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Sediment

Fragmental material that originates from weathering of rocks and is transported by, suspended in, or deposited by water or air or is accumulated in beds by other natural agencies.

Sediment discharge

The rate at which dry weight of sediment passes a section of a stream or is the quantity of sediment, as measured by dry weight, or by volume, that is discharged in a given time.

sedimentary rock

Any rock resulting from the consolidation of sediment.

Sediments

Particulate material, including soil, sand, and minerals, transported and deposited by water or wind (see erosion). Waterborne sediments cloud the water diminishing sunlight available to aquatic plants; sediments deposited in reservoirs, rivers, and harbors destroy fish and wildlife habitat and may fill shipping channels. Farming, mining, and building and construction activities that expose soil to wind and rain are major sources of sediments.

Seepage

Movement of water through a porous medium, often used in the context of water movement from a groundwater system to surface water, or vice versa. For example, seepage of groundwater into a drainageway or seepage of water out the bottom of a canal or under a dam.

Seiche

The free oscillation of the bulk of water in a lake and the motion caused by it on the surface of the lake.

Self-supplied water

Water withdrawn from a surface- or ground-water source by a user rather than being obtained from a public supply.

Semi-private water system

“A water supply which is not a public water system, yet which serves a segment of the public other than an owner-occupied single family dwelling.” (415 ILCS 55/9a7) Typically, this could be a well that serves several households (less than 15 service connections). The IDPH may conduct inspections to investigate the construction or water quality of semi-private water systems.

Septic system

An on-site system designed to treat and dispose of domestic sewage from a residence or business not connected to a sewer line. A typical septic system consists of a tank that receives waste and holds it while bacteria decompose solids, and a system of tile lines or a pit for disposal of the liquid effluent. The sludge that remains in the tank after decomposition of the solids must be pumped out periodically. By using the assimilative capacity of the land, a properly operating septic system has minimal impact, but an improperly functioning system can be a source of nitrogen pollution and of groundwater contamination.

Septic tank

Underground tank for treatment of wastewater from a home in rural and suburban areas. Bacteria in the tank decompose organic wastes and the sludge settles to the bottom of the tank. The effluent flows out of the tank into the ground through a field of drainpipes.

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