Water Treatment Glossary | Essential Water Treatment Terms & Definitions

Understanding water treatment terms is crucial for making informed decisions about your home’s water filtration, softening, and purification needs. Whether you're exploring reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or whole-house filtration systems, this glossary simplifies complex water treatment words into clear, easy-to-understand definitions.

Use this guide to navigate the world of water filtration technology, improve your knowledge, and choose the best solutions for cleaner, safer water.

Let’s dive into the essential water treatment glossary! 🚰💧

SL	Term	Definition
1	Absolute Micron Rating	A measurement of a filter’s ability to remove particles of a certain size, ensuring a high level of filtration precision.
2	Activated Carbon Filter	A filtration method that uses carbon to remove contaminants, chemicals, and odors from water.
3	Adsorption	The process by which contaminants adhere to the surface of a filter medium, commonly used in activated carbon filtration.
4	Alkaline Water	Water with a pH level above 7, often containing minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium for health benefits.
5	Anaerobic Bacteria	Bacteria that thrive in environments without oxygen and can contribute to water contamination.
6	Anion Exchange	A water treatment method that removes negatively charged contaminants, such as nitrates and sulfates, from water.
7	Aquifer	An underground layer of rock or sediment that stores water, which can be a source for well water.
8	Backflow Prevention	A system that prevents contaminated water from reversing flow into clean water supplies.
9	Backwashing	A cleaning process for water filters where water is reversed through the system to remove built-up contaminants.
10	Biofilm	A slimy layer of bacteria that can form inside pipes and on filter surfaces, potentially leading to contamination.
11	Bottled Water Quality Standards	Regulations set by the FDA to ensure bottled water meets safety and purity standards.
12	Brine Tank	A container used in water softeners to hold salt and create a brine solution for regenerating the resin beads.
13	Bypass Valve	A valve in a water filtration or softening system that allows water to bypass the unit for maintenance or repairs.
14	Calcium & Magnesium	The primary minerals responsible for hard water, which causes scale buildup in pipes and appliances.
15	Carbon Block Filter	A type of water filter made from compressed carbon, designed to remove chlorine, VOCs, and other impurities.
16	Cation Exchange	A process used in water softeners where positively charged ions (like calcium and magnesium) are replaced with sodium or potassium ions.
17	Chloramine	A disinfectant made from chlorine and ammonia, used in municipal water supplies but requiring special filtration for removal.
18	Chlorination	The process of adding chlorine to water to disinfect and kill bacteria and viruses.
19	Chlorine Residual	The amount of chlorine remaining in water after disinfection, which can impact taste and safety.
20	Coliform Bacteria	A group of bacteria commonly found in water that can indicate the presence of harmful pathogens.
21	Contaminants	Unwanted substances in water, such as bacteria, heavy metals, chlorine, and pesticides.
22	Dechlorination	The process of removing chlorine from water to improve taste and safety.
23	Demineralization	The removal of minerals from water, often through reverse osmosis or distillation.
24	Desalination	The process of removing salt and minerals from seawater to make it drinkable.
25	Diatomaceous Earth Filter	A type of filter using fossilized algae to remove fine particles from water.
26	Distillation	A water purification method that involves boiling water and condensing the steam to remove impurities.
27	Electrodeionization (EDI)	A chemical-free process that removes ions and minerals from water using electricity.
28	Electrodialysis	A water purification process that uses an electric current to remove ions from water.
29	End-of-Tap Filter	A small water filter attached directly to a faucet for point-of-use filtration.
30	Epoxy-Coated Tanks	Tanks used in water treatment systems that have an epoxy coating to prevent corrosion and contamination.
31	Filtration	The physical or chemical process of removing impurities from water by passing it through a medium such as carbon or ceramic.
32	Fluoride Removal	A specific filtration process designed to remove fluoride, which is added to municipal water supplies.
33	Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)	A form of carbon used in water filters to absorb contaminants, chlorine, and organic compounds.
34	Greywater	Wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry that can be recycled for irrigation or non-drinking purposes.
35	Hard Water	Water that contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, leading to scale buildup on appliances and fixtures.
36	Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S)	A gas that can dissolve in water, creating a "rotten egg" smell and taste.
37	Hydrologic Cycle	The natural cycle of water movement, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.
38	Ion Exchange	A water treatment method used in softeners where calcium and magnesium ions are replaced with sodium or potassium ions.
39	Ionization	A process that alters the charge of particles in water, often used in alkaline water systems.
40	Iron & Manganese Removal	A process in filtration systems that eliminates iron and manganese, which can cause staining and water discoloration.
41	Iron Bacteria	Microorganisms that feed on iron in water, creating reddish slime and clogging pipes.
42	Langelier Saturation Index (LSI)	A calculation used to predict whether water will cause scaling or corrosion in plumbing.
43	Lead Filtration	A water treatment process that removes lead, a toxic heavy metal that can contaminate drinking water.
44	Legionella	A type of bacteria that can grow in water systems and cause Legionnaires' disease.
45	Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)	The highest allowable concentration of a contaminant in drinking water, set by the EPA.
46	Mechanical Filtration	The process of physically removing particles from water using a filter medium like mesh or ceramic.
47	Membrane Filtration	A high-tech filtration process using membranes to remove contaminants at the microscopic level.
48	Microfiltration	A filtration method that removes small particles, bacteria, and some viruses from water.
49	Mineralized Water	Water that naturally contains essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
50	Multi-Stage Filtration	A water filtration system that uses multiple layers of filters to remove various contaminants.
51	Nano-Carbon Filtration	A cutting-edge filtration technology that uses nano-sized carbon particles to remove contaminants more effectively than traditional carbon filters.
52	Nanofiltration	A filtration process that removes contaminants at a molecular level, positioned between reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration.
53	Nitrate Removal	The process of removing nitrates from water, often necessary for well water systems.
54	NSF Certification	A third-party certification ensuring that water filtration products meet safety and performance standards.
55	NSF International	An independent organization that tests and certifies water filtration products for safety and effectiveness.
56	Ozonation	A disinfection process using ozone gas to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in water.
57	PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)	Harmful chemicals found in water that are linked to health risks and require advanced filtration for removal.
58	pH Balance	The measure of how acidic or alkaline water is, typically ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline).
59	pH Neutralizer	A filtration system that adjusts the pH of water to prevent acidity or excessive alkalinity.
60	Pipe Scaling	The buildup of minerals inside pipes due to hard water, which can reduce water flow and damage plumbing.
61	Point-of-Entry (POE) Filtration	A whole-house filtration system that treats all the water entering a home.
62	Point-of-Use (POU) System	A water filtration system installed at a single tap, such as under the sink or on a faucet.
63	Potable Water	Water that is safe for drinking and meets regulatory quality standards.
64	Pre-Filtration	The first stage in a multi-stage water filtration system that removes larger particles before finer filtration occurs.
65	Radionuclides	Radioactive particles that can be found in some water sources and require specialized filtration for removal.
66	Regeneration	The process in water softeners where the resin beads are cleaned and recharged with salt to continue softening water.
67	Resin Beads	Small beads in a water softener that trap hard minerals and exchange them for sodium or potassium.
68	Reverse Osmosis (RO)	A water purification method that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants, including heavy metals and bacteria.
69	RO Membrane	The semi-permeable membrane used in reverse osmosis systems to filter out contaminants.
70	Sediment Filter	A filter that removes sand, dirt, and debris from water, often used as a pre-filter in filtration systems.
71	Sedimentation	The process by which heavier particles settle to the bottom of a water supply, allowing for easier filtration.
72	Silica in Water	Naturally occurring mineral that can cause scaling on glassware and appliances if not filtered properly.
73	Soft Water	Water that has had calcium and magnesium removed, preventing scale buildup and making soaps and detergents more effective.
74	Tannins	Organic compounds that can give water a yellow or brown color, often found in well water.
75	TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)	The total amount of dissolved substances in water, such as minerals, salts, and metals.
76	Turbidity	The cloudiness or haziness of water caused by suspended particles.
77	Ultrafiltration (UF)	A filtration method that removes particles, bacteria, and some viruses but does not remove dissolved minerals.
78	Ultrapure Water	Water that has been extensively purified to remove all contaminants, often used in medical and industrial applications.
79	Ultraviolet (UV) Purification	A disinfection process that uses UV light to kill bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms in water.
80	Water Conditioner	A system that alters the structure of minerals in water to reduce scale buildup without removing the minerals.
81	Water Hammer	A pressure surge in pipes caused by the sudden stopping or change in water flow, which can damage plumbing.
82	Water Reuse	The practice of recycling treated wastewater for uses such as irrigation and industrial processes.
83	Water Softener	A device that removes calcium and magnesium from water using an ion exchange process to prevent scale buildup.
84	Water Testing	A process of analyzing water for contaminants, pH levels, hardness, and other factors affecting water quality.
85	Waterborne Pathogens	Disease-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that can be found in untreated water.
86	Well Water Testing	The process of analyzing well water for contaminants like bacteria, nitrates, and heavy metals.
87	Whole House Filtration System	A water filtration system that treats all the water entering a home to remove contaminants and improve water quality
88	Zinc Orthophosphate	A chemical used in water treatment to prevent pipe corrosion and lead contamination.