In this issue we delve into some of the major water quality parameters that are of interest. Starting with pH, which gives an indication of acidity or alkalinity of water. It is not advisable to drink water which is acidic or alkaline as it can have various health problems or be contaminated. Good quality water should be near neutral pH. Coliforms in water also indicate microbial contamination including at times faecal contamination. Turbidity also is amongst key water quality parameters as it indicates the clearness of water. Highly turbid waters are not health for consumption. There is also the conductivity which shows an indication of the extent to which water conducts electricity. in its natural form it conducts electricity, but conductivity can be increased by increased salt concentration. Concentration such as Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium is also not ideal as they can accelerate salinity of soils. Calcium and Magnesium also increase water hardness. Additional water parameters include Total Dissolved Solids and Total Suspended Solids. Good quality water has less of these solids. In recent year’s people have also started considering odour of the water and preference being to water without offensive odours. There is also a key parameter called Biological Oxygen Demand which gives an indication of the organic matter load in water. Heavy metals are also assessed such as lead and mercury, which should be prevented at all costs. Heavy metals are neurotoxic, to the extent of affecting the nervous systems of developing young children. Other heavy metals can have reproductive health effects.  Water temperature s also essential in order to prevent situations such as thermal inversion.

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