--- title: 7 Words That Have a Different Meaning to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators description: We surveyed Wessler employees to find out what words they use that have a different meaning in the world of wastewater treatment plant operators. image: https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2178908397.jpg --- Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend! Friend's Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Comments Send Email Email sent! ![facebook](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=314229042108894&ev=PixelInitialized) [** Back to All Blog Posts](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog) # 7 Words That Have a Different Meaning to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators ![](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2178908397.jpg) [Facebook0](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/words-that-have-a-different-meaning-to-wastewater-treatment-plant-operators&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_button) [Tweet0](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/words-that-have-a-different-meaning-to-wastewater-treatment-plant-operators&text=MS4%20Training%20%E2%80%93%20Pollution%20Prevention%20%26%20Good%20Housekeeping%20Part%20I) [LinkedIn0](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/words-that-have-a-different-meaning-to-wastewater-treatment-plant-operators) [Email0](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/words-that-have-a-different-meaning-to-wastewater-treatment-plant-operators#shared-counts-email) Posted By Tyler Graves on January 08, 2015 We surveyed Wessler employees to find everyday words that have a totally different meaning in the world of [wastewater treatment plant operators](http://go.wesslerengineering.com/wwtp-operational-data) (and the engineers who work with them).  Here are their top picks: ### 1. Slug WWTP Meaning: Usually used in terms of a “slug discharge” into a municipal wastewater system. It is defined by the federal code of regulations. A slug discharge is any discharge including an accidental spill which has a potential to cause interference or pass through of a publicly owned treatment works. A wastewater treatment operator may talk about how a “slug” caused an upset at their wastewater plant. *Not this...* ![slug](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2178908397.jpg) ### 2. Tank *WWTP Meaning: *The "tank" we think of when we hear this word is an elevated water tank or a wastewater treatment process tank. *Not this...* ![tank](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2178901990.jpg?width=500&name=file-2178901990.jpg)   ### 3. Agitator WWTP Meaning: An agitator is a machine that mixes fluids so that there is uniform distribution from top to bottom of the basin.  *Not this...* ![agitator](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2208846350.jpg) ### 4. Bugs WWTP Meaning: Beneficial bacteria used in the wastewater treatment process.  *Not this...* *![bugs](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2209172714.jpg)* ### 5. Clarification WWTP Meaning: Clarification is the process of settling solids out of a fluid. As opposed to explaining or *clarifying* an obscure issue or concept... ![clarification](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2209172719.jpg) ### 6. Cake WWTP Meaning: Dried sludge or water treatment residuals. *The absolute opposite of this...* ![cake](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2208846345.jpg) ### 7. Digestion WWTP Meaning: The breakdown of waste using biological processes in a treatment plant. This is what the previously mentioned "bugs" are busy doing. *Which is kind of similar to this...* *![abstract-digestion](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/hub/216551/file-2204958883.jpg)*   ### What other jargon words do you use in wastewater treatment plants that have a totally different meaning? Share your contributions in the comments below. [![WWTP Operational Data Ebook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/216551/ceb42a2a-eae4-45a5-b789-2f3e735021c7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/216551/ceb42a2a-eae4-45a5-b789-2f3e735021c7)   Tags [wastewater treatment plant](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/topic/wastewater-treatment-plant) ### Subscribe ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1929122400700835&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=29224&fmt=gif)