Water Testing Background Info

Brainstorm: How does water become contaminated? What are potential sources for contamination of water? How does human activity impact water quality?

What happens as water runs off? As it flows across: Mountain/forest land Farmland Yards/golf courses Driveways, streets, and washes The desert

What human activities may impact runoff? Industry Mining (metals, chemicals) Semiconductor industry (water from cooling devices, metals) Nuclear power (water for cooling) Corrosion from plumbing Water from industry use should be treated before being released to the ground

What human activities may impact runoff? Agriculture Animal farms (egg ranches, dairy, cattle ranches) fertilizer, animal waste Water from agriculture use not usually treated

What human activities may impact runoff? Home, Recreation Golf course (fertilizers) Water parks (human waste) Home (sewage) Car washing Rain water in cities (gutters on the roads) Garbage dumps / landfills Paint, pesticides, litter, chemical fertilizers

Water Will have Contaminants Contaminants will have to be removed or treated Some will be visible to the naked eye: Sediment Large particles like tree branches, twigs, animal carcass Smaller particles leaves, grass, animal waste Particles not visible: dissolved in the water

Contaminants we will test for … Source Effect on health Nitrate* nitrogen Runoff from fertilizer Infants (< 6 mo.) May become seriously ill/ die

Contaminants we will test for … Source Effect on health Nitrate* nitrogen Runoff from fertilizer Infants (< 6 mo.) May become seriously ill/ die Phosphate* phosphorous Sewage; Runoff from agriculture sites; lawn fertilizers Severe exposure: kidney weakened

Contaminants we will test for … Source Effect on health Nitrate* nitrogen Runoff from fertilizer Infants (< 6 mo.) May become seriously ill/ die Phosphate* phosphorous Sewage; Runoff from agriculture sites; lawn fertilizers Severe exposure: kidney weakened pH (acidity vs alkalinity)* Acid (low pH) Alkalinity, limestone (high pH) Low pH: Bitter metallic taste

Contaminants we will test for … Source Effect on health Nitrate* nitrogen Runoff from fertilizer Infants (< 6 mo.) May become seriously ill/ die Phosphate* phosphorous Sewage; Runoff from agriculture sites; lawn fertilizers Severe exposure: kidney weakened pH (acidity vs alkalinity)* Acid (low pH) Alkalinity, limestone (high pH) Low pH: Bitter metallic taste

Source Effect on health Other Examples Contaminant Source Effect on health Iron Naturally occurring Corrosion of plumbing Metallic taste Not hazardous to health Cyanide By-product from plastic, fertilizer, or steel factories Nerve damage Ammonia nitrogen Livestock urine, manure Decreased lung function, Cardiovascular ailments Chlorine Additive to control microbes/bacteria Eye and nose irritant

Making Sense of Nitrate results If your result is: Rank the results: 5 ppm (fair) 20 ppm (poor) 40 ppm Think of ppm(parts per million) as a ratio: 5:1 million 20:1 million 40: 1 million

Making Sense of phosphate results If your result is: Rank the results: 1 ppm (excellent) 2 ppm (good) 4 ppm (fair) Think of ppm(parts per million) as a ratio: 1: 1 million 2: 1 million 4: 1 million

Making Sense of pH results If your result is: Rank the results: 4 (acidic) (poor) 5 6 (good) 7 (excellent) 8 9 10 (basic)

Making Sense of Dissolved Oxygen (O2) results If your result is: Rank the results: 91-110% saturation (excellent) 71-90% saturation (good) 51-70% saturation (fair) < 50% saturation (poor)

You will test water samples for: pH Nitrate Phosphate Dissolved Oxygen*

Dissolved Oxygen All aquatic animals need oxygen to survive. Water with high DO (dissolved oxygen) levels are most healthy for the animals. Bacteria from sewage pollution can cause DO to decrease.

Brainpop – Water Pollution