Construction Terms

Below are some frequently used construction terms we use regarding JEA construction projects. 

• CIPP
• Clearwater
• Force Main
• Gravity Sewer
• Pipebursting
• Potable Water
• Pump Station
• Raw Water
• Reclaimed Water
• Water Main
• Water Reclamation Facility

CIPP

Cured In-Place Piping: A process through which a resin-saturated tube is placed into an existing sewer line. Water is then sent into the line containing the tube. The water pressure causes the tube to turn inside-out, propelling it down the existing sewer line and forming it to the shape of the existing pipe. The heat-sensitive resin is now on the outer wall of the tube and inner wall of the existing line. In the final step, hot water is circulated throughout the existing line, causing the resin to cure. The result is a new, structurally-sound, tight-fitting, "pipe-within-a-pipe".

Clearwater

Clearwater is a term used to refer to rain water or irrigation water that flows into our sanitary sewer system. The flow burdens our sewer treatment facilities and should be handled by storm drains, retention ponds, and natural runoff.

Force Main

A pressurized pipe that carries sewage under pressure from lower to higher elevations.

Gravity Sewer

The pipe that carries sewer from a higher point to lower point in the ground.

Pipebursting

A technique that allows replacement of underground pipe with minimal disruption to the surrounding community and environment. As the pipe bursting tool travels through the existing line (host pipe), it effectively burst the old line, displacing the fragments into the surrounding soil while simultaneously pulling in the new product pipe.

Potable Water

Chlorinated drinking water.

Pump Station

The facility creates pressure within the system so that material can be transported from a lower elevation to a higher elevation in the ground.

Raw Water

Untreated water from the Floridan Aquifer that has not been treated by JEA water plants.

Reclaimed Water

Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater. It has a good, clear appearance, is non-staining, odorless, safe and commonly used in selected irrigation and industrial processes. It contains low levels of nutrients that help our lawns and plants grow.

Reclaimed water must meet strict standards established and regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. These standards require high levels of treatment, including filtration and disinfection, and continuous monitoring of water quality.

Pipelines carrying reclaimed water are purple. Pipes and sprinkler heads on the reclaimed water system should be purple as well. This distinguishes them from pipes carrying drinking water.

Water Main

The pipe that carries potable water and provides fire protection.

Water Reclamation Facility

A water reclamation facility (WRF) is responsible for the process of removing contaminants from wastewater and household sewage, both runoff (effluents) and domestic. It includes physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants. Its objective is to produce an environmentally-safe fluid waste stream (or treated effluent) and a solid waste (or treated sludge) suitable for disposal or reuse (usually as farm fertilizer).

JEA’s sewer collection system handles more than 60 million gallons of wastewater per day through more than 2,100 miles of pipe and six wastewater treatment facilities.