Water quality consists of characteristics. These are the radiological, chemical, biological, and physical parts that measure the status, or quality, of the water according to human need. The water quality indicators definition is whatever is being used to assess the condition of the water for whatever its purpose will be. As an example, water containing certain metals may not be suited for drinking; however, it may be just right for particular industrial purposes. Therefore, it can definitely be put to good use, but not for human consumption.
Several examples that make up the water quality indicators definition would be hydrocarbons, nutrients, metals, and industrial chemicals. Testing of water samples, especially for drinking water, is imperative. Water that is unsafe to drink, or unsanitary in any way, has been the cause of 3.1 of global deaths. Two million tons of garbage coming from various industries and farms are expelled into water supplies throughout the world each day. This is another essential reason why there must be an analysis of water quality parameters before the water is put to use in any way. Poorly sanitized or unsanitized water is one of the most typical reasons for water pollution in the world. 2.5 billion people globally are living in areas where sanitation is inadequate, 70% of whom are living in Asia.
Homeowners, especially those whose water comes from a well, should have their water tested from time to time. Even homes connected to their town or city water supply need to keep on top of what is in the water. Testing can be done by a professional, or can be done by the homeowner using water testing kits. Basic water testing kits, or water quality testing kits will test for bacteria, pH, hardness, lead, pesticides, and chlorine, among other elements. These tests can be found for purchase online or in most home improvement stores.
Homeowners can purchase water testing kits, as well as well water test kits. One test kit is available just to test water for bacteria. This kit is set up to test for E.coli and coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria is found in the waste of warm blooded animals, and even humans. In itself, it is not known to cause any harm; however, if it is found in the water, it could mean that there is some type of pathogen that does exist there. Water testing kits that test for bacteria will also test for nitrites and nitrates.
These kits can also be bought specifically to test for lead in the water supply. An old home that is connected to the town or city water supply should pointedly have lead testing done, especially if the owners do not know the age of the pipes leading from the street to the house through which their water travels. Older fixtures within the pipes can corrode, causing lead to filter into the water system. All it takes is the water sitting in lead pipes for a few hours in order for the lead to infiltrate the home’s water supply.
Chronic toxicity is the exposure to lead over long periods of time. Once lead is absorbed into the body, the body distributes it everywhere, the same as it disperses calcium, zinc, and iron. Therefore, lead will spread throughout the body, causing harm everywhere it goes. Lead is a natural type of metal that is usually found in the earth’s crust. Now, because of human actions, lead is found almost everywhere. Because of mining, manufacturing, and other human enterprises, water is tainted with lead coming from industrial plants and mines, in addition to other types of properties.
Included in the water quality indicators definition is temperature and dissolved oxygen. Water temperature is one of the most important ingredients in a water system, and it can affect dissolved oxygen levels. Oxygen’s solubility tends to decrease as the temperature of the water increases. A water quality indicators definition also includes the baseline information provided by the data that shows changes in water quality that could indicate that there may be a problem brewing. In addition to keeping records current, water testing serves as a kind of early warning system when it is suspected that there could be pollutants in the water.