Conducting Water Quality Tests

Next Generation Science / Common Core Standards Addressed!

HS‐ESS2‐5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its HS‐ESS2‐5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes. [Clarification Statement: effects on Earth materials and surface processes. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on mechanical and chemical investigations with water and a variety Emphasis is on mechanical and chemical investigations with water and a variety of solid materials to provide the evidence for connections between the of solid materials to provide the evidence for connections between the hydrologic cycle and system interactions commonly known as the rock cycle. hydrologic cycle and system interactions commonly known as the rock cycle. Examples of mechanical investigations include stream transportation and Examples of mechanical investigations include stream transportation and deposition using a stream table, erosion using variations in soil moisture deposition using a stream table, erosion using variations in soil moisture content, or frost wedging by the expansion of water as it freezes. Examples of content, or frost wedging by the expansion of water as it freezes. Examples of chemical investigations include chemical weathering and recrystallization (by chemical investigations include chemical weathering and recrystallization (by testing the solubility of different materials) or melt generation (by examining how testing the solubility of different materials) or melt generation (by examining how water lowers the melting temperature of most solids).water lowers the melting temperature of most solids).

Bell Work / Learning Objectives

Define water quality monitoring.Define water quality monitoring. Identify types of physical Identify types of physical

monitoring.monitoring. Explain water testing.Explain water testing.

Terms

Biological engineeringBiological engineering Visual monitoringVisual monitoring Water quality monitoringWater quality monitoring

Water Quality

What does water quality mean to What does water quality mean to you?you?

What makes one sample of water What makes one sample of water better than another?better than another?

How can you be sure of the How can you be sure of the quality of the water you are quality of the water you are using?using?

Water Quality Monitoring

The studying of water to detect The studying of water to detect changes in its quality. changes in its quality.

The physical, chemical, and biological The physical, chemical, and biological make-up of the water source should make-up of the water source should be monitored regularly. be monitored regularly.

Regular monitoring will help Regular monitoring will help determine what changes are taking determine what changes are taking place and how to stop these changes place and how to stop these changes or make other corrective measures. or make other corrective measures.

Water Quality Monitoring

Water testing Water testing can be done by can be done by the landowner, the landowner, by a lab, or by by a lab, or by private testing private testing companies.companies.

Physical Monitoring

Includes the visual and other Includes the visual and other physical observations of the physical observations of the water. water.

Monitoring the odor of the water Monitoring the odor of the water source and the course and any source and the course and any changes in the course of the changes in the course of the water source are also examples water source are also examples of physical monitoring.of physical monitoring.

Visual Monitoring Determining changes in water by looking Determining changes in water by looking

at it. at it. These changes may be in the color or the These changes may be in the color or the

presence of sediment or other materials. presence of sediment or other materials.

Changes in Color

May result from the presence of May result from the presence of algae or bacteria. algae or bacteria.

Foam Forming

Would indicate the presence of Would indicate the presence of decomposition. decomposition.

Observation of Dead Animals

Could also be considered visual Could also be considered visual monitoring.monitoring.

Test for Odors

The odor of rotten eggs would The odor of rotten eggs would indicate high levels of sulfur. indicate high levels of sulfur.

Sewage and chlorine are other Sewage and chlorine are other obvious odors that would result obvious odors that would result from sources of pollution in the from sources of pollution in the water.water.

Change of Course

A change of the water course A change of the water course source is usually due to erosion. source is usually due to erosion. These changes may cause adverse These changes may cause adverse

affects to the water supply. affects to the water supply. One way to prevent changes in One way to prevent changes in

course is biological engineering. course is biological engineering. Biological engineering is using Biological engineering is using

plants to stabilize creek or stream plants to stabilize creek or stream banks.banks.

Water Testing

Can be done for a couple dollars or a Can be done for a couple dollars or a couple hundred dollars. couple hundred dollars.

The type and extent of the testing will The type and extent of the testing will determine the overall cost. determine the overall cost.

Examples of different water tests that Examples of different water tests that can be conducted include hardness, can be conducted include hardness, dissolved gases, nitrates and nitrites, dissolved gases, nitrates and nitrites, pH and acidity.pH and acidity.

Hardness of Water

Reported in parts per million Reported in parts per million (ppm). (ppm). Less than 100 ppm is most Less than 100 ppm is most

desirable. desirable. Water with 250 ppm or more are Water with 250 ppm or more are

considered hard and requires considered hard and requires treatment.treatment.

Dissolved Gases

Carbon dioxide and hydrogen Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide present in a water sample sulfide present in a water sample can result in a fowl odor or taste. can result in a fowl odor or taste.

They can be tested for, but They can be tested for, but results are not usually reported results are not usually reported unless the odor and taste of the unless the odor and taste of the water becomes objectionable.water becomes objectionable.

Nitrates and nitrites

Present in the water when Present in the water when organic matter begins to break organic matter begins to break down. down.

Nitrate levels above 10 milligrams Nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter indicate contamination. per liter indicate contamination.

Nitrite levels above 0.0005 Nitrite levels above 0.0005 milligrams per liter indicate milligrams per liter indicate contamination.contamination.

Water pH

The acidity of water refers to the The acidity of water refers to the pH level. pH level.

Water with a pH of less than 7.0 Water with a pH of less than 7.0 is acidic and can be harmful to is acidic and can be harmful to plumbing fixtures. plumbing fixtures.

Water can also be discolored Water can also be discolored when the pH is too low.when the pH is too low.

Review / Summary

Define water quality monitoring.Define water quality monitoring. Identify types of physical Identify types of physical

monitoring.monitoring. Explain water testing.Explain water testing.

The End!