Commonly Used Water Terms S - Z
Welcome to the Water Guy list of commonly used water terms. Navigate the page
sections below:
SALINE WATER
Water containing an excessive amount of dissolved salts, usually over 10.000
mg/I.
SALT
The common name for the specific chemical compound sodium chloride. used in the
regeneration of ion exchange water softeners. In chemistry, the term is applied
to a class of chemical compounds which can be formed by the neutralization of an
acid with a base.
SEQUESTER
A chemical reaction in which certain ions are bound into a stable. water soluble
compound. thus preventing undesirable action by the ions.
SEQUESTERING AGENT
A chemical compound sometimes fed into water to tie up undesirable ions, keep
them in solution, and eliminate or reduce the normal effects of the ions. For
example, polyphosphates can sequester hardness and prevent reactions with soap.
SOAP
One of a class of chemical compounds which possesses cleaning properties. formed
by the reaction of a fatty acid with a base or alkali. Sodium and potassium
soaps are soluble and useful. but can be converted to insoluble calcium and
magnesium soaps (curd) by the presence of these hardness ions in water.
SODA ASH
The common name for sodium carbonate. a chemical compound used as an alkaline
builder in some soap and detergent formulations; to neutralize acid water; and
in the lime-soda ash water treatment process.
SODIUM
An ion found in natural water supplies. and introduced to water in the ion
exchange water softening process. Sodium compounds are highly soluble. and do
not react with soaps or detergents.
SODIUM CHLORIDE
The chemical name for common salt. widely used in the regeneration of ion
exchange water softeners.
SOFT WATER
Any water which contains less than 1.0 gpg (17.1 mg/l) of hardness minerals.
expressed as calcium carbonate.
SOFTENED WATER
Any water that is treated to reduce hardness minerals to 1.0 gpg (17.1 mg/l) or
less. expressed as calcium carbonate.
SOLUTE
The substance which is dissolved in a solvent. Dissolved solids, such as the
minerals found in water, are solutes.
SOLVENT
The liquid, such as water, in which other materials (solutes) are dissolved.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
The ratio of the weight of a specific volume of a substance to the weight of the
same volume of pure water at 4 C.
SULFATE-REDUCING BACTERIA
A group of bacteria which are capable of reducing sulfates in water to hydrogen
sulfide gas. thus producing obnoxious tastes and odors. These bacteria have no
sanitary significance. and are classed as nuisance organisms.
SULFUR
A yellowish solid element. The term is also used as a slang expression to refer
to water containing hydrogen sulfide gas.
TDS
The abbreviation for total dissolved solids.
THRESHOLD
A very low concentration of a substance in water. The term is sometimes used to
indicate the concentration which can just be detected.
TITRATION
An analytical process in which a standard solution in a calibrated vessel is
added to a measured volume of sample until an endpoint. such as a color change.
is reached. From the volume of the sample and the volume of standard solution
used, the concentration of a specific material may be calculated.
TOTAL ACIDITY
The total of all forms of acidity. including mineral acidity, carbon dioxide,
and acid salts. Total acidity is usually determined by titration with a standard
base solution to the phenolphthalein endpoint (pH 8.3).
TOTAL ALKALINITY
The alkalinity of a water as determined by titration with standard acid solution
to the methyl orange endpoint (pH approximately 4.5); sometimes abbreviated as
"M alkalinity." Total alkalinity includes many alkalinity components, such as
hydroxides, carbonates, and bicarbonates.
TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS
The weight of solids per unit volume of water which are in true solution;
usually determined by the evaporation of a measured volume of filtered water and
determination of the residue weight.
TOTAL HARDNESS
The sum of all hardness constituents in a water, expressed as the equivalent
concentration of calcium carbonate. Primarily due to calcium and magnesium in
solution, but may include small amounts of metals such as iron which can act
like calcium and magnesium in certain reactions.
TOTAL SOLIDS
The weight of all solids (dissolved and suspended, organic and inorganic) per
unit volume of water; usually determined by the evaporation of a measured volume
of water at 105 C in a pre-weighed dish.
TRANSPIRATION
The passage of watery vapor through a membrane or pores.
TURBIDITY
A measure of the amount of finely divided suspended matter in water, which
causes the scattering and adsorption of light rays.
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