Scribd
Upload
207 views3 pages

Water Quality Analysis Introduction

This document provides an introduction to water quality analysis. It defines water quality as the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water in relation to its suitability for designated uses like drinking, recreation, agriculture, and industry. Water quality analysis measures required parameters following standard methods to check if the water meets quality standards for its designated use. Proper water quality analysis is important for monitoring compliance with standards and regulations, and for ensuring water systems are working efficiently. The document outlines procedures for water quality analysis including selecting parameters and methods, sampling, labeling, preservation, and chain of custody.

Uploaded by

Hayna Marie Aguilar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
207 views3 pages

Water Quality Analysis Introduction

This document provides an introduction to water quality analysis. It defines water quality as the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water in relation to its suitability for designated uses like drinking, recreation, agriculture, and industry. Water quality analysis measures required parameters following standard methods to check if the water meets quality standards for its designated use. Proper water quality analysis is important for monitoring compliance with standards and regulations, and for ensuring water systems are working efficiently. The document outlines procedures for water quality analysis including selecting parameters and methods, sampling, labeling, preservation, and chain of custody.

Uploaded by

Hayna Marie Aguilar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Water quality analysis introduction

1. SCHOOL OF HYDRO-INFORMATICS ENGINEERING NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, AGARTALA


WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS : AN INTRODUCTIONWhat is Water Quality?Water Quality can be defined as
the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water, usually inrespect to its suitability for a
designated use.As we all know, water has many uses, such as for recreation, drinking, fisheries,
agriculture and industry.Each of these designated uses has different defined chemical, physical and
biological standards necessaryto support that use. For example, we expect higher standards for water
we drink and swim in compared tothat used in agriculture and industry.What is Water Quality Analysis?
Water quality standards are put in place to ensure the efficient use of water for a designated
purpose.Water quality analysis is to measure the required parameters of water, following standard
methods, tocheck whether they are in accordance with the standard.Why Water Quality Analysis is
required?Water quality analysis is required mainly for monitoring purpose. Some importance of such
assessmentincludes:1. To check whether the water quality is in compliance with the standards, and
hence, suitable or not for the designated use.2. To monitor the efficiency of a system, working for water
quality maintenance3. To check whether upgradation / change of an existing system is required and to
decide what changes should take place.4. To monitor whether water quality is in compliance with rules
and regulations.Water quality analysis is of extremely necessary in the sectors of:1. Public Health
(especially for drinking water)2. Industrial Use M.Tech. / Water Quality Laboratory / Handout – 01 /
Prepared by: Ritabrata Roy (ritroy@gmail.com)

2. Page 2 of 6Procedures of Water Quality AnalysisThe general flow of procedures for water quality
analysis is as follows: SELECTION OF PARAMETERS SELECTION OF METHODS PRECISION AND ACCURACY
OF METHOD SELECTED AS PER REQUIREMENT PROPER SAMPLING PROPER LABELING PRESERVATION
CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY PROCEDURES ANALYSIS REPORTINGSELECTION OF PARAMETERSThe parameters of
water quality are selected entirely according to the need for a specific use of that water.Some examples
are: Drinking Industries As per WHO/CPCB Standards As per specific requirement Irrigation Domestic
Consumption pH As per BIS Standards Conductivity Sodium & Potassium Water Bodies Nutrients As per
CPCB guidelines Specific compounds M.Tech. / Water Quality Laboratory / Handout – 01 / Prepared by:
Ritabrata Roy (ritroy@gmail.com)

3. Page 3 of 6 However, some of the most common parameters followed for checking potability and
industrial use in India are as follows: PARAMETERS Physical Inorganic / Toxic Metals Organic,
Bacteriological Biology Radioactive Chemical Nutrient & Elements Demand Temperature Copper Total
Coliform Phytoplankton Colour Hardness Chromium Zooplankton Alpha Emitter Faecal Coliform Odour
Calcium Cadmium BOD Beta Emitter Taste Magnesium Zinc COD Chloride Lead Phenols Turbidity
Sulphate Mercury Oil & Grease pH Fluoride Iron Pesticides Conductivity Alkalinity Manganese
NitrateTotal Dissolved Solids Nitrate Phosphate SELECTION OF METHODS The methods of water quality
analysis are selected according to the requirement. The factors playing key role for the selection of
methods are: (i) Volume and number of sample to be analyzed (ii) Cost of analysis (iii) Precision required
(iv) Promptness of the analysis as required PRECISION AND ACCURACY OF METHOD SELECTED AS PER
REQUIREMENT What precision and accuracy to be maintained against a particular method is selected
according to the need. The factors influencing this decision includes: (i) Cost (ii) Parameter (iii) Use
CHAIN–OF–CUSTODY PROCEDURES Properly designed and executed chain-of-custody forms will ensure
sample integrity from collection to data reporting. This includes the ability to trace possession and
handling of the sample from the time of collection through analysis and final disposition. This process is
referred to as “chain-of-custody” and is required to demonstrate sample control when the control when
the data are to be used for regulation or litigation. Where litigation is not involved, chain-of-custody
procedures are useful for routine control of samples. M.Tech. / Water Quality Laboratory / Handout – 01
/ Prepared by: Ritabrata Roy (ritroy@gmail.com)

4. Page 4 of 6A sample is considered to be under a person’s custody if it is in the individual’s physical


possession, in theindividual’s sight, secured and tamper-proofed by that individual, or secured in an area
restricted toauthorized personnel. The following procedures summarize the major aspects of chain-of-
custody:(i) Sample labels: Labels are used to prevent sample misidentification as well as to identify the
collector, if required. In other words, labeling ensures the responsibility and accountability of the
collector.(ii) Sample seals: Sample seals are used to detect unauthorized tampering with samples up to
the time of analysis. So, it is essential to seal a sample before leaving the custody of the collector.
Sealing must be done in such a way as one have break the seal to access the sample.(iii) Field log book:
Record all information pertinent to a field survey or sampling in a bound log Book is a good practice. At
least the following data should be in the log book: (a) Purpose of sampling (b) Location of sampling point
(c) Name and address of field contact (d) Producer of material being sampled and address, if different
from location (e) Type of sample (f) Method, date, and time of preservation.(iv) Sample analysis request
sheet: The sample analysis request sheet accompanies samples to the laboratory. The collector
completes the field portion of such a form that includes most of the pertinent information noted in the
log book. The laboratory portion of such a form is to be completed by laboratory personnel and
includes: name of person receiving the sample, laboratory sample number, date of sample receipt,
condition of each sample (i.e., if it is cold or warm, whether the container is full or not, color, if more
than one phase is present, etc.) and determinations to be performed.(v) Sample delivery to the
laboratory: Sample(s) should be delivered to laboratory as soon as practicable after collection, typically
within 2 days. Where shorter sample holding times are required, special arrangements must be made to
insure timely delivery to the laboratory. Where samples are shipped by a commercial carrier, the waybill
number to be included in the sample custody documentation. Samples must be accompanied by a
complete chain-of-custody record and a sample analysis request sheet.(vi) Receipt and logging of
sample: In the laboratory, the sample custodian inspects the condition and seal of the sample and
reconciles label information and seal against the chain-of-custody record before the sample is accepted
for analysis. After acceptance, the custodian assigns a laboratory number, logs sample in the laboratory
log book and/or computerized laboratory information management system, and stores it in a secured
storage room or cabinet or refrigerator at the specified temperature until it is assigned to an analyst.(vii)
Assignment of sample for analysis: The laboratory supervisor usually assigns the sample for analysis.
Once the sample is in the laboratory, the supervisor or analyst is responsible for its care and custody.
(viii) Disposal: Samples are held for the prescribed amount and duration for the project or until the data
have been reviewed and accepted. Samples are disposed usually after documentation. However,
disposal must be in accordance with local, state, and U.S. EPA approved methods. M.Tech. / Water
Quality Laboratory / Handout – 01 / Prepared by: Ritabrata Roy (ritroy@gmail.com)

5. Page 5 of 6PROPER SAMPLINGProper sampling is a vital condition for correct measurement of water
quality parameters. Even if advancedtechniques and sophisticated tools are used, the parameters can
give an incorrect image of the actualscenario due to improper sampling. The proper sampling should
fulfill the following criteria:1. Representative: The data must represent the wastewater or environment
being sampled. So, the following factors must be well planned for proper sampling: (i) Process of
Sampling (ii) Sampling size/volume (iii) Number of Sampling Locations (iv) Number of Samples (v) Type
of Samples (vi) Time Intervals During sampling, these factors must also be taken care of: (a) Choosing of
proper sampling container (b) Avoiding contamination (c) Ensure the personal safety of the collector2.
Reproducible: The data obtained must be reproducible by others following the same sampling and
analytical protocols.3. Defensible: Documentation must be available to validate the sampling
procedures. The data must have a known degree of accuracy and precision.4. Useful: The data can be
used to meet the objectives of the monitoring plan.PROPER LABELINGProper labeling prevents sample
misidentification and ensures the responsibility and accountability of thecollector. The sample container
should be labeled properly, preferably by attaching an appropriately inscribed tagor label. Alternatively,
the bottle can be labeled directly with a water-proof marker. Barcode labels are also
availablenowadays.Information on the sample container or the tag should include at least: (i) Sample
code number (identifying location) (ii) Date and time of sampling (iii) Source and type of sample (iv) Pre-
treatment or preservation carried out on the sample (v) Any special notes for the analyst (vi) Sampler’s
namePRESERVATIONThere is usually a delay between the collection and analysis of a sample. The nature
of the sample can be changedduring this period. Therefore proper preservation is required in the way to
laboratory after collection, and in thelaboratory upto when analysis starts. M.Tech. / Water Quality
Laboratory / Handout – 01 / Prepared by: Ritabrata Roy (ritroy@gmail.com)

6. Page 6 of 6Complete and unequivocal preservation of samples, whether domestic wastewater,


industrial wastes, or naturalwaters, is a practical impossibility because complete stability for every
constituent never can be achieved. At best,preservation techniques only retard chemical (especially,
hydrolysis of constituents) and biological changes thatinevitably continue after sample collection.No
single method of preservation is entirely satisfactory; the preservative is chosen with due regard to
thedeterminations to be made. Preservation methods are limited to pH control, chemical addition, the
use of amberand opaque bottles, refrigeration, filtration, and freezing.ANALYSISThe samples, after
reaching laboratory, are analyzed, according to the requisite parameters, followingstandard methods
and protocols.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy