Water Treatment Glossary
Understanding water treatment starts with knowing the terminology. This glossary covers 70 key terms used in water quality testing, filtration, softening, and treatment to help you make informed decisions about your water.
A
- Act quickly
- Iron stains become permanent if not cleaned promptly
- After other filtration
- Final barrier after iron filters or softeners that may introduce bacteria
- Annual lamp replacement
- UV lamps lose intensity over time and should be replaced yearly
- Anode rod consumption
- Hard water accelerates sacrificial anode depletion, allowing tank corrosion
- Avoid bleach
- Chlorine sets iron stains; use oxalic acid-based cleaners instead
B
- Backwash
- The reverse flow of water through a filter or water softener to flush out accumulated contaminants and regenerate the filter media, essential for maintaining system performance.
- Bathroom cleaners
- No soap scum means less need for harsh chemicals
- Brine Tank
- A component of a water softener system that holds a salt solution used during the regeneration cycle to recharge the resin beads with sodium ions.
C
- Carbon Filter
- A water filtration system using activated carbon to remove chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), taste, and odor from water through a process called adsorption.
- Check the venturi valve
- Remove and clean to ensure proper suction during regeneration
- Chloramine
- A disinfectant formed by combining chlorine with ammonia, used by many water utilities as a longer-lasting alternative to chlorine. More difficult to remove than free chlorine.
- Chlorine
- A chemical disinfectant added to municipal water supplies to kill bacteria and other pathogens. While effective for disinfection, residual chlorine can affect taste and may form harmful byproducts.
- Clean the brine tank
- Empty remaining salt, rinse out sediment and residue, then refill
- Cleaner dishes
- No more spots or film on glassware
- Concentrated exposure
- Steam concentrates THMs and other volatile compounds
- Contaminant
- Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance in water that may cause adverse health effects or affect water quality, taste, or appearance.
D
- Dermal absorption
- Warm water opens pores, allowing chlorine to absorb directly through skin
- Dish soap
- Less soap means more effective grease cutting
E
- Element failure
- Electric heating elements burn out prematurely when coated with scale
F
- Filtration
- The process of passing water through a filter medium to remove suspended particles, contaminants, and impurities, improving water quality for drinking and household use.
- Free water testing
- Reputable companies test before recommending
G
- GPG
- Grains Per Gallon, the standard unit for measuring water hardness in the United States. One grain per gallon equals approximately 17.1 milligrams per liter.
- GPM
- Gallons Per Minute, a measurement of water flow rate used to size water treatment systems appropriately for household demand and ensure adequate water pressure.
H
- Hard Water
- Water containing high concentrations of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Hard water causes scale buildup in pipes and appliances and reduces soap effectiveness.
- High TDS
- If your water has high dissolved solids (over 500 ppm), RO is the only effective solution
- Homes with immunocompromised residents
- Extra protection for vulnerable individuals
- Hotspots
- Scale forces heating elements to work harder, creating overheated areas that weaken tank walls
- Household size
- More people means more water usage
I
- Inhalation
- Hot water vaporizes chlorine, which you breathe in the enclosed shower
- Inspect the resin tank
- Look for any signs of leaks around fittings
- Ion Exchange
- A water treatment process where undesirable ions in water are exchanged with more desirable ions fixed to a resin bed, commonly used in water softeners to replace calcium and magnesium with sodium.
L
- Laundry detergent
- Use half as much for cleaner clothes
- Lead or arsenic
- RO effectively removes these toxic metals that other filters may miss
- Less cleaning
- No more scrubbing soap scum and scale
- Licensed plumbers
- Proper installation is critical
- Local service
- Available for maintenance and repairs
M
- Manganese
- A naturally occurring mineral found in water that can cause black or brown staining, affect taste, and at high levels may pose health concerns. Often found alongside iron in groundwater.
- Municipal Water
- Water supplied by a public water utility that has been treated to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards, though it may still contain chlorine, fluoride, and trace contaminants.
N
- Nitrate contamination
- Common in agricultural areas, nitrates are only removed by RO or specialized ion exchange
- Nitrates
- Nitrogen-based compounds that can enter water supplies through agricultural runoff, septic systems, or natural deposits. Elevated nitrate levels are particularly dangerous for infants.
- Number of bathrooms
- Indicates peak demand potential
P
- PFAS concerns
- These persistent chemicals require RO or specialized activated carbon for removal
- pH Level
- A measure of how acidic or alkaline water is on a scale of 0-14. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline. Ideal drinking water pH is between 6.5 and 8.5.
- Point of Use
- A water treatment system installed at a single water outlet, such as a kitchen faucet or shower, to treat water at the specific location where it is used.
- Positive bacteria tests
- If your water has tested positive for coliform bacteria, UV provides ongoing protection
- PPM
- Parts Per Million, a unit of measurement used to describe the concentration of dissolved substances in water. One ppm equals one milligram per liter.
- Pre-filter changes
- Replace sediment pre-filter as needed (typically every 6 months)
- Private wells
- Well water isn't treated and can be contaminated by surface water infiltration or nearby septic systems
Q
- Quality equipment
- NSF-certified with strong warranties
- Quartz sleeve cleaning
- Clean the protective sleeve every 6-12 months
R
- Regular testing
- Iron levels can change over time; test annually
- Reverse Osmosis
- A water purification process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from drinking water, typically removing 95-99% of dissolved contaminants.
S
- Scale Buildup
- The accumulation of calcium carbonate and other mineral deposits on surfaces that contact hard water, including pipes, water heaters, and appliances, reducing efficiency and lifespan.
- Sediment buildup
- Scale flakes off and accumulates at the bottom, reducing capacity and causing rumbling noises
- Shallow wells
- Wells less than 50 feet deep are more susceptible to contamination
- Softer laundry
- Clothes feel better and colors stay vibrant
- Softer skin and hair
- No more dry, itchy skin or brittle hair
- Spring or surface water sources
- These are highly susceptible to bacterial contamination
T
- TDS
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measures the combined content of all dissolved substances in water, including minerals, salts, and organic matter, typically expressed in parts per million (ppm).
- Test water hardness
- Verify the system is still softening effectively
- Total Dissolved Solids
- A measurement of all dissolved substances in water including minerals, salts, metals, and organic matter. High TDS levels can affect taste, safety, and appliance longevity.
- Transparent pricing
- No high-pressure sales tactics
U
- UV Disinfection
- A chemical-free water treatment method that uses ultraviolet light to inactivate bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms by disrupting their DNA, preventing reproduction.
V
- Vacation properties
- Stagnant water during absence can harbor bacteria
W
- Water Hardness
- The concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water, measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). Water above 7 gpg is considered hard.
- Water hardness level
- Higher hardness requires larger capacity
- Water Softener
- A filtration system that removes calcium and magnesium minerals from hard water through an ion exchange process, replacing them with sodium or potassium ions to prevent scale buildup.
- Water Testing
- The process of analyzing water samples to determine the presence and concentration of various contaminants, minerals, and quality parameters to identify treatment needs.
- Water usage patterns
- High usage needs faster regeneration
- Well Water
- Groundwater accessed through a drilled or dug well, typically untreated by municipal systems and potentially containing elevated levels of minerals, bacteria, or other contaminants specific to local geology.
Have Questions About Your Water Quality?
Our team at Solomon Home Water Solutions is happy to explain any of these terms in context of your specific water situation.
Schedule Free Consultation