1. Testing for Water Quality

2. pH
Why Test?
Changes in pH indicate the presence of contaminants
Comments
Healthy aquatic organisms prefer a pH range of
Less than 7 = Acidic
7 = Neutral
Greater than 7 = Basic

3. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Why Test? Comments
Low DO levels indicate wastes in the water; unhealthy
Comments
High DO indicates healthy, well-aerated water
Less than 3 ppm = bad for fish
5-6 ppm needed for growth of fish

4. Coliform Bacteria Why Test? Comments
If present, disease-causing organisms are probably there as well.
Comments
This is a key first test for water safety.
Not purple = presence of bacteria, bad

5. Nitrates Why test? Comments
High nitrates are harmful to humans; can cause eutrophication
Comments
Nitrates come from fertilizer, wastewater, and runoff (agricultural).
Less than 4 ppm = good
Greater than 40 ppm = unsafe to drink

6. Phosphates Why test? Comments
High phosphate levels cause eutrophication
Comments
Phosphates come from agricultural and lawn runoff and detergents.
Greater than 0.03 ppm will encourage algae growth

7. Total Alkalinity Why Test? Comments
Measures water’s ability to neutralize acids
Comments
Loss of buffering capacity can affect pH
ppm will stabilize pH

8. Total Hardness Why Test? Comments
Excess amounts of Calcium and Magnesium
Comments
Affects plant and animal growth rates, hard water can leave deposits and decrease soap suds
Levels ppm is medium range

9. Ammonia Why Test? Comments Comes from bacterial decomposition
Can be toxic to fish and is found in areas with a lot of decaying materials
Levels 5-10 ppm are too high

10. Chloride Why Test? Comments
Major component of water and sewage, gives a salty taste
Comments
Salt can affect plants and animal life
Drinking water should be less than 250 ppm

11. Chromium Why Test? Comments A toxic chemical from industrial waste
Can cause cancer in drinking water
Over 0.5 ppm is untreated waste water

12. Free & Total Chlorine Why Test? Comments
Only present in chlorinated water
(sterilized and disinfected water)
Comments
Swimming pools = 1 to 3 ppm
Drinking water = 0.5 ppm
Too high is fatal to plants and fish

13. Iron (II) Why Test? Comments Small amounts is natural
Acid mine drainage can increase levels
Comments
Greater than 0.2 ppm is generally unacceptable

14. Copper (I, II) Why Test? Comments Small amounts is natural
Industry or pipes can elevate levels
Comments
Greater than 1.0 ppm will give a bitter taste
Drinking water is usually below 0.03 ppm

15. Total Nitrite as Nitrogen
Why Test?
High nitrites are harmful to humans; can cause eutrophication
Comments
Greater than 1 ppm increased plant growth