the semi–solid material that settles out during the purification process. It is a byproduct of both wastewater and drinking water treatment, and it contains a mix of organic and inorganic matter, including solids and pollutants.

an underground layer of water-bearing material, consisting of permeable or fractured rock, or unconsolidated materials.

large, underground pipe that carries treated water from a water treatment plant to smaller distribution pipes and ultimately, to homes, businesses, and hydrants.

the primary Federal US Law addressing water pollution. This Act defines processes for pollution control as well as criteria and standards for pollutants in surface water. It authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate surface water pollution in partnership with state agencies. Throughout the years, the Law has been amended to include emerging water pollution challenges (e.g. municipal storm sewage treatment), and to streamline funding processes for municipal water and wastewater systems.

pollution caused by the release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons into the environment usually due to human activity.

a device that measures the rate of water flow, typically expressed in units like gallons per minute (GPM) or cubic feet per second (CFS).

typically occur when groundwater emerges from one defined discharge in the earth's surface.

a connected network that collects treats stores and distributes water or includes a river and its tributaries.

wastewater from sewers or industrial outfalls that flows directly into surface waters, either untreated or after being treated at a facility.

is the process where small, suspended particles in water are encouraged to clump together into larger, heavier "flocs" that can be easily removed. This is one step in wastewater treatment.

bacteria viruses and parasites that can contaminate air water and food.

a public water system that consistently supplies water to the same people throughout the year.

groundwater that is close enough to surface water to receive direct recharge from it.

a system providing water to at least 15 connections or regularly serving 25 or more people for at least 60 days per year.

a method for extracting oil and natural gas from shale and other types of tight rock formations, using water and other chemicals.

the commercial cutting of trees for paper wood and pulp.

the political, economic, and cultural development that has locked regions in certain flows of power and resources, shaping water infrastructures that often have considerable inertia and might require structural change to reorient toward resilience.

a single identifiable source of pollution such as a pipe ditch ship or smokestack.

the ability of water systems to withstand disasters while continuing to provide safe water.

a byproduct formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in water. A type of disinfection byproduct.

septic systems that do not treat sewage and instead discharge it directly into the environment.

wastewater originating from households and local businesses. Under the Clean Water Act, sewage is defined as "human body wastes and the waste from toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain body wastes.”

occurs when colonies of algae — simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater — grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal.

chemicals that form when disinfectants like chlorine react with organic matter in water during the process of treating drinking water.

pollution caused by fine particles that remain suspended in water such as plankton minerals plastic and debris.

a non–profit organization that serves as a bridge in collaborations with communities, government agencies, and technical experts to build local livelihoods, mutual care, community resilience, and community wealth by meeting basic life needs through stewardship of local life commons.

used water from various sources that is no longer suitable for its intended purpose and requires treatment before being released back into the environment. It includes water from domestic, commercial, and industrial activities, as well as stormwater runoff in some cases.

the boundary between water-saturated and unsaturated ground.

pollution caused by pathogens nutrients plastics chemicals heavy metals pesticides antibiotics and dumping into waterways.

a continuous, unceasing movement or stream of water, like a river or stream that never stops flowing.

a member of the public who voluntarily takes part in scientific research projects.

a long–term project that will add significant value to a building, campus, or other aspect of infrastructure. A Capital Improvement Plan is a multi–year strategic plan to build and fund these significant improvements.

an underground chamber through which domestic wastewater flows for basic treatment.

a federal law protecting the quality of public drinking water in the United States.

a member of the public who voluntarily takes part in scientific research projects.

a public water system that regularly supplies water to at least 25 of the same people for at least six months per year.

moves water systematically through sections of a drinking water distribution system, creating a scouring action to clean the line.

a system providing water to at least 15 connections or regularly serving 25 or more people for at least 60 days per year.

a chemical compound that includes nitrogen and oxygen. High levels in water can result from agricultural runoff wastewater landfills animal feedlots septic systems and urban drainage. Dangerous to pregnant people and infants.

when chemicals are released into our environment and disrupt the balance of our ecosystems, threatening our health, polluting the air we breathe and contaminating our food.

a tool used by water and wastewater systems for planning and data sharing.

a type of environmental contamination that can have negative effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems.

an event that disrupts the normal supply of clean water to a community.

a warning issued when a waterbody is unsafe for swimming due to high bacterial or contaminant levels.

radioactive minerals in water that can be natural or human-made and may cause health problems.

a public notification that advises people to boil their tap water before drinking it because it may be contaminated with harmful germs.

a public water system serving people who do not stay long in one location.

in water systems, the materials and physical parts of the water system, including pipes, pumps, tanks, and water treatment plants, as well as the other structures necessary for their operation, such as electrical lines and switches, generators, roads, culverts, and drainage tiles.

provides the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government.

a long-term shift in weather patterns and temperatures that can be caused by natural or human activities.

an excavation or structure used to access groundwater.

a byproduct formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in water. A type of disinfection byproduct.

a toxic liquid waste product of coal mining and processing. It is a mixture of water, fine coal particles, and other dissolved or particulate substances.

a continuous cycle moving water on above and below the earth’s surface.

contamination of water that makes it unsafe for human use or harmful to the environment.

a public water system that regularly supplies water to at least 25 of the same people for at least six months per year.

environmental contamination caused by carbon-based chemicals such as pesticides industrial chemicals or petroleum products.

chemicals that form when disinfectants like chlorine react with organic matter in water during the process of treating drinking water.

a system of pipes and sewers that transports wastewater to a treatment facility before discharge to surface waters.

a system used in industrial settings to monitor and control processes, typically over large geographical areas. It involves the use of computers, networked data communications, and graphical user interfaces to supervise and manage equipment and processes. SCADA systems gather real–time data from the field (sensors, motors, etc.) and allow operators to monitor and control processes from a central location.

a tool used by water and wastewater systems for planning and data sharing.

a centralized system that treats and disposes of wastewater from multiple buildings or homes. 

a machine used to break down solid waste into smaller particles, making it easier to transport and treat. Wastewater operators use grinders to prevent clogs in pumps and other equipment and to improve the overall efficiency of the wastewater treatment process.

the primary Federal US Law addressing water pollution. This Act defines processes for pollution control as well as criteria and standards for pollutants in surface water. It authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate surface water pollution in partnership with state agencies. Throughout the years, the Law has been amended to include emerging water pollution challenges (e.g. municipal storm sewage treatment), and to streamline funding processes for municipal water and wastewater systems.

Equity is the concept of treating people fairly and justly based on their individual circumstances, while equality is the outcome of treating everyone the same.

programs funded by federal and state sources that provide financial assistance to water and wastewater projects.

a term used to describe per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of manmade chemicals that are nearly indestructible and can be found in many consumer products.

groundwater that is close enough to surface water to receive direct recharge from it.

runoff from rain and snowmelt that carries pollutants into rivers streams lakes wetlands and groundwater.

water that is unaccounted for or unbilled in a water distribution system, encompassing both real losses (like leaks) and apparent losses (like meter inaccuracies).

water located on the land surface including rivers lakes and streams mostly produced by precipitation.

natural water from rivers lakes streams springs reservoirs or aquifers that supplies public and private water systems.

in water treatment, coagulation is the process of adding chemicals (coagulants) to destabilize and clump together tiny suspended particles, like clay, silt, and bacteria, which are normally too small to settle out of the water on their own.

a tank for storing water, especially one supplying taps or as part of a flushing toilet (or) a container in which water is stored, especially one connected to a bathroom or on the roof of a house.

the process of analyzing water samples for safety and quality.

undissolved, fine particles that remain dispersed in a liquid (like water) or a gas (like air). In water, they can include things like soil, organic matter, and particles from wastewater discharge. These particles are not dissolved in the liquid and can be separated by filtration.

an underground system of pipes and tunnels designed to collect and transport wastewater and sewage away from homes and buildings to treatment facilities.

money set aside to repay a loan, to fund a future capital project, or to replace an asset once it is no longer serviceable.

regulations created by different state agencies to explain exactly how laws passed by the Kentucky General Assembly will be followed. Regulations have the same force and effect as any law passed by the legislature.

a tool that allows users to view data about their water systems.

a system using separate pipes to transport wastewater and stormwater.

a network of pipes that carries both rainwater and wastewater into a single system.

a yearly report that community water systems provide to their customers that summarizes the quality of their drinking water.

the release of toxic, non-biodegradable metals into the environment, which can have serious consequences for human health, ecosystems, and the global environment.

a weather event that involves a significant drop in air temperature over a large area. It is an extreme version of a cold wave or cold snap.

a public notification advising that a rapid growth of algae or cyanobacteria in water that can be harmful to people, animals, or the environment is present in water.

water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface.

extraction of coal deposits from the surface of the earth and underground.

a tool that allows users to view data about their water systems.

occurs when pollutants are released into the ground and make their way into groundwater.

in fulfillment of the directive of Senate Joint Resolution 109

a federal law protecting the quality of public drinking water in the United States.

a harmful change in the temperature of water caused by human activity often leading to oxygen depletion.

facilities used to store transport and distribute drinking water that are located in and governed by a city.

the ability to prepare for, respond to, and manage the effects of climate change or extreme weather.

a LiKEN employee who connects with community members, supports local livelihoods, builds connections and networks within and around the community; and empowers local residents with knowledge, education, and support. 

a public water system serving people who do not stay long in one location.

a body of water that flows beneath the earth's surface, either in a cave or within the pores and cracks of permeable rock.

a yearly report that community water systems provide to their customers that summarizes the quality of their drinking water.

a toxic liquid waste product of coal mining and processing. It is a mixture of water, fine coal particles, and other dissolved or particulate substances.

a network of pipes and pumping stations that collects and treats wastewater from a community.

occurs when colonies of algae — simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater — grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal.

diseases that develop in people or animals from contact with contaminated water containing bacteria, parasites, or viruses.

the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water based on cost-benefit analysis and enforceable by law.

the process by which water moves from the land to the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration:

• Evaporation: water from the soil surface, water bodies, and the capillary fringe of the groundwater table turns into water vapor and enters the air.

• Transpiration: plants release water into the air through their leaves and stems.

water pollution that occurs when dissolved oxygen decreases often caused by thermal pollution.

a graywater treatment plant, as defined by the EPA, is a system that captures and treats wastewater from specific sources like bathroom sinks, showers, and laundry machines, to be reused for non–potable purposes like irrigation. It is a type of onsite non–potable water reuse system, distinct from traditional wastewater treatment plants that handle all wastewater, including sewage.

the presence of unwanted microorganisms in a material such as air water or food.

an overflow that comes from a river or other body of water and causes or threatens damage. Any relatively high streamflow that overtops the natural or artificial banks of a river.

a non-profit organization serving as a bridge between communities government agencies and technical experts to build local livelihoods mutual care community resilience and community wealth by stewarding local life commons.

regulations created by different state agencies to explain exactly how laws passed by the Kentucky General Assembly will be followed. Regulations have the same force and effect as any law passed by the legislature.

programs funded by federal and state sources that provide financial assistance to water and wastewater projects.

residential customers of a regulated public utility in Kentucky are guaranteed these rights subject to Kentucky Revised Statutes and the provisions of the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) Administrative Regulations.

the percentage of household income spent on drinking water and sewage services.

provides the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government.

a system that provides treated drinking water but is not part of a public water system.

a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.

a layer or film of foreign matter, primarily fats, oils, and grease (FOG), that floats on the surface of water or wastewater. It's a common byproduct of both wastewater and industrial water treatment processes. Scum can consist of various substances like soap scum, algae, or other impurities that rise to the surface and form a layer.