This glossary comes from the SADC Water Hub


TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)The amount of dissolved substances, such as salts or minerals, in water remaining after evaporating the water and weighing the residue. Used as a measure of physical water quality.
TectonicRefers to structures and features resulting from changes in the earth’s crust.
TemperateA region in the mid-latitudes, typically subject to distinct seasonal weather patterns.
TemporalRelated to time.
TerracingThe creation of step-like, level surfaces along a slope in hilly agricultural areas.
ThunderstormAlso known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, or a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its effect: thunder.
TillageLoosening of the soil in preparation for planting of crops.
Toll resourceA resource that is non-subtractable, and can thus be consumed jointly without reducing the benefit of each single user, and from which users can be easily excluded. An example of a toll resource is a nature reserve where people pay an entrance fee to access the reserve. Also known as a club resource.
Total Suspended Solid (TSS)A water quality measurement related to the amount of small solid particles which remain in suspension in the water.
TourismTravel for recreational, leisure or business purposes.
ToxicA substance that is harmful to health or lethal if consumed or otherwise entering into the body in sufficient quantities.
Traditional agricultureFarming methods vary from one ethnic group or location to another, according to population density, climate, water supply, and soil.
Traditional knowledgeGenerally refer to the matured long-standing traditions and practices of certain regional, indigenous, or local communities.
Transboundary resourceA resource that is not confined within existing administrative boundaries.
Transboundary Water Resources ManagementTransboundary watercourses need to be managed to resolve issues before they develop into international conflicts, e. g. promotion of water demand management, conflict management, stakeholder-based decision-making to manage competing water demands, sanitation, institutional strengthening and capacity-building, training programs for monitoring, analysis, and planning of water resources management.
Transfer tunnelA tunnel used to transfer water from one area to another.
Transfrontier conservation areaAn area comprising two areas, which border each other across international boundaries and whose primary focus is wildlife conservation. Authorities responsible for the respective areas formally agree to manage the areas as one integrated unit according to a streamlined management plan. The authorities also undertake to remove all human barriers within the Transfrontier Park so that animals can roam freely (DEAT website 2009).
TranshumanceTranshumant pastoralism is a form of mobile pastoralism that involves more predictable patterns of cyclical seasonal movements of domestic animals and to varying degrees also people along specific routes. During the rainy season when water and grazing resources are relatively plentiful, animals usually remain at or close to the (semi-)permanent homesteads of the people. During the dry season, animals are moved to specific dry-season grazing areas where grazing resources tend to last throughout the dry season.
TransparencyAn expectation on organisations by society to be open and willing in the acceptance of public scrutiny, thus diminishing the capacity for an organisation to practice or harbour deception or deceit . Transparency ensures that the decision-making process, as well as the implementation and enforcement of decisions, is done in a manner that follows the rule of law.
Treatment facilityA facility where water undergoes physical and chemical processes for making water suitable for human consumption and other purposes.
TreatyA treaty is essentially a settlement or an agreement arrived at by treating or negotiation. In international law the word ‘treaty’ has been used to cover a variety of international agreements. The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969 is the codification of the practice of international treaty-making, which was previously regulated by the customary rules of international law. The Convention defines a treaty in the international context as an agreement whereby two or more nation states establish, or seek to establish, a relationship between themselves imposing binding obligations on themselves and governed by international law.
TrematodaParasitic flatworms.
TributaryA stream or other watercourse that flows into a larger stream or river.
TSS (Total Suspended Solid)A water quality measurement related to the amount of small solid particles which remain in suspension in the water.
Tswana (Batswana)The name of a Southern African people (speak Tswana language, also called Setswana). Ethnic Batswana make up a majority of the population of Botswana.
TuberculosisTuberculosis, sometimes referred to as TB, is a disease caused by an organism called mycobacterium tuberculosis. These bacteria most commonly attack the lungs. People with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to TB.
TurbellariaFree-living flatworms.
TurbidCloudy water, usually due to increased sediment load.
TyphoidInfection usually associated with an intestinal inflammation and ulceration; caused by Salmonella typhosa ingested with food or water.