1. Water Testing Background Info

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

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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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)

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

18. 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.

19. Brainpop – Water Pollution