of -30.1 °F, the gas becomes an amber liquid about 1.5 times as heavy as water. The chemical symbol is Cl, atomic weight is 35.457 g, and molecular weight is 70.914 g. Elemental chlorine is diatomic and has the formula Cl2.
chlorine contact chamber
A detention basin provided to diffuse chlorine through water or wastewater and to provide adequate contact time for disinfection.
chlorine demand
The quantity of chlorine that would be consumed in a specified period by reaction with substances present in water, if the chlorine supply were not limited. The demand for any given water varies with both time of contact and temperature.
chlorine residual
The amount of chlorine in all forms remaining in water after treatment to ensure disinfection for a period of time.
chronic
A stimulus that lingers or continues for a relatively long period of time, often one-tenth of the life span or more. Chronic should be considered a relative term dependent on the life span of an organism. The measurement of a chronic effect can be reduced growth, reduced reproduction, etc., in addition to lethality.
chronic toxicity
(1) A fairly long-term adverse effect to an organism (when compared with the life span of the organism) caused by or related to appetite changes, growth, metabolism, reproduction, a pollutant, genetic mutation, etc. (2) Toxicity measured by a bioassay test that affects an organisms development and/or reproduction.
chronic toxicity unit (TUC )
A TUC = 100/NOEL. POTWs may have a TUC limit in their NPDES permit. i.e., a) an eleven sample median value of 10 TUC and b) a 90 percentile value of 20 TUC.
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
The lead agency for implementing the State municipal solid waste permit program that is deemed to be adequate by US EPA under regulations published pursuant to sections 2002 and 4005 of the RCRA.
claim
(1) A formal demand by a person to a public agency for monetary relief. See California Government Code 900 and following. (2) A formal demand for compensation, filed by a contractor or the owner with the other party, in accordance with provisions of the contract documents.
clarification
Any process or combination of processes, the primary purpose of which is to reduce the concentration of suspended matter in a liquid. Term formerly used as synonym of settling or sedimentation. In recent years latter terms preferable when describing settling process.
clarified wastewater
Wastewater from which most of the settleable solids have been removed by sedimentation. Also called settled wastewater.
clarifier
Any large circular or rectangular sedimentation tank that uses a combination of a quiescent zone for settling and a sludge blanket for "filtering" settleable solids in water or wastewater.
Class A
Biosolids with less than 1000 fecal coliforms per gram of total solids or less than 3 salmonella per 4 grams of total solids. In addition, one of the following options is required: 1) various time/temperature relationships, 2) high p] i, coupled with high temperature and air drying, 3) enumeration of enteric viruses and viable helm nth ova in sludge (<1 unit/4 grams), 4) enumeration of enteric viruses and viable helminth ova at time sludge is used/disposed (<1 unit/4 grams), 5) treated in a PFRP process, or 6) treated in a PFRP equivalent process.
Class B
Biosolids with the geometric mean of 7 samples less than 2 million fecal coliforms per gram of total solids, or biosolids that meet the PSRP or PSRP equivalent requirements.
Clean Air Act
Federal law which established national air pollution authority and mandated national ambient air quality standards be promulgated and enforced.
clean fuels
Blends and/or substitutes for gasoline fuels. These include compressed natural gas methanol, ethanol, and others.
cleanout
Any structure or device which is designed to provide access for the purpose of removing deposited or accumulated materials.
Clean Water Act
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) As amended by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (PL 92-500 and PL 93-243).
Clean Water Grant Program
A program that was administered by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), through which grantees in the State of California received state and federal grant funds for the construction of wastewater facilities. The Clean Water Grant Program has been replaced by the State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) program.
closed session
An exception to the open meeting requirements of the Brown Act which allows the legislative bodies of public agencies to meet in private for limited purposes such as certain personnel actions, pending litigation and real estate negotiations.
coagulants
A simple electrolyte, usually an inorganic salt or organic polymer containing a multivalent cation of iron, aluminum, or calcium, for example FeCl3, FeCl2, Al2(SO4)3, CaO. Also, an inorganic acid or base which induces coagulation of suspended solids.
coagulation
The conversion of colloidal (<0.001 mm) and dispersed (0.001 to 0.1 mm) particles into small visible coagulated particles (0.1 to 1 mm) by the addition of a coagulant. The coagulated particles are then removed by sedimentation and/or filtration. (See also "flocculation".)
coefficient of variation
The standard deviation divided by the mean. It is a statistical measure of the dispersion of individual samples relative to the mean value of the samples.
code
A compilation of rules, regulations or legislative enactments.
co-disposal
Joint disposal of biosolids and municipal refuse in one process or facility. Disposal can be intermediate, as with incineration or comporting; or final, as with placement in sanitary landfill.
coliform
One type of bacteria. The presence of coliform-group bacteria is an indication of possible pathogenic bacterial contamination. Fecal coliforms are those coliforms found in the feces of various warm-blooded animals; whereas the term "coliform" also includes bacteria from other environmental sources.
coliform-group bacteria
A group of bacteria predominantly inhabiting the intestines of man or animal, but also occasionally found elsewhere. It includes all aerobic and facultative anaerobic, gram-negative, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacteria that ferment lactose with production of gas. Also included are all bacteria that produce a dark, purplish-green metallic sheen by the membrane filter technique used for coliform identification. The two groups are not always identical, but they are generally of equal sanitary significance.
collection main
In collection systems, a sewer to which branch and submain sewers are tributary. Also called a trunk sewer. In plumbing, the public sewer to which a building service is connected.
collection system
In wastewater, a system of conduits, generally underground pipes, which receives and conveys sanitary wastewater and/or storm water. In water supply, a system of conduits or canals used to capture a water supply and convey it to a common point.
combined sewer
A sewer intended to receive both wastewater and storm or surface water.
combined sewer overflow (CSO)
Overflow out of the tops of manholes of the liquid from a combined sewer system. Normally associated with stormwater events where there is more flow entering the system than the conveyance lines can accommodate.
combined sewer system
A sewer system carrying both sanitary wastewaters as well as wastewaters resulting from storm drainage systems and surface runoffs.
combined system
A system of conduits, generally underground pipes, which receives and conveys both sanitary wastewater and storm water.
combined treatment
Joint treatment of municipal, commercial and industrial wastewaters.
combined wastewater
A mixture of surface runoff and other wastewater such as domestic or industrial wastewater.
commercial user
All retail stores, restaurants, office buildings, laundries and other private business and service establishments, including churches and lodges.
comminuting screen
A mechanically operated device for screening wastewater and cutting the screenings into particles sufficiently fine to pass through the screen openings. Commonly called comminutor or grinder.
comminutor
A shredding or grinding device that reduces the size of gross suspended materials in wastewater, without removing them from the liquid.
common sewer
A sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights.
competitive procurement
A procurement action in which all bidders are on equal footing in terms of qualifications, knowledge of the proposed contract and work to be done. The contract is usually awarded to the qualified, responsive and responsible bidder with the lowest price.
compliance schedule
A negotiated agreement between individuals from a pollutant source and a government agency that specifies dates and procedures by which a source will reduce emissions and, thereby, comply with a regulation.
Compliance Supplement
Published by the OMB as a supplement (revised September 1990) to the OMB Circular A-128, "Audits of State and Local Governments." This document specifies the general major compliance requirements for governments that receive Federal assistance and specific major compliance requirements and suggested audit procedures for eighty-two federal financial assistance programs.
composite sample
A combination of individual samples of water or wastewater taken at preselected intervals to minimize the effect of the variability of the individual sample. Individual subsamples may be of equal volume or may be proportional to the flow at the time of sampling.
compost
The product of thermophilic biological oxidation of a biosolids or other materials.
comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR)
The official annual report of a government. It includes five Combined Statements: Overview (the "liftable" general purpose financial statement [GPFS]) and basic financial statements for each individual fund and account group, prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting practices and organized into a financial reporting pyramid. It also includes supporting schedules necessary to demonstrate compliance with finance-related legal and contractual provisions, extensive introductory material and a detailed Statistical Section. Every government should prepare and publish a CAFR as a matter of public record.
concentration
(1) The amount of a given substance dissolved in a discrete unit volume of liquid or gas or applied to a unit weight of solid. (2) The process of increasing the dissolved solids per unit volume of solution, usually by evaporation of the liquid. (3) The process of increasing the suspended solids per unit volume of sludge as by sedimentation, dewatering.
concentration limit
The value for a constituent specified in the water quality protection standard. This term can also apply to a concentration that exceeds the constituent's background concentration.
condemnation
A public agency's exercise of the power of eminent domain.
condensation
The process by which a substance changes from the vapor state to the liquid or the solid state. Water that falls as precipitation from the atmosphere has condensed from the vapor state to rain or snow. Dew and frost are also forms of condensation.
conflict of interest
A condition which, because of contractual, financial or familial interests of a public official, limits or precludes his or her participation in the local agency's consideration of an item of business involving those interests. See California Government Code 1090 and following which preclude public officials from being financially interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity. See also the California Political Reform Act of 1974 (California Government Code 87100 and following) which establishes the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) and other conflict of interest rules.
connection fee
A fee paid by a new system user for the capital costs of capacity made available for his or her use.
consolidated grant
A grant funded under more than one grant authority by EPA, or a grant awarded in conjunction with one or more Federal agencies (e.g. Joint Funded Assistance).
constituent
An element or compound which occurs in or is likely to be derived from waste.
constructibility
The ease with which a project can be built, based upon the clarity, consistency, and completeness of the contract documents for bidding, administration, and interpretation to achieve overall project objectives.
constructibility review
An evaluation of construction documents for clarity, consistency, completeness, and ease of construction to achieve overall project objectives.
construction
The erection, building, alteration, remodeling, improvement, or extension of facilities.
construction contract documents
The documents which provide the basis for the contract entered into between parties. They typically include the bid documents updated to reflect the agreement between the owner and the contractor(s).
construction grants
Financial aid for the construction of publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities or interceptor sewers under federal or state legislation.
construction management
The overall responsibility for planning, organizing and controlling the activities of bidding and construction. Specific responsibilities are for controlling time, cost, scope and quality.
construction manager (CM)
An organization or individual with the expertise and resources to provide construction management services.
construction quality assurance (CQA)
A planned system of activities that provides assurance that the facility, or component thereof, is constructed as specified in the approved design.
construction quality control (CQC)
A planned system of inspections that is used to directly monitor and control the quality of a construction project.
consumptive waste
The water that returns to the atmosphere without benefiting man.
contact bed
(1) An artificial bed of coarse material providing extensive surface area for biological growth in watertight basin. Wastewater exposure to the surface may be accomplished by cycling or by continuous flow through controlled inlet and outlet. (2) An early type of wastewater filter consisting of a bed of coarse broken stone or similar inert material placed in a watertight tank or basin which can be completely filled with wastewater and then emptied. Operation consists of filling, allowing the contents to remain for a short time, draining and then allowing the bed to rest. The cycle is then repeated. A precursor to the trickling filter.
contact stabilization
Modification of the activated sludge process, involving a short period of contact between wastewater and sludge for rapid removal of soluble BOD by adsorption, followed by a longer period of aeration in a separate tank where sludge is oxidized and new sludge synthesized.
contact tank
A tank used in water or wastewater treatment to promote contact between treatment chemicals or other materials and the body of liquid treated.
contact time
The time that the material processed is exposed to another substance (such as activated sludge, activated carbon, or a disinfectant such as chlorine. etc.) for completion of the desired reaction.
containment
The use of waste management unit characteristics or installed systems and structures to prevent or restrict the release of waste constituents.
contaminated materials
Materials that contain waste constituents.
contamination
The introduction into water of microorganisms, chemicals, wastes or wastewater in a concentration that makes the water unfit for its intended use.
contingent liabilities
Items which may become liabilities as a result of conditions undetermined at a given date, such as guarantees, pending law suits, judgments under appeal, unsettled dispute claims, unfilled purchase orders and uncompleted contracts. All contingent liabilities should be disclosed within the basic financial statements, including the notes thereto.
contingency
An amount of money reserved by the owner to pay for unforeseen changes in a construction project.
contour
A line of equal elevation above a specified datum, usually mean sea level.
contour line
A line joining points having or representing equal elevations.
contract
A legal document containing statement of work, a schedule of performance, a price and all applicable terms and conditions that are mutually agreeable to both buyer and seller and signed by both parties.
contract documents
The legal documents that define the scope, terms, and conditions of a contract. For construction this typically includes specifications and drawings.
contract administration
The function of implementing the terms and conditions of a contract, based on established systems, policies, and procedures.
contractor
The organization or individual who undertakes responsibility for the performance of the work, in accordance with plans, specifications and contract documents. The contractor provides and controls the labor, material, and equipment to accomplish the work.
control chart
A graphical method for evaluating whether a process is or is not in a state of statistical control.
control techniques guidelines (CTG)
Guidance documents issued by EPA which define reasonably available control technology (RACT) to be applied to existing facilities that emit certain threshold quantities of air pollutants; they contain information on both economic and technical feasibility of available techniques.
conventional treatment
Well-known or well-established water or wastewater treatment processes, excluding advanced or tertiary treatment; it generally consists of primary and secondary treatment.
corrosion
The gradual deterioration or destruction of a substance or material by chemical action, frequently induced by electrochemical processes. The action proceeds inward from the surface.
cost
(1) The amount of money or other consideration exchanged for property or services. Costs may be incurred even before money is paid; that is, as soon as liability is incurred. Ultimately, however, money or other consideration must be given in exchange. Again, the cost of some property or service may, in turn, become a part of the cost of another property or service. For example, the cost of part of all of the materials purchased at a certain time will be reflected in the cost of articles made from such materials or in the cost of those services in the rendering of which the materials were used. (2) Expense.
cost accounting
That method of accounting which provides for the assembling and recording of all the elements of cost incurred to accomplish a purpose, to carry on an activity or operation, or to complete a unit of work or a specific job.
cost-benefit ratio
The ratio of the costs of a regulatory action or engineered project to the economic value of the benefits associated with it.
cost effective
The most efficient alternative or method for accomplishment of an objective over the design life of treatment works, considering total resources costs, including monetary, environmental and social costs.
cost plus fixed fee contract (CPFF)
A contract designed to pay the Contractor for all his or her costs, with the fee (profit) being a fixed dollar amount (which does not vary with the amount spent). Most often used for engineering consultant contracts, when total job to be done cannot be well enough defined in advance to contract firm fixed price. Cost amount shown in contract is a target used for control purposes and establishing profit dollars.
cost plus incentive fee (CPIF)
A CPIF contract shifts the financial risk to the buyer. The contractor is reimbursed for 100% of the actual costs incurred. The incentive fee is a reward for reducing actual costs below a negotiated target. Incentive fees or penalties may also be established for performance factors, such as early contract completion or quality of performance.
cost plus percentage (CPPC)
In a CPPC contract, the contractor is paid all of his or her incurred costs and a fee that is a percent of the costs incurred; illegal when federal government funds are used.
coupon rate
The interest rate on a bond. Synonymous with nominal interest rate.
coverage
The ratio of net revenue available for debt service to the average annual debt service requirements of an issue of revenue bonds.
criteria
Elements of state water quality standards, expressed as constituent concentrations, levels, or narrative statements, representing a quality of water that supports a particular use. When criteria are met, water quality should protect the designated use.
criterion continuous concentration (CCC)
The EPA national water quality criteria recommendation for the highest instream concentration of a toxicant or an effluent to which organisms can be exposed indefinitely without causing unacceptable effect.
criterion maximum concentration (CMC)
The EPA national water quality criteria recommendation for the highest instream concentration of a toxicant or an effluent to which all organisms can be exposed for a brief period of time without causing an adverse acute effect.
cross contamination
(1) Contamination (or pollution) occurring in one medium that is allowed to contaminate another medium. (2)A condition created when a drill hole, boring, or improperly-constructed well forms a pathway for fluid movement between a saturated zone which contains pollutants and a formerly separated saturated zone containing uncontaminated ground water.
cross connection
(1) A physical connection through which a supply of potable water could be contaminated or polluted. (2) A connection between a supervised potable water supply and an unsupervised supply of unknown potability.
crude wastewater
Wastewater before it receives any treatment. A rarely used term, generally called raw wastewater.
culture
Any organic growth that has been developed intentionally by provision of suitable nutrients and environment.
culvert
(1) A closed conduit for the free passage of surface drainage water under a highway, railroad, canal or other embankment. (2) In highway usage, a bridge waterway structure having a span of less than 20 ft (6.1 m).
current
(1) A term which, applied to budgeting and accounting, designates the operations of the present fiscal period as opposed to past or future periods. It usually connotes items likely to be used up or converted into cash within one year. (2) A flow of electric charge, measured in amperes. (3) Flow or movement of water in a stream, river, lake, bay, or ocean.
current assets
Those assets which are available or can be made readily available to finance current operations or to pay current liabilities. Those assets which will be used up or converted into cash within one year. Some examples are cash, temporary investments and taxes receivable which will be collected within one year.
current liabilities
Liabilities which are payable within one year.
cutoff wall
A subsurface barrier to lateral fluid movement which extends from in-place natural geologic materials to ground surface.
>California Water Environment Association (CWEA)
A non-profit professional association of administrators, engineers, operations personnel, and regulators engaged in water pollution abatement activities in California.
cyclone separator
A conical unit used for separating particles by centrifugal force usually used in separating grit.
Topics: 
definition of terms

Join CASA

CASA is the leading voice for public wastewater agencies regarding regulatory, legislative and legal issues.

Join Today!