Important Parameters of Water Quality
Water as we know it, very-very important and vital for our survival on this blue planet. An adequate supply of water (quantity) alone would not guarantee our well-being as the quality of water would be a serious measure. One most comprehensive explanation of this is whether the water safe for the use of our body (through drinking) and clear of harmful diseases which effect our health.
The objective of this particular engineering field is to supply clean and safe water for public usage. Clean in physical terms as colorless, odorless, tasteless, and no suspended solids whereas safe from harmful microorganism, pathogen, dangerous organic or inorganic, and with lesser mineral substances.
Water, one of nature's most precious treasure.
Water quality measurements would include the physical, chemical, and biological parameters. [Image via: Extension.usu.Edu]
Physical Parameters
Physical characteristics relate to the quality of water for domestic and usually associated with the general appearance of the water.
Odor and Taste
It is the most common observation in water quality. The sources would be from organic compounds such as degradation of organic matters or petroleum, and inorganic compounds such as minerals, metals, salts which gives the taste. In addition, certain types of algae, especially the blue-green algae, can also impact foul tastes and odors. The significant effect of this would be upon our health, example gases like chlorine (Cl2) and feeling aesthetic.
It is the most common observation in water quality. The sources would be from organic compounds such as degradation of organic matters or petroleum, and inorganic compounds such as minerals, metals, salts which gives the taste. In addition, certain types of algae, especially the blue-green algae, can also impact foul tastes and odors. The significant effect of this would be upon our health, example gases like chlorine (Cl2) and feeling aesthetic.
pH
pH is a term used to indicate the alkalinity or acidity of a substance as ranked on a scale from 1.0 to 14.0. Normally it is caused by the balance of positive hydrogen ions (H+) and negative hydroxide ions (OH-) in water. The water will becomes acid if the scale falls below than 7 and alkaline if more than 7.
pH is a term used to indicate the alkalinity or acidity of a substance as ranked on a scale from 1.0 to 14.0. Normally it is caused by the balance of positive hydrogen ions (H+) and negative hydroxide ions (OH-) in water. The water will becomes acid if the scale falls below than 7 and alkaline if more than 7.
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of the amount of particulate matter that is suspended in water. It normally measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) or Formazin Turbidity Units (FTU). The sources would be from organic compounds such as plant fiber, human waste, etc. and inorganic compounds such as clay or sand. Beside of feeling aesthetic and effect upon health, the adsorption point or centre for chemicals and micro-organism would also effected.
Turbidity is a measure of the amount of particulate matter that is suspended in water. It normally measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) or Formazin Turbidity Units (FTU). The sources would be from organic compounds such as plant fiber, human waste, etc. and inorganic compounds such as clay or sand. Beside of feeling aesthetic and effect upon health, the adsorption point or centre for chemicals and micro-organism would also effected.
Temperature
Water temperature affects the ability of water to hold oxygen, the rate of photosynthesis by aquatic plants and the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms. The sources would normally be the effect from changes of weather or heat and industrial activities such as cooling system. The temperature effects would be upon the disturbance of biological activities (aquatic life and micro-organism) and the chemical properties such as the degree of gas solubility, density and viscosity.
Water temperature affects the ability of water to hold oxygen, the rate of photosynthesis by aquatic plants and the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms. The sources would normally be the effect from changes of weather or heat and industrial activities such as cooling system. The temperature effects would be upon the disturbance of biological activities (aquatic life and micro-organism) and the chemical properties such as the degree of gas solubility, density and viscosity.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in water:
- In cold water, oxygen would be less, and in hot water, oxygen content would be more.
- When the temperature is risen, the dissolved oxygen will decrease and eventually will make the bacteria becomes active…ready to rumble…
Total Suspended Solid
Total suspended solids (TSS) or minerals is a measure of the amount of sediment moving along in a stream. The sources would be from organic compounds such as plant fiber, human waste, etc. and inorganic compounds such as clay or sand. Beside of feeling aesthetic and effect upon health, the adsorption point or centre for chemicals and micro-organism would also effected. (It measured in mg/L)
Total suspended solids (TSS) or minerals is a measure of the amount of sediment moving along in a stream. The sources would be from organic compounds such as plant fiber, human waste, etc. and inorganic compounds such as clay or sand. Beside of feeling aesthetic and effect upon health, the adsorption point or centre for chemicals and micro-organism would also effected. (It measured in mg/L)
Chemical Parameters
The chemical characterization of drinking water would includes the identification of its components and its concentration of water. Water treatment plants normally monitor for a variety of inorganic and organic components.
Alkalinity
Alkalinity is a total measure of the substances in water that have “acid-neutralizing” ability and is not a pollutant. In other words, it is the quantity of ions in water which responsible in neutralizing the acid. The main constituents are bicarbonate (HCO3-), carbonate (CO32-), and hydroxide (OH-) ions.
Alkalinity is a total measure of the substances in water that have “acid-neutralizing” ability and is not a pollutant. In other words, it is the quantity of ions in water which responsible in neutralizing the acid. The main constituents are bicarbonate (HCO3-), carbonate (CO32-), and hydroxide (OH-) ions.
Normally the sources from mineral dissolved in water and air, and also from human activities such as detergent (in wastewater), fertilizers, pesticide, so forth. The effects would caused non pleasant taste and reaction between alkaline constituent and cation (positive ion), produces precipitation in pipe.
Hardness
Defined as a measure of multi-valent cations in water such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Mn3+. Ca2+ and Mg2+ are very important and usually present in water. Natural mineral from Earth is the source and effects of hardness would be excessive usage of soap, precipitate form on hardware and in pipelines which increased temperature and pH.
Defined as a measure of multi-valent cations in water such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Mn3+. Ca2+ and Mg2+ are very important and usually present in water. Natural mineral from Earth is the source and effects of hardness would be excessive usage of soap, precipitate form on hardware and in pipelines which increased temperature and pH.
Two kinds of hardness:
- Carbonate hardness; Temporary in character such as Ca(HCO3)2 and Mg(HCO3)2; precipitated through heating (boiling).
- Non-Carbonate hardness; Permanent in character such as CaCl2, CaSO4, MgCl2, MgSO4; eliminated through chemical softness method or ion exchange.
Inorganic Compounds
When placed in water, the inorganic compounds will dissociate into an electrically charged atoms referred as ions and classified as metal or non-metal.
When placed in water, the inorganic compounds will dissociate into an electrically charged atoms referred as ions and classified as metal or non-metal.
Metal Inorganic Compounds:
- Non-toxic Metal
- Among dangerous metal if the concentration is high such as Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Al3+.
- The source normally readily available from nature and have effects on color, odor, and turbidity as well as deteriorate health at high concentration.
- Toxic Metal
- Normally it is stored in the food chain, such as As2+, Ba2+, Cd2+, Cr2+, Pb2+, Hg2+.
- The source of this is from our own doing, through mining and industries which will promote dangerous diseases such as cancer, abortion, and deformation of the new born baby (abnormal).
Non-Metal Inorganic Compounds:
- The source is from mineral such as Si4+, Cl-, NO3-.
- The effects of non-metal:
- Diseases which caused blue baby syndrome (with less oxygen supply) due to heavy metal such as NO2-.
- Aesthetic due to Si4+.
- Fluoride (F-) which is not good for health if taken in high concentration, and excessive amount will caused teeth color changed and problem in bone growth.
Organic Compounds
All the organic compound contains carbon in combination with one or more elements.
All the organic compound contains carbon in combination with one or more elements.
The sources came from:
- Nature such as fibers, vegetable, animal oils and fats, cellulose, starch, and sugar.
- Synthesis of wide variety of compounds and materials prepared by manufacturing processes such as polyvinylchloride and DDT.
- Fermentation of alcohols, acetone, glycerol, antibiotics, acids, etc.
The effects would be:
- Depletion of the dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water that would eventually reduces its percentage and concentration, thus destroying aquatic life and damaging the ecosystems.
- Upon our health where some organics can caused cancer which contains Trihalomethane (THM-carcinogenic compound) produced in water and waste-water treatment plants. This occurred as a result of natural organic compound combined with chlorine (Cl2) for disinfection purposes.
Nutrients
It is a crucial elements needed by living things especially animals and plants to live and survive. Important elements are carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Carbon can be easily obtained from carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen is an important element for protein, chlorophyll and biological compounds. Phosphorus exists in a form of orthophosphate, condensed phosphate, and organic phosphate which it is readily present in soil, fertilizers, human waste and domestic waste.
It is a crucial elements needed by living things especially animals and plants to live and survive. Important elements are carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Carbon can be easily obtained from carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen is an important element for protein, chlorophyll and biological compounds. Phosphorus exists in a form of orthophosphate, condensed phosphate, and organic phosphate which it is readily present in soil, fertilizers, human waste and domestic waste.
Total Dissolved Solid
The total dissolved solids (TDS) in water consist of inorganic salts and dissolved materials. In other words, solid left in water after it was filtered and dried. The sources would be from organic compounds such as product from degradation of organic matters or gas and inorganic compounds such as minerals, metals and gases. The effect would cause the taste, color, and odor problems as well as our health, plus water would becomes corrosive to attain equilibrium due to small amount of TDS matter.
The total dissolved solids (TDS) in water consist of inorganic salts and dissolved materials. In other words, solid left in water after it was filtered and dried. The sources would be from organic compounds such as product from degradation of organic matters or gas and inorganic compounds such as minerals, metals and gases. The effect would cause the taste, color, and odor problems as well as our health, plus water would becomes corrosive to attain equilibrium due to small amount of TDS matter.
Note: It measured in either mg/L for organic and inorganic or mS/m for conductivity measurement.
Biological Parameters
For biological aspect, microbiological agents are important to public health and may also be significantly modified the physical as well as chemical characteristics of water. Water for drinking and cooking purposes must be free from any disease-producing organism calledpathogen. This group quantities are very small compared to other micro-organism. The experiment to determine the presence of all pathogens takes a long time and often very expensive as it is only carried out for very specific cases. The presence of pathogenic micro-organisms is shown by indicator microorganisms.
Indicator Micro-organisms
Their presence shows that popularization has occurred and suggests the type and level of pollution. The typical indicators used are the coliform groups, Fecal coliforms (E-coli) and Total coliforms (Fecal coliforms and any others).
Their presence shows that popularization has occurred and suggests the type and level of pollution. The typical indicators used are the coliform groups, Fecal coliforms (E-coli) and Total coliforms (Fecal coliforms and any others).
The Indicators Properties:
- Can be used for all types of waters,
- Always present when pathogen is present,
- Always absent when pathogen is absent,
- Easily experimented and give reliable results.
These are the parameters used when sampling of water taken from various resources where the data recorded and further tested in certified laboratory. Understanding of these parameters could be useful to assure the quality of water being safely use by the public.
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