Water Quality - Research Paper Example

Introduction Water quality refers to the physical, chemical and biological distinctiveness of water. It is a measure of the state of water in relation to the needs of human beings or other living organisms. Water quality standards set a base of reference for assessment. Different bodies set the standards for basing water quality measurements. The primary purpose for setting standards is protection of aquatic and human life. Standards The concerned organizations set different standards according to the varying uses of water (WHO 1). Environmental factors affect natural water bodies and environmental specialists work to identify sources of contamination. Many people usually associate the term “water quality” with contamination. Water quality, as a topic under discussion, is a complex subject since water cannot be separated from the ecology. The chief cause of water pollution on the globe is its use in industrial and commercial sectors of the economy. Untreated wastes from industries pose a significant threat to aquatic, as well as human life. Runoff water from agricultural activities also contaminates water. Parameters As stated earlier, standards for measuring water quality are set accordingly as uses of water vary. The intended use of water, therefore, sets parameters for water quality. There is a focus on water treated for use in industries, by human beings or in the environment. Contaminants in untreated water intended for human use comprise of organic contaminants (chemical contaminants from industrial and petroleum use), inorganic contaminants (salts and metals), and microorganisms (bacteria and viruses). Water quality depends on bio network or ecology, as well as human uses of water. For example, water may be used to dispose sewage or industrial waste thereby affecting its quality (Kaul and Gautam 4). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), established in 1970s, has set two types of standards to limit contaminants in tab water. These standards are primary, which regulate substances that are likely to harm health of people, and secondary. Secondary standards dwell on the qualities that have an effect on odor, appearance and taste. Drinking water may have low levels of contaminants which may not necessarily pose a threat to health. Municipal water systems in urban areas use water purification technology to treat water from the source before distributing for human use. The terms “hard” and “soft” water describe types of water needed for industrial or domestic use. Hard water contains minerals, for example, magnesium and calcium, which hamper effective washing abilities of soap. Soft water, on the other hand, does not have minerals and people prefer it for washing. Soft water is not healthy for human consumption since it lacks minerals needed by the body. Therefore, softening of hard water for human use is not advisable. Environmental water quality touches on surface water in oceans, rivers and lakes. The quality standards for such water vary due to flora and fauna, ecological conditions and intended human use (“Water quality targets online” 10). Toxic substances in water, needed for fishing, irrigation and industrial use, present risk to health. Plants irrigated with such water absorb toxins which get passed on along the chain as animals consume them. Toxins also have adverse effects on aquatic life. Water quality regulations set standards for protection of water, and establish provisions to guard against water contamination. Environmental scientists strive to preserve flora and fauna and focus on preservation of endangered kind and the health of people. Water quality sampling and testing There are numerous water quality indicators which shows that water quality as an area under discussion is multifaceted. Water exists in balance with the environment and, hence, experts make precise measurements of water quality on the source. Measurements of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved gases, and transparency depth (closely related to turbidity) are examples of water qualities assessed on site. Complex assessment of water requires sample to be taken to specialized facilities. Experts, therefore, collect a water sample and facilitate transportation to a testing facility. Collection and preservation of samples, until analysis, requires elaborate procedures in order to maintain integrity (Kaul and Gautam 19). There are two main problems associated with sampling. Firstly, water has a property to establish a balance or equilibrium with its environment. Sample water may not represent the source due to its interaction with collection and transportation vessels. Pollutants in the collection and transportation vessel may alter results. It is, therefore, necessary to wash these vessels before using. The vessels should not be made of materials that can react with water. The environment may well have an effect on the gas composition of a sample. Atmospheric gases may possibly dissolve into the sample. Presence of microorganisms in a sample also alters composition and volume of gases. Amoeba, for instance, respire using oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide in large quantities significantly alters PH which, in turn, affects solubility of chemicals in water. This is sensitive if the chemicals to be measured are in low concentration. Fine water particles suspended at source by turbulence may settle in sampling container. The particles may also form a solid due to chemical precipitation or biological growth. Secondly, the degree to which samples represent the whole cannot be ascertained. Water sources differ with time and locality. Measurements may as well vary due to aquatic populations, activities of human beings or the season. It is necessary to find out if only one location or time meets the needs for a research. Values can be obtained over a certain period and averages sought to solve the issue of time. The problems associated with sampling can be solved by sample preservation. This involves maintenance of samples at relatively low temperatures. This significantly lowers phase changes and rate of chemical reaction. Pretesting of control and treatment sample groups prior to the actual study may help determine changes that occur during research. Experts investigate water quality through any of the three different tests. The experts divide the tests into physical, chemical and biological. Physical measurement involves taking into account the physical properties of water, e.g. taste, temperature, color, odor and turbidity. Experts do chemical tests to find out the concentrations and strength of the elements in water (Kaul and Gautam 2). This includes measuring the amount of dissolved gases and water PH. Biological tests look at population of microorganisms in water. Bacteria, fungi and virus thrive, well in an aquatic environment. Contamination of this environment may reduce their populations. The indicators of water quality Water quality indicators are classified into three categories as follows: physical, chemical and biological indicators. Physical indicators of water include temperature, turbidity, water taste, color, odor, total suspended solids. The PH, hardness, metals, dissolved oxygen are examples of chemical indicators (WHO 6). Biological indicators comprise of Mayfly, Stonefly and Caddis fly, known scientifically as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera respectively. In conclusion, water is highly beneficial to life on earth. Water should, therefore, be protected to preserve quality. Water quality covers the chemical, physical, and biological distinctiveness of water. Concerned bodies have set standards for water quality measurement which act as the base reference. The chief reason for setting these standards is protection of aquatic and human life. Works Cited Kaul, Sharika Nandan, and Ashutosh Gautam. Water and wastewater analysis. Delhi: Daya, 2002. Print. Water quality targets online. Version 1.0. ed. Canberra: Environment Australia, 2002. Print. World Health Organization. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2011. Print. Read More