General Glossary

A moving source of pollution, such
as a car or truck.

A well installed at a site to
determine the direction of ground
water flow, levels of
contamination and other ground
water characteristics.

Waste generated in households,
commercial establishments,
institutions and light industries.
Industrial process, agricultural
and mining wastes and sewage
sludge are not municipal solid
waste.

A well that is open to more than
one aquifer. Such wells can be
pathways for contaminants to reach
deep ground water.

A substance that causes genetic
changes in humans or animals.

The federal list of Superfund
sites nationwide.

A series of events in nature that
repeat over and over, usually
involving a complete process of
growth or action. Examples
include: the oxygen, nutrient,
hydrologic and mineral cycles.

Polluted runoff -- nutrients and
pollution sources not discharged
form a single point: e.g., runoff
from agricultural fields or
feedlots.

Natural materials that are
considered finite, or exhaustible
because of their scarcity, the
great length of time for their
formation or their rapid
depletion.

Not containing ingredients that
are harmful, poisonous or
destructive.