Drinking Water Quality - Assignment Example

Drinking Water Quality December 4, Table of Contents Introduction Objectives ment 2 Methods 2 Resultsand Discussion 3 TDS Averages (Mean) 3 Bar Graph Representation of Average TDS Levels 3 Conclusion 4 References 5 Introduction Water quality refers to the suitability of water in sustaining various uses or processes (Bartram et al., 1996). Any particular use of water necessitates some requirements for the physical, biological and chemical composition of water. For instance, there are some limitations on the maximum amount of toxic substances allowed in water for it to be termed as “safe” for drinking. When it comes to the human life, what quality is highly important. According to the World Health Organization (2008), diseases associated with drinking water contamination have become a major to human health. As a result, WHO urges for proper and quicker interventions so as to improve the quality of drinking. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) denotes the total amount of various inorganic salts (e.g. chlorides, sodium, calcium, bicarbonates. magnesium, sulfates and potassium) as well as the other small amounts of organic matter dissolved in water. TDS caused water contamination. The World Health Organization and various national bodies worldwide have prescribed an acceptable limit of 500 mg/L for TDS. Improving water quality will go a long way in fostering a number of significant health benefits. It is not surprising to note that water quality is very important to humanity as well as the survival of other species. First of all, portable water is highly scarce. More crucially, only 3% of the world’s water is safe for drinking and 2% of this water is found ice and glaciers. Therefore, it is only 1% of the world’s water that is actually available for drinking. This is the reason why water quality is an important topic to many people. Water is very important to the daily life of a human being. Water is an integral part of most items we purchase and consume each day. This includes the various foods and drinks. Quality drinking water is important to human health and the general well-being. Water is also used throughout our homes for purposes of cooking, bathing, cleaning, laundry, watering plants and a many other purposes. There are many human and natural influences on water quality. Geological, climatic and hydrological effects are some of the far-reaching natural influences on water quality (Bartram et al., 1996). They are able to affect both the quantity and quality of available water. For example coastal and arid areas tend to cause high water salinity. Even though salinated water can be treated, financial and technical resources are often limited. Since water quantity is low and we need to put water to maximum use, the influence of these factors are great. Human activities also have a high influence on water quality. Water pollution due to human as well as industrial activities have led to some devastating effects on the whole ecosystem. Developing countries are struggling with intestinal diseases while the developed ones face eutrophication. It is clear that although there may be an adequate supply of water, the unsuitable quality of this water is likely to limit its use. Therefore, we should avoid engaging in activities that pose a challenge to water quality. The hypothesis that guided this study is that Sharjah tap water has less than 500ml/L TDS. Objectives Statement The purpose of the current study is to ascertain the quality of tap water found within Sharjah by determining its TDS levels and comparing it with other water sources. Methods An alternative hypothesis (Ha) guided this study. The alternative hypothesis suggests that a sample observation is influenced by a non-random cause (Davies, 1987). Our alternative hypothesis was that Sharjah tap water has less than 500ml/L TDS. Our independent variable in this case was Sharjah while the depended variable was the level of TDS in tap water. With the appropriate test statistic (which is the mean of the sample in this case), we were able to find a value that confirmed our initial hypothesis. The decision rule was that if the computed value of TDS for Sharjah will be more than 500 mg/L, we will reject the alternative hypothesis. However, if the value of TDS will be exactly 500 mg/L or less, then we will accept the alternative hypothesis. After undertaking our calculations and obtaining a value of 372.4 mg/L, we were able to accept the alternative hypothesis. Results and Discussion Having collected samples from various sources, we set out to establish the level of TDS from each source. TDS Averages (Mean) The averages of TDS levels for various water sources are presented in the table below. Water Source Average TDS Sharjah Tap 372.4 Dubai Tap 137.4 AUS Tap 559.3 Bottled Water 96 Table 1. TDS Averages for Various Water Sources. Bar Graph Representation of Average TDS Levels After calculating the various means, the figure below represents these means plotted against each other. Figure 1. TDS Means for Various Water Sources. From the above descriptive analysis, we can draw a number of inferences. The bottled water that we sampled contained the least amount of TDS, meaning that it is the safest for drinking. However, this does not necessarily mean that bottled water is safer for drinking than tap water. When the National Research Defense Council (NRDC) commissioned a four-year review of bottled water industry, a staggering 25% was just tap water. As a result, there is no guarantee that just because water comes out of a bottle it is safer for drinking. Australian tap water is the least safe for drinking as shown from the above figures, having a TDS level of 559.3 mg/L. However, Sharjah has a TDS level of 372.4 mg/L which confirms our earlier hypothesis that Sharjah tap water has less than 500 ml/L TDS. This is to say that Sharjah tap water is safe for human consumption since the TDS levels are within the limits of WHO guidelines. I will thus feel comfortable drinking Sharjah’s tap water. Conclusion Water quality is critical to all of us. TDS levels should me maintained at acceptable levels. Failure to control the TDS levels in water is likely to cause a disruption to the ecosystem. Humanity, which also contributes to water pollution through TDS is at a greater risk of extinction if the problem of TDS is not managed. From the results of the experiment we conducted, we can say with confidence that tap water at Sharjah is relatively safe for drinking. Considering the small sample size used, we cannot rule this as the ultimate truth. Further studies with bigger sample sizes need to be undertaken so that we can generalize the findings with much conviction. Additionally, measures should be put in place to lower the current TDS levels, hence making tap water even safer for drinking. References Bartram, J., Ballance, R., United Nations Environment Programme., & World Health Organization. (1996). Water Quality Monitoring: A Practical Guide to the Design and Implementation of Freshwater Quality Studies and Monitoring Programmes. London: E & FN Spon. Davies, R. B. (1987). Hypothesis Testing when a Nuisance Parameter is Present only Under the Alternative. Biometrika, 74 (1), 33-43. WHO. (2008). Guideline for Drinking: Water Quality. Incorporating 1st and 2nd Addenda, Recommendations. Retrieved December 5, 2015, from http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/fulltext.pdf Read More