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aquifers
Areas underground that hold water.
biosolids
The solid organic materials that are produced during the wastewater treatment process.
climate change
Rapid change in climate due to human activity (mainly burning fossil fuels) increasing heat trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
condensation
The process of changing water from a gas to a liquid.
contamination
Where something unwanted or harmful enters something useful e.g., sewage contaminating the drinking water.
cultural and social equity
The fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in rightful opportunities and outcomes for all.
drain
Captures excess rainwater from paved streets, car parks, footpaths, and roofs.
emissions
Something that is released into the environment e.g., smoke from a fire, fumes from a car.
equity
Making sure everyone has what they need.
evaporation
The process of changing water from a liquid to a gas.
greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat. They let sunlight pass through the atmosphere, but they prevent the heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere. Overall, greenhouse gases are a good thing. Without them, our planet would be too cold, and life as we know it would not exist. But there can be too much of a good thing. Scientists are worried that human activities are adding too much of these gases to the atmosphere.
gutter
A ditch or channel that runs along the edge of the street/curb to carry rainwater to a drain.
impermeable
A substance that water cannot pass through e.g., concrete or metal.
kaitiakitanga
Guardianship and protection. It is a way of managing the environment, based on the Māori world view.
mana whenua
The indigenous people (Māori) who have historic and territorial rights over the land.
microorganism
Also known as microbes, these living things (organisms) are too small to be seen with the naked eye. You would normally view microorganisms with a microscope. Bacteria, viruses, and some moulds are examples of microorganisms. Most microorganisms are essential to life on Earth.
national grid
The network of high voltage power lines that go from power stations to electricity users such as people in houses and factories.
overflow
Too full, with the contents flowing over or out of where they are normally contained.
permeable
A substance, or material that absorbs or allows water to pass through e.g., lawns and gardens.
precipitation
Any liquid or frozen water that forms in the atmosphere and falls back to the Earth.
renewable
The word used to show that a resource can be replaced relatively quickly. Renewable energy is made from resources that nature will replace, like wind, water, and sunshine. Renewable energy is also called "clean energy" or "green power" because it doesn't pollute the air or the water.
sewage
Human waste and wastewater which needs to be treated at a wastewater treatment station before it can be released back into the environment.
sewer
Usually a covered drain or pipe which carries off wastewater.
spoil
Soil, dirt, and rubble produced when you dig holes and bore tunnels.
stakeholder
A person or group of people with an interest or concern in something such as a business or community project.
stormwater
Rainwater that has drained off buildings, solid surfaces, and roads.
sustainability
Meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves natural resources, as well as social equity and economic development.
tunnel boring machine or TBM
A machine used to bore out earth to create a tunnel. It also lines the tunnel with concrete segments as it moves through the hole it has cut.
urban
Towns or city areas, where there are lots of buildings, roads, and houses.
wastewater
Any water including sewage that has been used and needs to be treated before it can be discharged back into the environment.
wastewater treatment plant
A place where wastewater is cleaned so that it is not harmful to people or the environment.
Watercare
New Zealand's largest company in the water and wastewater industry. They supply more than 400 million litres of water to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland every day.
water cycle
The path that all water follows as it moves around Earth in different states.
waterway
River, stream or drain. A route for water to flow through.
