TYPES OF WATER TESTING

pH testing

 pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity

of water. pH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14. 7 is considered neutral. Pure water has a pH of 7. Measurements below 7 are acidic. Those above 7 are alkaline.

EC test (Electrical Conductivity)

 Electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of

water's ability to conduct an electrical current. Salty water conducts electricity more readily than fresh water, so electrical conductivity is commonly used to measure salinity.

Temperature

 Temperature is measured to find out how

hot or cold a body of water is. Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (C). A normal thermometer is used.

Turbidity

 Turbidity refers to the amount of

suspended and dissolved matter that can give water a cloudy appearance. Suspended matter can be particles of clay, silt, sand, algae or other substances. Turbidity is measured in NTUs (an international unit of measurement)

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

 Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the oxygen that

has dissolved into the water. Dissolved oxygen should not be confused with the oxygen atoms in water molecules (the O in H2O). DO is measured in percentage per million or parts per million (ppm).

Laboratory Testing
Here are some basic information about six
laboratory tests.

1. Metals
Testing for heavy metals,
for example, mercury and lead. Heavy metals accumulate in your body and cause health problems.

2. Pesticides
Testing for pesticides
such as deildren (DDT). Pesticides in water may affect plant growth and fish health.

3. Nutrients
Testing for phosphorus
and nitrogen in high levels. Nutrients are usually related to agricultural activities upstream. The presence of nutrients is often a sign of the growth ofalgal blooms.

4. Hydrocarbons
Testing for hydrocarbons such
as oil or grease. The presence of hydrocarbons can be a result of surface runoff from highways and roads. It can also indicate if the surrounding soil, or even the groundwater, is contaminated.

5. Biological
Testing for the presence of
certain organisms to give an indication of water health. These organisms are also known as biological indicators. If we find a known organism that can only survive in a certain pH or cannot tolerate certain levels of DO, then that tells us the water quality without further testing.

6. Bacteriological
Testing for bacteria. Bacteria are
extremely small and can cause problems to human health - if they do, they are known as pathogens. The water is filtered and then the filter is incubated to allow for colonisation and final identification.