| ABS | alkylbenzenesulfonate |
| ADD | average daily dose |
| ADI | acceptable daily intake |
| AGI | acute gastrointestinal infection |
| AOP | advanced oxidation process |
| APEO | alkylphenol polyethoxylate |
| ARR | artificial recharge recovery |
| ASR | aquifier storage and recovery |
| AWWA | American Water Works Association |
| BAF | bioaccumulation factor |
| BASINS | Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint |
| Sources | |
| BCF | bioconcentration factor |
| BGD | billion gallons per day |
| BNR | biological nutrient removal |
| BOD | biochemical oxygen demand |
| BPA | bisphenol A |
| CCE | carbon-chloroform extract |
| CCL | Contaminant Candidate List |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| CDPH | California Department of Public Health |
| CEC | contaminant of emerging concern |
| CERP | Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan |
| CRWS | Central Regional Wastewater System |
| CSF | cancer slope factor |
| CWA | Clean Water Act |
| CWD | chronic wasting disease |
| DALYs | disability-adjusted life years |
| DBP | disinfection byproduct |
| DOC | dissolved organic carbon |
| DOE | Department of Energy |
| ED | electrodialysis |
| EDR | electrodialysis reversal |
| EE2 | ethinyl estradiol |
| EPA | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
| ERA | ecological risk assessment |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| FIFRA | Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act |
| GWRC | Global Water Research Coalition |
| GWRS | groundwater replenishment system |
| HAAs | haloacetic acids |
| HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
| IPR | indirect potable reuse |
| IU | infectious unit |
| IWF21 | Interim Water Factor 21 |
| JECFA | Joint Expert Commission on Food Additives |
| KWRP | Kwinana Water Reclamation Plant |
| LOAEL | lowest observed adverse effect level |
| LOEC | lowest observed effect concentration |
| MBR | membrane bioreactor |
| MCL | maximum contaminant level |
| MCLG | maximum contaminant level goal |
| MDWASD | Miami Dade Water and Sewer Department |
| MF | microfiltration |
| MGD | million gallons per day |
| MIB | methylisoborneol |
| MMWD | Marin Municipal Water District |
| MOE | margin of exposure |
| MOS | margin of safety |
| NDMA | nitrosodimethylamine |
| NDWAC | National Drinking Water Advisory Council |
| NEPA | National Environmental Policy Act |
| NGO | nongovernmental organization |
| NJDEP | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection |
| NOEC | no observed effect concentration |
| NOM | natural organic matter |
| NPDES | National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System |
| NPDWR | National Primary Drinking Water Regulation |
| NRC | National Research Council |
| NTU | nephelometric turbidity unit |
| O&M | operation and maintenance |
| OCWD | Orange County Water District |
| OECD | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |
| OWD | Oceanside Water Department |
| PCCL | Preliminary Contaminant Candidate List |
| PCR | polymerase chain reaction |
| PEC | predicted environment concentration |
| PFOA | perfluorooctanoate |
| PFOS | perfluorooctane sulfonate |
| PNEC | predicted no-effect concentration |
| PPCP | pharmaceuticals and personal care products |
| QALYs | quality-adjusted life years |
| RBAL | Risk-Based Action Level |
| RBF | riverbank filtration |
| RfD | reference dose |
| RO | reverse osmosis |
| RQ | risk quotient |
| RWC | recycled water contribution |
| SAR | sodium absorption ratio |
| SAT | soil aquifer treatment |
| SCVWD | Santa Clara Valley Water District |
| SDWA | Safe Drinking Water Act |
| SDWRP | South District Water Reclamation Plant |
| SFWMD | South Florida Water Management District |
| SWAQ | Subcommittee on Water Availability and Quality |
| SWFWMD | Southwest Florida Water Management District |
| TDI | tolerable daily intake |
| TDS | total dissolved solids |
| TEF | toxicity equivalency factor |
| TEQ | toxic equivalents |
| THM | trihalomethane |
| TN | total nitrogen |
| TOC | total organic carbon |
| TOR | threshold of regulation |
| TOX | total organic halides |
| TP | total phosphorus |
| TSCA | Toxic Substances Control Act |
| TSS | total suspended solids |
| TTC | threshold of toxicological concern |
| UCMR | Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation |
| UIC | underground injection control |
| UOSA | Upper Occoquan Service Authority |
| USAID | U.S. Agency for International Development |
| USACE | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| USDA | U.S. Department of Agriculture |
| USBR | U.S Bureau of Reclamation |
| USGS | U.S. Geological Survey |
| WET | whole effluent toxicity |
| WERF | Water Environment Research Foundation |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| WRP | water reclamation plant |
| YAR | yeast androgen receptor |
| YES | yeast estrogen |