An easy to use A to Z of some of the most commonly used terms used throughout the water industry.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
abstraction
Taking of water from river, reservoir or borehole. Abstractions of surface water and groundwater in England and Wales are subject to an Environment Agency licence. Licence holders include water undertakers, general industry (particularly electricity generating companies) and agricultural concerns.
appointed business
The business providing water (and sewerage) services; holds the licence to operate. Typically undertaken by a subsidiary company of a larger plc group also undertaking non regulated business, or other utility services (the multi utility).
aquifer
Underground water source – water-bearing rock and soil strata.
