Urban Water Systems
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering course at Stanmore School of Business. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Abrasivity refers to the wear and tear of pipes and other infrastructure… #
Related terms include erosion, corrosion, and sediment transport. Abrasivity is an important consideration in the design and operation of urban water systems, as it can lead to significant maintenance and replacement costs over time. For example, abrasive particles can cause pipe damage and reduce the lifespan of infrastructure, leading to costly repairs and replacements.
Activated Sludge is a type of wastewater treatment process that uses micr… #
Related terms include biological treatment, secondary treatment, and wastewater treatment plants. Activated Sludge is a widely used treatment process in urban water systems, as it is effective in removing a wide range of pollutants and can be operated at a relatively low cost. For example, Activated Sludge can be used to remove organic matter and nutrients from wastewater, making it safer for discharge into the environment.
Aqueducts are structures used to transport water over long distances, oft… #
Related terms include canals, pipelines, and water supply systems. Aqueducts have been used for centuries to supply water to cities and towns, and are still an important part of urban water systems today. For example, aqueducts can be used to transport water from distant sources, such as rivers or reservoirs, to urban areas where it is needed.
Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) is a technique used to store water in… #
Related terms include groundwater storage, aquifer management, and water conservation. ASR is an important strategy for managing urban water systems, as it can help to reduce the demand on surface water sources and provide a reliable source of water during times of drought or other emergencies.
Asset Management is the process of managing and maintaining the infrastru… #
Related terms include maintenance, repair, and replacement. Asset Management is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of urban water systems, as it helps to identify and address potential problems before they become major issues. For example, Asset Management can be used to prioritize maintenance activities and ensure that the most critical assets are properly maintained and replaced as needed.
Backflow Prevention is a technique used to prevent contamination of potab… #
Related terms include cross-connection control, backflow preventers, and water quality protection. Backflow Prevention is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it helps to protect public health by preventing the introduction of contaminants into the water supply.
Biological Treatment is a type of wastewater treatment process that uses… #
Related terms include activated sludge, trickling filters, and biological reactors. Biological Treatment is a widely used treatment process in urban water systems, as it is effective in removing a wide range of pollutants and can be operated at a relatively low cost. For example, Biological Treatment can be used to remove organic matter and nutrients from wastewater, making it safer for discharge into the environment.
Catchment Management is the process of managing and protecting the catchm… #
Related terms include water shed management, catchment protection, and source water protection. Catchment Management is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of urban water systems, as it helps to protect the quality and quantity of water available for use.
Channel Flow refers to the flow of water in open channels, such as rivers… #
Related terms include open channel flow, hydraulic flow, and water conveyance. Channel Flow is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the stability of the channel itself.
Coagulation and Flocculation are chemical processes used to remove suspen… #
Related terms include water treatment, sedimentation, and filtration. Coagulation and Flocculation are widely used in urban water systems to remove particulate matter and other pollutants from water, making it safer for use.
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) occur when stormwater and wastewater</… #
Related terms include separate sewer systems, stormwater management, and wastewater treatment. CSOs are a significant problem in urban water systems, as they can cause environmental pollution and public health risks.
Conveyance refers to the transport of water through pipes, canals, and ot… #
Related terms include water distribution, transmission, and conveyance systems. Conveyance is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the energy efficiency of the system.
Cross #
Connection Control refers to the prevention of contamination of potable water supplies by preventing cross-connections between the water distribution system and other systems, such as wastewater or stormwater systems. Related terms include backflow prevention, cross-connection control devices, and water quality protection. Cross-Connection Control is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it helps to protect public health by preventing the introduction of contaminants into the water supply.
Dam Safety refers to the management and maintenance of dams to ensure the… #
Related terms include dam inspection, dam maintenance, and emergency preparedness. Dam Safety is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of urban water systems, as dam failures can have devastating consequences for the environment and public health.
Demand Management refers to the management of water demand in urban water… #
Related terms include water conservation, water efficiency, and demand reduction. Demand Management is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce the stress on water resources and ensure a sustainable supply of water for future generations.
Distribution Systems refer to the network of pipes and other infrastructu… #
Distribution Systems are a critical component of urban water systems, as they can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the energy efficiency of the system.
Drinking Water Treatment refers to the process of treating water to make… #
Related terms include water treatment, filtration, and disinfection. Drinking Water Treatment is a critical component of urban water systems, as it helps to protect public health by removing contaminants and pathogens from the water supply.
Drought Management refers to the management of water resources during tim… #
Related terms include water conservation, demand management, and drought mitigation. Drought Management is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce the impact of drought on water resources and ensure a sustainable supply of water for future generations.
Energy Efficiency refers to the use of energy in urban water systems, inc… #
Related terms include energy management, energy conservation, and sustainable energy. Energy Efficiency is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce the cost of water treatment and distribution, as well as the environmental impact of the system.
Flood Control refers to the management of flood risk in urban water syste… #
Related terms include flood protection, flood mitigation, and stormwater management. Flood Control is a critical component of urban water systems, as it can help to protect public safety and property from the risks associated with flooding.
Flow Measurement refers to the measurement of water flow in urban water s… #
Related terms include flow monitoring, flow measurement devices, and water balance. Flow Measurement is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to optimize water use and reduce wastewater generation.
Groundwater Management refers to the management of groundwater resources … #
Related terms include groundwater protection, groundwater conservation, and aquifer management. Groundwater Management is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of urban water systems, as groundwater is an important source of water for many cities and towns.
Hydraulic Modeling refers to the use of computer models to simulate the b… #
Related terms include hydraulic simulation, water distribution modeling, and pipe network analysis. Hydraulic Modeling is an important tool for urban water systems, as it can help to optimize system performance and reduce the risk of system failures.
Hydrology refers to the study of water in urban water systems, including… #
Related terms include hydrologic cycle, water budget, and hydrologic modeling. Hydrology is a critical component of urban water systems, as it helps to understand the behavior of water in the system and predict future changes in water availability and quality.
Infiltration refers to the movement of water into the soil and underlying… #
Related terms include infiltration basins, permeable pavements, and stormwater management. Infiltration is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce stormwater runoff and recharge groundwater aquifers.
Infrastructure refers to the physical components of urban water systems,… #
Related terms include infrastructure management, asset management, and maintenance. Infrastructure is a critical component of urban water systems, as it can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the energy efficiency of the system.
Leak Detection refers to the use of technologies to detect and locate lea… #
Related terms include leak detection systems, water loss management, and pipe condition assessment. Leak Detection is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce water loss and energy waste, as well as extend the life of infrastructure.
Metering refers to the measurement of water use in urban water systems, i… #
Related terms include water metering, flow measurement, and water balance. Metering is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to optimize water use and reduce wastewater generation.
Non #
Revenue Water (NRW) refers to the amount of water that is lost or wasted in urban water systems, including water that is lost through leaks, theft, or other unauthorized use. Related terms include water loss management, leak detection, and water efficiency. NRW is a significant problem in urban water systems, as it can waste resources and increase costs.
Open Channel Flow refers to the flow of water in open channels, such as r… #
Related terms include channel flow, hydraulic flow, and water conveyance. Open Channel Flow is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the stability of the channel itself.
Pipe Condition Assessment refers to the evaluation of the condition of pi… #
Related terms include pipe condition assessment systems, pipe maintenance, and pipe replacement. Pipe Condition Assessment is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to identify potential problems and extend the life of infrastructure.
Pump Stations refer to the facilities used to pump water in urban water s… #
Related terms include pumping stations, water distribution, and conveyance systems. Pump Stations are a critical component of urban water systems, as they can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the energy efficiency of the system.
Rainwater Harvesting refers to the collection and storage of rainwater fo… #
Related terms include rainwater collection, rainwater storage, and water conservation. Rainwater Harvesting is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce stormwater runoff and conserve water resources.
Reservoir Management refers to the management of reservoirs in urban wate… #
Related terms include reservoir operation, water storage, and water supply management. Reservoir Management is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of urban water systems, as reservoirs are an important source of water for many cities and towns.
Risk Assessment refers to the evaluation of risks in urban water systems,… #
Related terms include risk management, risk mitigation, and emergency preparedness. Risk Assessment is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to identify potential problems and develop strategies to mitigate or manage risks.
Sediment Transport refers to the movement of sediment in urban water syst… #
Related terms include sedimentation, erosion, and deposition. Sediment Transport is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the stability of the system.
Separate Sewer Systems refer to the use of separate sewers to collect and… #
Related terms include separate sewer systems, combined sewer systems, and wastewater treatment. Separate Sewer Systems are an important consideration in urban water systems, as they can help to reduce stormwater pollution and improve water quality.
Stormwater Management refers to the management of stormwater in urban wat… #
Related terms include stormwater collection, stormwater treatment, and flood control. Stormwater Management is a critical component of urban water systems, as it can help to reduce stormwater pollution and protect public safety.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) refers to the use of compute… #
Related terms include SCADA systems, monitoring and control systems, and automation. SCADA is an important tool for urban water systems, as it can help to optimize system performance and reduce the risk of system failures.
Sustainability refers to the ability of urban water systems to meet the n… #
Related terms include sustainable water management, water conservation, and environmental sustainability. Sustainability is a critical consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to ensure the long-term viability of the system and protect the environment for future generations.
Treated Wastewater Reuse refers to the reuse of treated wastewater for no… #
Related terms include water reuse, wastewater treatment, and water conservation. Treated Wastewater Reuse is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce water demands and conserve water resources.
Urban Hydrology refers to the study of water in urban environments, inclu… #
Related terms include urban water management, stormwater hydrology, and urban flooding. Urban Hydrology is a critical component of urban water systems, as it helps to understand the behavior of water in urban environments and predict future changes in water availability and quality.
Wastewater Collection refers to the collection and transport of wastewate… #
Related terms include wastewater treatment, sewer systems, and wastewater management. Wastewater Collection is a critical component of urban water systems, as it can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the environmental impact of the system.
Wastewater Treatment refers to the process of treating wastewater to remo… #
Related terms include wastewater treatment plants, biological treatment, and chemical treatment. Wastewater Treatment is a critical component of urban water systems, as it helps to protect public health and the environment by removing pollutants and pathogens from wastewater.
Water Balance refers to the accounting of water in urban water systems, i… #
Related terms include water budget, water accounting, and water management. Water Balance is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to optimize water use and reduce wastewater generation.
Water Conservation refers to the practices and strategies used to reduce… #
Related terms include water efficiency, water savings, and demand management. Water Conservation is a critical component of urban water systems, as it can help to reduce water demands and conserve water resources.
Water Distribution refers to the network of pipes and other infrastructur… #
Related terms include water transmission, conveyance systems, and pipe networks. Water Distribution is a critical component of urban water systems, as it can affect the quality and quantity of water available for use, as well as the energy efficiency of the system.
Water Loss Management refers to the strategies and practices used to redu… #
Including the use of leak detection technologies and other tools to identify and repair leaks. Related terms include water loss reduction, leak detection, and water efficiency. Water Loss Management is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce water waste and conserve water resources.
Water Quality Monitoring refers to the process of monitoring water qualit… #
Related terms include water quality assessment, water quality management, and water pollution control. Water Quality Monitoring is a critical component of urban water systems, as it helps to protect public health and the environment by tracking water quality and identifying pollution sources.
Water Reuse refers to the reuse of water for non #
potable purposes, such as irrigation or toilet flushing. Related terms include water recycling, water reclamation, and water conservation. Water Reuse is an important consideration in urban water systems, as it can help to reduce water demands and conserve water resources.
Water Supply Management refers to the management of water supplies in urb… #
Related terms include water supply planning, water resource management, and water conservation. Water Supply Management is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of urban water systems, as it helps to ensure a reliable supply of water for future generations.
Water Treatment refers to the process of treating water to remove polluta… #
Related terms include water treatment plants, drinking water treatment, and wastewater treatment. Water Treatment is a critical component of urban water systems, as it helps to protect public health by removing contaminants and pathogens from the water supply.
Watershed Management refers to the management of watersheds that supply w… #
Related terms include watershed protection, watershed conservation, and water resource management. Watershed Management is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of urban water systems, as it helps to protect the quality and quantity of water available for use.