Wastewater Terms Defined

When a professional in any industry talks about his or her work, it might sound like Greek if it’s not within your realm of expertise. It’s not unusual to mistrust people who confuse you with hopes you’ll just buy whatever they’re saying. If you’re shopping for wastewater services, don’t get confused by a fast-talking salesperson. Here are some words you might expect to hear when talking to service providers.

Vocabulary Lesson
Baffle – A flat board or plate in a grease trap or septic tank used to direct flowing water.

Effluent – Wastewater that has been filtered of sludge and scum that flows out of a septic tank.

Grease Trap – Also called a grease interceptor, this plumbing device traps grease and solids before they enter a wastewater disposal system.

Grey Water – The relatively clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines and other kitchen appliances.

Jetting:  A method of using water pressure to clear drain lines and clean out other wastewater receptacles such as catch basins.

Leach – The process by which wastewater is purified by the action of percolating liquid. In a leach field, effluent percolates through the soil before flowing into groundwater.

Pipe Joint Seal – Tightness or lack of leakage at a pipe joint.

Scum – Waste that is less dense than water and floats in a septic tank.

Sludge – Solid waste that is denser than water and sinks to the bottom of a septic tank.

We Speak Septic
We know the language of wastewater technicians and plumbers, but we try to communicate in a way that makes sense to our customers. We want you to understand the work we do, so you can feel secure about the services you’re paying for. Before starting any job, we ensure you are comfortable with our proposals and welcome your questions. To learn more about our services and why we’re number 1 in the industry, Contact Wind River Environmental today.