Water Resources Vocabulary

Watershed All the land area that supplies water to a particular river system

Permeable Having spaces or pores that allow water or other substances to pass through

Impermeable Not allowing water or other substances to pass through

Aquifer A sponge-like formation of rock, sand or gravel that holds water

Water Table the boundary between the zone of aeration and the zone of saturation in an aquifer

Recharge Zone an area where surface water soaks into the ground and reaches an aquifer

Well a channel dug into an aquifer to reach groundwater

Water Division the process of moving water from its source to places where humans can use it

Reservoir an artificial lake where water for human use is stored

Desalination the process of removing salt from seawater

Point Source Pollution Direct pollution that comes from a specific location

Nonpoint Source Pollution Indirect pollution that comes from many places over a large area

Wastewater water that has been used in households, businesses, industries, or public facilities and drained or flushed down the pipes as well as the polluted runoff from streets and storm drains

Algal Bloom the rapid growth of algae in an area that can cover the surface of the water and block sunlight from reaching plants below

Septic System a method of wastewater disposal