Archives: <span>Glossary Entries</span>

Microbial Contaminants

Unnatural and unhealthy concentrations of microscopic organisms like bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasites that can cause illness if not removed from drinking water. The concentration of microbial contaminants must be kept under tolerable limits for human consumption; if not, water can be treated in various ways to remove the microscopic …

Rainwater Harvesting

When water that falls from the sky is collected in tanks or wells instead of letting it go to waste. The stored water can be used in many ways, such as watering gardens, supporting farms and small plantations, or even washing cars. This practice is used on the island of …

Stormwater Management Practices

Methods used to control rainwater and snow melt flowing over municipal surfaces, aiming to reduce flooding, minimize erosion, improve water quality, and protect natural water bodies. This could include creating absorbent landscapes, permeable paving, green roofs, infiltration swales, or infiltration trenches. These methods slow, store, filter or redirect incoming water resulting …

Water Rights and Entitlements

The rules that guarantee every human being access to the minimum amount of safe, clean water, necessary to live a healthy life, free from potential risk of harm as outlined by the United Nations. These policies include protections from the illegal pollution and/or separation of individuals from sources of water, …

Latrines

Areas or buildings designed for human excrement disposal that can function with or without water as it is a low-cost structure. They are designed with three major parts in mind: a hole in the ground, a concrete slab with a small hole for the user’s comfort and hygiene, and a …

Fluoridation

The process of adding small amounts of fluoride (F–) to the community water for the benefits to tooth health. In Canada, 0.7 mg/L is added as it has been found to help prevent tooth decay and cavities without increasing a person’s risk for skeletal fluorosis (excessive amounts of fluoride leading …

Greywater Reuse

The recycling of lightly used wastewater that is not contaminated with bodily fluids or kitchen grease and scraps. Water that comes from showers, bathroom sinks and washing machines is often recycled by diverging the water into a separate system from the sewage and is then redirected towards toilets and is …