| Reaeration | (Environmental Engineering) The dissolving of molecular oxygen from the atmosphere into the water. |
| Receiving water | (Environmental Engineering) A water which receives wastewater (treated or otherwise) discharges. |
| Receiving water quality standards | (Environmental Engineering) Standards which require a discharger to maintain a certain quality level in the receiving water. |
| Runoff | (Environmental Engineering) The water that flows overland to lakes or streams during and shortly after a precipitation event. |
| Saltwater intrusion | (Environmental Engineering) The gradual replacement of freshwater by saltwater in coastal areas where excessive pumping of groundwater occurs. |
| Secondary standards | (Environmental Engineering) Recommended drinking water quality standards which relate to aesthetics and/or health. These standards are recommended, not required. See primary standards. |
| Secondary treatment | (Environmental Engineering) In wastewater treatment, the conversion of the suspended, colloidal and dissolved organics remaining after primary treatment into a microbial mass with is then removed in a second sedimentation process. Secondary treatment included both the biological process and the associated sedimentation process. |
| Secured landfill | (Environmental Engineering) A landfill which has containment measures such as liners and a leachate collection system so that materials placed in the landfill will not migrate into the surrounding soil, air and water. |
| Shock load | (Environmental Engineering) Influent wastewater entering the plant which has an unusually high organic content and/or high flow rate. |
| Surface water | (Environmental Engineering) Water which is contained in lakes, rivers, and oceans. |