COMMONLY USED WATER TERMS:
Aerator: A device screwed onto the end of a faucet spout that mixes air into flowing water to reduce water flow
Autofill (Automatic Pool Water Leveler): This device automatically allows water to flow into a pool to maintain a desired pool water level
Backflow Prevention Device: A device that prevents contaminants from entering the drinking water supply
Berm: A raised barrier such as mounded dirt used to contain irrigation water
Continuous Leak: An ongoing leak that occurs whether or not a water-using device is in operation
Emitter: A device on the end of drip irrigation tubing that regulates flow
Flood Irrigation: A flow of water that fills a basin surrounded by berms for landscape irrigation
Home vs. House: "Home" refers to the premises (both the property and the house); "house" refers to the structure itself
Hose Bibb: Exterior hose connection or spigot
House (Main) Water Shut-off Valve: This valve stops the flow of water from the service line to the house
Intermittent Leak: A non-continuous leak that starts and stops, this type of leak often coincides with the operation of a water-using device
Irrigation Controller/Timer: Controls the frequency and duration of irrigation watering cycles by automatically activating the control valves
Irrigation Station (Valve, Zone): Stations (programmed in the irrigation controller) switch on the valves that release the water to the irrigation zones in your yard or garden. The terms: station, valve and zone are often used interchangeably even though they have different meanings.
Irrigation System: Often consists of a backflow prevention device, underground pipes, valves and emitters, bubblers and/or sprinkler heads and an irrigation controller
Low-flow Indicator/Leak Detector: Typically looks like a small triangle, star or gear on the face of the water meter and rotates when water flows through the water meter
Overflow Tube: A tube in the toilet tank that allows water to flow into the toilet bowl
Riser: A vertical extension pipe used to raise the meter
Service Line: An underground pipe that carries water from the water meter to your home
Shut-off Valves: There are two main types of shut-off valves found in the home: (See Isolation Method.)
A gate valve opens by turning the handle left (counter clockwise) to start water flow and closes by turning it right (clockwise) to stop water flow.
A ball valve opens by turning the handle parallel to the water line to start water flow and closes by turning it perpendicular to the water line to stop water flow.
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Toilet Flapper: A device in a toilet tank that controls the release of water from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl
Water-using Device: A device such as an appliance (dishwasher, clothes washer, etc.), evaporative cooler, water feature, koi pond or automatic pet watering trough that utilizes water
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