MI Water Operator key terms

A treatment step that adds a chemical such as alum to water so tiny suspended particles clump together and can be removed more easily in later processes.

Gentle stirring of chemically treated water that encourages small particle clusters to collide and grow into larger, heavier flocs that settle or filter out.

A settling process in which water sits in a basin long enough for heavier floc and particles to sink to the bottom and be removed as sludge.

Passing water through a bed of granular media, membranes, or other material to remove remaining particles, turbidity, and some microorganisms before disinfection.

A treatment step that kills or inactivates harmful microorganisms in water, commonly by adding chlorine, chloramine, ozone, or ultraviolet light.

A measure of how cloudy or murky water is because of suspended particles. High turbidity can shield microorganisms from disinfection and is closely monitored.

A disinfection calculation that multiplies the disinfectant residual concentration (C) by the effective contact time (T) to show how much inactivation a treatment process achieves.

Reversing water flow through a filter to lift and wash out trapped particles, restoring the filter's ability to remove turbidity and microorganisms.

Any actual or potential link between a drinking water system and a source of contamination or nonpotable water that could allow backflow into the distribution system.

A device such as a reduced-pressure zone assembly or check valve that stops water from flowing backward and contaminating the public water supply.

A pressure surge caused by suddenly stopping or changing water flow, which can damage pipes, valves, and fittings and sometimes break mains.

A concrete or restrained fitting placed at bends, tees, and valves to resist the pushing force of water pressure and keep pipes from separating.

An area of a distribution system kept within a planned range of water pressure by pumps, valves, or storage so service remains adequate and pipes are protected.

A tall tank that holds treated water at height to provide steady pressure, supply fire flow, and buffer changes in demand throughout a pressure zone.

A buried pipe that carries treated water through streets to service lines, hydrants, and storage facilities within a water distribution system.

A planned flushing method that pushes water in one direction at a controlled velocity to scour sediment and stale water from mains without stirring up nearby pipes.

An underground layer of sand, gravel, or rock that holds and transmits enough water to supply a well or spring.

The water level in a well when the pump is off and the water has settled, showing the natural groundwater level at that location.

The drop in water level inside a well caused by pumping, measured as the difference between the static and pumping water levels.

A well performance measure calculated by dividing pumping rate by drawdown; a higher value generally means the well produces more water for each foot of level drop.

The grouted, watertight seal between a well casing and the surrounding soil or rock that prevents surface contamination from entering the well.

A cone-shaped lowering of the groundwater surface around a pumping well, created as water flows toward the well faster than it is replaced.

The land surface around a well where activities are managed to prevent contaminants from reaching the groundwater that supplies the well.

The highest amount of a regulated contaminant allowed in drinking water under federal and Michigan rules, based on health protection and practical treatment.

A required treatment method or performance standard, used instead of an MCL when contaminant levels cannot be reliably measured or a specific process is needed for health protection.

Michigan's law, Act 399 of 1976, that sets drinking water standards, operator certification, monitoring, and enforcement requirements for public water supplies in the state.

An annual water quality report that community water systems must provide to customers, summarizing source water, detected contaminants, compliance, and health information.

Required notice to water customers when a system violates a drinking water standard or has a serious risk, with timing and wording set by the violation's tier.

An on-site review of a public water system's source, treatment, distribution, operations, and records to find sanitary defects and require corrections.

A federal rule that uses routine coliform monitoring and, when certain triggers occur, requires a system to assess and fix problems that could allow contamination.

A regulation requiring systems to sample high-risk homes and, if action levels are exceeded, optimize corrosion control and replace lead service lines over time.

A space large enough to enter but with limited entry or exit and not designed for continuous occupancy, such as a vault or wet well, requiring special safety precautions.

A safety procedure that isolates energy sources and applies locks and tags so equipment cannot start or release energy while workers service it.

Shoring, shielding, or sloping used in excavations to prevent soil collapse and protect workers from cave-in hazards.

A workplace safety program that requires labels, safety data sheets, and training so workers understand the chemicals they handle and their hazards.

A written plan describing how a water system will respond to incidents such as contamination, power loss, main breaks, or security threats, including roles and communication.

A review of a water system's facilities and operations to identify weaknesses and prioritize security improvements that reduce risk from intentional or natural threats.

A public health notice telling customers to boil tap water before drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth because the water may contain harmful microorganisms.