- Bore
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A narrow lined hole drilled to withdraw or monitor ground water.
- Backflow
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The flow of water in a direction opposite to normal flow. Flow returned into the system by backflow is usually wastewater in a purification system and is often severely contaminated.
- Cistern
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The part of the toilet that stores the water for flushing.
- Desalination
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The process that removes salt from saline water to produce drinking water.
- Dual reticulation
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A water supply system that provides two types of water services to each property. It requires two separate pipe systems in the roads and properties - a drinking water system suitable for indoor use and requiring high quality water, and a recycled water system for water that can be used outdoors and to flush toilets etc.
- Effluent reuse
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Effluent reuse is a process where treated wastewater is recycled for useful purposes and is not discharged to a natural waterway. The treated water may be used in industry, for golf courses or to water plants.
- Filtration
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A process for removing particles from a solution by passing it through a porous structure or medium, such as a screen, membrane, sand or gravel.
- Grey water
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Household wastewater, which has not come into contact with toilet waste. It includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, washing machines and laundry tubs. It usually contains soap, detergents and fats.
- Ground water
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Water collected below ground level in an aquifer or water table.
- Kilolitre (kL)
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A measure of volume equivalent to 1,000 litres of water.
- Megalitre (ML)
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A measure of volume equivalent to a million litres. One megalitre is approximately the volume of a one metre deep Olympic-sized swimming pool.
- Millilitre (mL)
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A measure of volume which is equivalent to 0.001 of a litre.
- Non-potable reuse
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Water considered as unsafe to drink because it contains pollutants, contaminants, minerals or infective agents.
- Potable water
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Potable water means drinking water, also known as town water. It is water sourced from the council's reticulated water supply system. The use of potable water is subject to current water restrictions.
- Rainwater tank
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On-site storages to collect rainwater for beneficial use.
- Recycled water
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Reclaimed wastewater which has been stringently treated to an allowable reuse standard. Recycled water complies with strict government environmental and health guidelines. It is water treated to a standard that is fit for its intended purpose.
- Retro-fitting
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The fitting or replacing of appliances after the initial installation.
- Runoff
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Water that runs off the land into streams, dams or the sea.
- Storm water
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Rainfall that runs off roofs, roads and other surfaces and flows into gutters, streams and waterways.
- Stormwater system
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The system of pipes, canals and other channels used to carry stormwater to bodies of water, such as rivers or oceans. The system does not usually involve any treatment.
- Wastewater system
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The system of pipes and pump stations for collecting and transporting wastewater from each property to the wastewater (sewage) treatment plant.