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12.0 Glossary

Volume-to-Capacity Ratio (V/C): In reference to public services or transportation, ratio of
peak hour use to capacity. A measure of the operating capacity of a roadway or intersection,
in terms of the number of vehicles passing through, divided by the number of vehicles that
theoretically could pass through when the roadway or intersection is operating at its
designed capacity. Abbreviated as “V/C”. At a V/C ratio of 1.0, the roadway or intersection is
operating at capacity. If the ratio is less than 1.0, the traffic facility has additional capacity.
Although ratios slightly greater than 1.0 are possible, it is more likely that the peak hour will
elongate into a "peak period." In evaluating the performance of a roadway, V/C ratios should
be considered together with the letter grade system, which is more of a qualitative
assessment based heavily on speeds and travel time. This is typically used to describe the
percentage of capacity utilized by existing or projected traffic on a segment of an arterial or
intersection. (e.g., a roadway with a V/C of 0.60 has 60 percent of the total available capacity
being used by traffic.)

Warehousing Use: A use engaged in storage, wholesale, and distribution of manufactured
products, supplies, and equipment, excluding bulk storage of materials that are inflammable
or explosive or that present hazards or conditions commonly recognized as offensive.

Waste Stream: Any and all waste that has been generated and is being processed toward
permanent disposition.

Wastewater: Water that has been previously used by a municipality, industry, or agriculture
and has suffered a loss of quality as a result of use.

Wastewater Reclamation: Treatment and management of municipal, industrial, or
agricultural wastewater to produce water of suitable quality for additional beneficial uses.

Water Quality Basin: A storm water detention facility that holds water for a period of time
and that provides natural treatment of storm water runoff (through vegetation) in
compliance with Standard Urban Stormwater Management Plan (SUSMP) requirements.

Water Quality Criteria: A policy identifying beneficial uses for a particular receiving water
body (e.g., wildlife habitat, agricultural supply, fishing), along with the water quality criteria
necessary to support those uses. This can include the identification of specific levels of
constituents, such as lead, suspended sediment, and fecal coliform bacteria, that represent
the quality of water that support a particular use.

Water Reclamation Facility: A site at which wastewater is cleaned using biological and
chemical processes so that it can be returned to the environment to augment the natural
systems. It can include both aquifer and stream enhancement.

Water Recycling Act of 1991: Legislation, (California Water Code, Sections 13575–13583),
that established a statewide water recycling goal. As defined by the Act, recycled water is
wastewater that has been treated to a quality that allows the water to be used again.

Watercourse: Natural or once natural flowing (perennially or intermittently) water
including rivers, streams, and creeks. Includes natural waterways that have been

R:\Projects\PAS\CEN\000306\Draft EIR\12.0_Glossary-051017.docx 12-88 Centennial Project
Draft EIR