
Parts Per Million (PPM)
A common basis of reporting water analysis. One part per million (PPM) equals one pound per million pounds of water. One part per billion (PPB) equals one pound per billion pounds of water.
Pathogen
Microorganism which can cause disease. .
Percolation
1. The slow seepage of water into and through the ground. 2. The slow seepage of water through a filter medium 3. The movement, under hydrostatic pressure, of water through the interstices of a rock or soil.
pH
A measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of water. Water with a pH of 7 is neutral; lower pH levels indicate increasing acidity, while pH levels higher than 7 indicate increasingly basic solutions.
Phosphate
Salt of phosphoric acid, often found in fertilizers.
Point Source Pollution
Water pollution coming from a single point, such as a sewage-outflow pipe.
Pollution
The process of contaminating air, water and land with impurities to a level that is undesirable and results in a decrease in usefulness of the environment for beneficial purposes.
PPB
Parts per billion
PPM
Parts per million