Water Quality Terms

noun liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea

adjective flowing out or forth

• The effluent from the factory was carefully monitored to ensure it met environmental standards.
• The effluent coming out of that place smells terrible.
• I can't believe they're dumping effluent into the river, that's messed up.
• His speech was like effluent, flowing endlessly without any substance.

adjective relating to or resembling feces; containing or relating to waste matter

• The doctor performed a fecal analysis to check for any signs of infection.
• I can't believe the dog left a fecal surprise on the carpet again.
• I'm not touching that fecal matter with a ten-foot pole.
• The project was a fecal mess from start to finish.

noun the act or process of purifying or making something pure

adjective purifying, cleansing

• The purification process involves removing impurities from the water to make it safe for consumption.
• I always feel refreshed after a day at the spa, it's like a purification for my body and mind.
• After a long night of partying, I need to do a purification cleanse to feel better.
• Going on a solo retreat in nature is like a purification for the soul, clearing away all the noise and distractions of daily life.

noun a body of water, such as a sea or ocean, that contains a high concentration of salts

• The laboratory conducted tests on the effects of salt water on various marine species.
• I love swimming in the ocean because I enjoy the feeling of salt water on my skin.
• Let's hit the beach and take a dip in the salt water!
• His words stung like salt water on an open wound.

noun a worthless or contemptible person

• The company fired the employee for being involved in unethical practices, labeling him as scum.
• I can't believe that scum tried to cheat his way through the exam.
• Don't trust that scum, he's always up to no good.
• The polluted river was described as a breeding ground for environmental scum.

adjective Turbid is an adjective that describes something that is cloudy, opaque, or muddy in appearance, typically due to stirred-up sediment or other particles in a liquid.

• The turbid water in the river was caused by heavy rainfall washing sediment into the water.
• I wouldn't swim in that river, the water looks turbid and dirty.
• The water in the pond is so turbid, it's gross!
• His thoughts were turbid, clouded by conflicting emotions.

noun the quality or state of being turbid; cloudiness or opaqueness in a liquid, caused by the presence of particles

adjective turbid, having the quality of being cloudy or opaque in a liquid

• The turbidity of the water sample was measured using a nephelometer.
• You can tell the water is dirty just by looking at the turbidity.
• The turbidity of that water is off the charts!
• The turbidity of the situation clouded his judgment.