| ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) |
Federal law |
| Aggregate |
A material or structure formed from a loosely-compacted mass of fragments |
| Anti-Icing |
Process of preventing the formation of ice, generally through the application of brine |
| Apron |
Flared section of driveway between sidewalk and street that allows access to private property |
| Automated Refuse Collection |
Method of refuse collection using a single operator, remaining in the cab operating a mechanical arm or lifting device that automatically extends and grasps or attaches to a standardized refuse container that is left at the curbside |
| AWWA (American Water Works Association) |
The AWWA is a professional advisory organization. |
| Backflow preventer/ vacuum breaker |
Mechanical device to prevent water from being drawn back into the potable system |
| Base Course |
Aggregate section placed on native ground to support pavement |
| BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) |
A bioassay used to determine the strength of wastewater |
| Brine |
A water and salt solution |
| CAA (Construction Access Agreement) |
A document allowing City construction on a small portion of private property |
| Carriage Walk |
A section of sidewalk installed perpendicular to the street between the public sidewalk and the street curb |
| Catch Basin |
A structure located at the point where a street gutter discharges into the storm sewer and designed to catch and retain coarse debris that would not pass readily through the sewer |
| CBOD (Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand) |
A bioassay used to determine the strength of wastewater without interference from ammonia |
| CC (Cross Connection) |
Possible interconnection of a contaminant to the potable water system |
| CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) |
The CCR is an annual water quality report |
| CCT (Corrosion Control Treatment) |
Chemicals added to the drinking water to minimize corrosion |
| CCTV (Closed Circuit Televising) |
A method of conducting inspection of underground pipes that allows viewers to review the condition and note location of lateral connections |
| Clay Dam |
A plug of clay material intended to block the flow of groundwater around underground pipes |
| Clean Out |
A surface inspection point utilized on smaller piping, typically on private property |
| Clearing and Grubbing |
The removal of trees and roots |
| Closed to Local Traffic |
Street is closed to all traffic, including properties within the construction zone |
| CMAR (Compliance Maintenance Annual Report) |
The required annual mechanism used to report treatment plant performance to the WDNR |
| CMOM (Capacity Management Operation and Maintenance) |
A required program used to keep accurate records of the efforts taken to clean and maintain a sanitary collection system |
| CT (Contract Time) |
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| Curb Stop |
The water shutoff valve for private property, typically located behind the curb, in the terrace |
| DATCP (Department of Trade, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection) |
The DATCP is a federal agency and control authority over the WFP certified laboratory |
| DBP (Disinfection Byproduct) |
Compound formed when chlorine or bromine interacts with organic materials in water |
| DMF (Dual Media Filter) |
One of the treatment processes in filtering drinking water |
| DMR (Discharge Monitoring Report) |
A monthly performance report submitted to the WDNR |
| DO (Dissolved Oxygen) |
The amount of dissolved free oxygen available in water |
| DSPS (Department of Safety and Professional Services) |
The DSPS is a state agency and control authority |
| EAM (Enterprise Asset Management) |
Computerized tool utilized to keep records of the equipment managed by staff |
| EMOR (Electronic Monthly Operating Report) |
A monthly performance report submitted to the WDNR |
| EP (Entry Point) |
Point at which drinking water leaves the WFP and enters the distribution system |
| EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) |
The EPA is a federal agency and control authority for environmental concerns and contaminants |
| Erosion Control |
Measures taken to reduce or eliminate the movement of soil from a construction site |
| ERP (Emergency Response Plan) |
This plan is used to respond to emergencies |
| Excavation |
The process of digging out the street bed in preparation of placing the base course and pavement |
| Flushing (Hydrants) |
Running water out of a fire hydrant. This practice is typically conducted on dead end mains where water quality is a concern |
| FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) |
Common in wastewater and a re-occuring problem that impacts biological processes at the wastewater treatment plant; can cause blockages in public and private sewers |
| Formwork |
Construction materials that make up a perimeter around an area to be paved |
| GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) |
Media used to remove contaminants from water |
| Galvanized Considered Lead |
Galvanized water service that was never downstream from lead |
| GIS (Global Information System) |
An electronic mapping and record-keeping system |
| Gpm (gallons per minute) |
Measure of flow rate |
| GPS (Global Positioning System) |
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| HAL (Health Action Level) |
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| HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) |
Materials that are hazardous and require special treatment and handling |
| HBWC |
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| HES (High Early Strength) |
A form of concrete that cures to usuable strength faster |
| HFBO-DA |
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| Hudson Box |
A cover utilized when a curb stop is located within pavement |
| HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) |
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| Inlet |
Structural point where water enters a sewer system |
| IOC (Inorganic Carbon) |
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| IT (Information Technology) |
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| KPI's (Key Performance Indicators) |
KPI's help track progress on the City’s Strategic Plan goals |
| Lateral Sidewalk Squares |
Sidewalk sections that are being replaced solely due to the installation of private service laterals |
| Lateral Televising |
Closed circuit televising of storm and sanitary sewer services |
| LCR/LCRR (Lead and Copper Rule/Lead and Copper Rule Revisions) |
Federal and State Regulations |
| Liming |
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| LOD (Limit of Detection) |
The lowest concentration of a substance in a sample that can consistently be detected |
| LOQ (Limit of Quantification) |
The lowest concentration at which the substance can not only be reliably detected, but at which some predefined goals for bias and precision are met |
| LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out) |
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| LSLR (Lead Service Line Replacement) |
Lead or galvanized considered lead water service lateral requiring replacement |
| LSLR Program (Lead Service Line Replacement Program) |
The mechanism that requires LSLR. It may or may not offer reimbursement funds to eligible property owners |
| Main/Arterial (Roadway) |
A high-capacity urban road in terms of traffic flow and speed |
| Manholes |
Underground structures utilized for pipe connections that have an access point at the surface |
| Marker Balls |
An underground utilize line locating device |
| MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) |
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| Meter (Water meter) |
Device owned, operated and maintained by the Water Utility; used to measure water usage for billing purposes |
| MG (Million Gallons) |
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| mg/l (Milligram per liter) |
A measurement used for chemical addition or reporting contaminants. Equivalent to one (1) part per million |
| MGD (Million Gallons per Day) |
Measure of flow rate |
| MS4 (Municipal Seperate Storm Sewer System) |
A Municipally owned and operated storm sewer system designed for conveyance of runoff to Waters of the State. Several EPA and WDNR regulations apply to the MS4 |
| NH3 (Ammonia) |
A compound that is common in wastewater and is the main loading factor for biosolids application on farm fields |
| NOD (Nitrogenous Oxygen Demand) |
The measure of the amount of oxygen necessary to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrate |
| NON (Notice of Noncompliance) |
A letter from the WDNR used to document violations and request corrections |
| NOV (Notice of Violation) |
A formal letter from the WDNR providing specific notice of alleged violations and consequences |
| NR101 (Wisconsin Legislature, Administrative Code, Department of Natural Resources, Chapter NR 101: Reports and Fees for Wastewater Discharges) |
NR 101 relates to annual Reports and Fees for Wastewater Discharges |
| NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) |
Measurement of water clarity |
| OCCT (Optimized Corrosion Control Treatment) |
Drinking water treatment process that is maximized for efficient reduction of pipe material corrosion from treated drinking water |
| PASER (Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating scale) |
The PASER scale is a 1-10 rating system for road pavement condition with 1 being the worst condition, and 10 being the best condition (new pavement).
The Department uses the PASER scale to rate road pavement condition and determine required repairs |
| Paving |
The process of placing final street pavement surface. This can refer to asphalt or concrete |
| PFAS compounds (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) |
PFAS compounds are a class of thousands of human-made chemicals used in everything from food packaging and cookware to upholstery, clothing and firefighting foam. The chemicals do not readily break down in the environment, so they are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” |
| PFBS |
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| PFBS |
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| PFHxS |
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| PFNA |
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| PFNA |
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| PFOA |
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| PFOS |
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| PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) |
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| Potable water (Drinking water) |
Water suitable for human consumption |
| POTW (Publicly Operated Treatment Works) |
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants |
| PPB (Parts per Billion) |
One (1) part per one (1) billion parts |
| Ppd (pounds per day) |
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| PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) |
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| PPM (Parts per Million) |
One (1) part per one (1) million parts |
| PPT (parts per trillion) |
One (1) part per one (1) trillion part |
| Private side water service |
Portion of the service owned, operated, and maintained by the property owner; includes pipe from the curbstop to the meter |
| PRV (Pressure Reducing Value) |
Mechanism to reduce pressure in the drinking water system |
| PSC (Public Service Commission of Wisconsin) |
State Regulatory Authority overseeing Utilities |
| Public Side Water Service |
Portion of the service owned, operated and maintained by the Water Utility; includes pipe from the public main to and including the curbstop |
| Punchlist |
A document utilized by inspectors after construction to inform the Contractor of work that needs attention |
| Rehab Sidewalk Squares |
Sidewalk sections that have defects requiring repair in order to maintain compliance with the ADA |
| Right of Way |
Publicly owned land available for the use of all. Typically right-of-way is associated with streets that are open for all, not private |
| RMP (Risk Management Plan) |
Plan that manages risk |
| Road Crown |
Downward slope of the road from the centerline to the curb. Intended to direct water from the roadway into storm sewers |
| Root Trimming |
Trimming of tree roots to allow for paving operations |
| Sanitary Lateral (Service) |
The small pipe conveying sewage from private property to the public main |
| Sanitary Sewer System |
The overall system utilized for the collection of sewage and conveyance of the sewage to the WWTP |
| SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) |
The computer program used to control processes and equipment |
| SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) |
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| SDS (Safety Data Sheets) |
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| SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act) |
Federal regulations applying to drinking water standards |
| Secondary/Collectors (Roadway) |
A road supplementing a main road, usually wide enough and suitable for two-way traffic |
| Sewage (Wastewater) |
The spent water of a community |
| Sidewalk |
A paved area at the edge of the right-of-way to facility pedestrian and other non-motorized transportation. Must be compliant with the ADA |
| Sidewalk Ramp |
Also referred to as a Handicapped Ramp. This is a section of public sidewalk that is tapered to a street crossing to allow safe passage of pedestrians, particularly disabled pedestrians |
| Sillcock (Hosebib) |
Threaded connection point for graden hose |
| SOC (Synthetic Organic Carbon) |
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| Soil Borings |
Drilling and sampling of soil conducted prior to construction to determine the soil conditions and test for contaminants |
| SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) |
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| Special Assessment |
A charge levied against adjacent property associated with public construction. Regulated by state statutes |
| Special Charge |
A mechanism for municipalities to recover certain costs associated with construction or maintenance. Regulated by state statutes |
| SSO (Sanitary Sewer Overflow) |
A SSO is a release of wastewater from a sewage collection system or from a location other than the permitted outfall |
| Stop Box |
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| Storm Lateral (Service) |
The small pipe conveying runoff and sump pump discharge from private property to the public main |
| Storm Lateral Inlet |
A structure connected to the storm lateral that allows surface water to enter the lateral |
| Storm Sewer System |
The overall system utilized for the collection of storm water runoff and conveyance to Waters of the State |
| Survey |
The process of obtaining information about what is present within a construction zone and determining elevations. The survey forms the basis for all design and construction work |
| SWTR (Surface Water Treatment Rule) |
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| Taper |
A section of curb that transitions from no height to a height matching adjacent curb (typically 6” in height) |
| Terrace |
Grass area between the sidewalk and curb. This is part of the public right-of-way. |
| Tier II (Chemical Inventory Report) |
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| TKN (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen) |
The combination of organic nitrogen and ammonia in a sample of water. |
| TLE (Temporary Limited Easement) |
A legal document allowing temporary access to another person’s property |
| TN (Total Nitrogen) |
The combination of Organic Nitrogen, Nitrite, Nitrate and Ammonia in a sample of water |
| TOC (Total Organic Carbon) |
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| Traffic Control |
Signage and measures installed to regulate how traffic flows |
| Trimming |
A mechanical process utilized to remove excess base course from the ground and create a consistent foundation for the placement of pavement |
| TSS (Total Suspended Solids) |
The total amount of debris that can be filtered in a sample of water |
| UCMR (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule) |
Provides EPA and other interested parties with suspected contaminant data present in drinking water, but that do not have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) |
| UDF (Uni-Directional Flushing) |
Flushing process to remove sediment and debris |
| ug/l (Microgram per liter) |
Ultra-low level contaminant reporting equivalent to one (1) part per billion |
| UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) |
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| Utility Locates (Digger’s Hotline Locates) |
Markings at are applied to the ground surface to show the approximate location of underground utilities |
| VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) |
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| VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) |
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| Warranty |
A period of time that materials and craftsmanship are guaranteed from defects |
| Water Lateral (Service) |
The small pipe conveying water from the main to private property |
| WDNR/DNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) |
The WDNR is a state agency and control authority for environmental concerns and contaminants |
| WET Test (Whole Effluent Toxicity Test) |
A bioassay to determine the quality of the Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent. Daphnia and Fathead minnows are raised in the effluent assessing its lack of toxicity |
| WFP (Water Filteration Plant) |
Plant that produces drinking water |
| WOTS (Waters of the State) |
Portions of public and private waters within the state or under its jurisdiction including lakes, bays, rivers, streams, springs, ponds, wells, impounding reservoirs, marshes, water courses, drainage systems and other surface water or groundwater (natural or artificial), except those waters which are entirely confined and retained completely upon the property of a person |
| WPDES (Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) |
The state program that issues permits that define water quality discharge limits. Program managed by WDNR |
| WQP (Water Quality Parameters) |
Different characteristics to be sampled for in drinking water monitoring |
| WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant) |
A facility that cleans, disinfects and discharges sewage |