WATER QUALITY INDEX (WQI)

Water is a crucial component of the environment; but surface water and groundwater quality
have long been deteriorating due to both natural and human-related activities. Natural factors that
influence water quality are hydrological, atmospheric, climatic, topographical and lithological
factors. Examples of anthropogenic activities that adversely affect water quality are
mining, livestock farming, production and disposal of waste (industrial, municipal and
agricultural), increased sediment run-off or soil erosion due to land-use change and heavy
metal pollution.
In recent times, developing countries have faced significant problems in protecting water quality
when trying to improve water supply and sanitation. Even developed nations have been fighting
to maintain or improve the status of their water quality in the face of problems such as nutrient
enrichment and eutrophication of water resources and the provision of water and wastewater
services to increasing populations.
Management of water quality requires the collection and analysis of large water quality datasets
that can be difficult to evaluate and synthesis. A range of tools have been developed to evaluate
water quality data; the Water Quality Index (WQI) model is one such tool. They are attractive to
water management/supply agencies as they are relatively easy to use and convert complex water
quality datasets into a single value measure of water quality that is easy to understand.
A Water Quality Index (WQI) is a tool that summarizes large amounts of water quality
data into a single number or score. The WQI is used to evaluate the quality of water bodies
for a variety of uses, such as drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and habitat for aquatic
life.
Four components for measuring WQI:
A WQI typically comprises four processes or components.
 First, the water quality parameters of interest are selected.
 Second, the water quality data are read and for each water quality parameter the
concentrations are converted to a single-value dimensionless sub-index.
 Third, the weighting factor for each water quality parameter is determined and
 Fourth, a final single value water quality index is calculated by an aggregation function using
the sub-indices and weighting factors for all water quality parameters.
Many different WQI models have been developed with variations in model structure, the
parameters included and their associated weightings, and the methods used for sub-indexing and
aggregation. Water quality index (WQI) provides information about water quality in a single
value. WQI is commonly used for the detection and evaluation of water pollution and may
be defined as a reflection of composite influence of different quality parameters on the
overall quality of water.
Simple Water Quality Index (ISQA)
The simple water quality index is calculated based on measured
values for each of five parameters: Temperature, Biological Oxygen
Demand, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved Oxygen and
Conductivity.
ISQA is calculated as: ISQA = ITEMP * (IBOD + ITSS + IDO + ICOND). Where ITEMP, IBOD, ITSS, IDO, and
ICOND represent individual index terms with different weighting factors for each parameter.
ISQA varies from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating excellent water quality.
Water Temperature Index (ITEMP)
Fish and other organisms all have a preferred temperature range, and as temperature falls above
or below this range, the number of individuals decreases. Water temperature is also important for
its influence on water chemistry; warmer water can hold less dissolved oxygen.
The water temperature index varies from 0 to 1. The temperature index decreases from 1 for
every degree that water temperature is greater than 20°C.
Biological Oxygen Demand Index (IBOD)
Biological oxygen demand indicates how much oxygen is needed by bacteria to break down
organic matter in the water. A high BOD indicates a high amount of organic pollution in water,
which may be an indication of contamination by sewage or other waste.
IBOD reaches a high of 30 for BOD = 0 mg/L. For BOD values > 12 mg/L, IBOD = 0.
Total Suspended Solids Index (ITSS)
Total suspended solids are a measure of the mass of particles suspended in water, which can
come from erosion of land surfaces and be washed in from urban areas. These particles can
interfere with drinking water treatment and irrigation infrastructure and may contain
contaminants that pose a health risk.
ITSS reaches a high of 25 for TSS = 0 mg/L. For TSS values > 250 mg/L, ITSS =0.
Dissolved Oxygen Index (IDO)
Dissolved oxygen is a measure of oxygen available in water for fish and other organisms. Low
values can kill these organisms.
IDO reaches a high of 25 when dissolved oxygen > 10 mg/L. For DO values = 0 mg/L, IDO = 0.
Conductivity Index (ICOND)
Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to conduct electricity. It is related to the amount
of dissolved salt that is present in water. Water with a lot of salt can be dangerous to crops.
ICOND reaches a high of 20 when conductivity is 200 μS/cm (conductivity of drinking water). For
conductivity values greater than 4000 μS/cm, ICOND = 0.

WATER QUALITY CONTROL

What does water quality mean?
Water quality can be thought of as a data-backed statement of how balanced and functional a
waterbody is for its intended purpose – whether that’s recreation, drinking water, irrigation,
stormwater collection, or simply aesthetics. Water quality encompasses a myriad of data
measurements, sometimes referred to as key water health indicators. These comprise the
physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of a waterbody based on its usage, as well as
direct and indirect impacts on flora and fauna. It is the baseline that informs which water
management practices are implemented and how their successes are measured.
Water quality and its associated water health indicators help determine the:
 Health of ecosystems
 Extent of pollution
 Safety of human and animal contact
  Condition of drinking water
It’s influenced by three primary sources – the surrounding ecosystem, local geology (the
minerals, sediment, and porosity of the area’s geogenic factors) and human contributions (the
pollution, usage, impacts from rural development, and suspended sediment).
Why is water quality important?
Even beyond the biological necessity for water, balanced water quality is vital to the
performance of lakes, ponds, and stormwater systems. For example, certain species can only
flourish under excellent water quality conditions. Their presence – or lack thereof – can be a key
indicator of ecosystem health.
Other common needs for balanced water quality include:
1. Human Health: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 80% of
diseases are due to drinking contaminated water. Dedicated water quality monitoring and
management of the source water used in reservoirs helps ensure that drinking water is not
only free of contaminants, but also free of undesirable taste and odor compounds.
2. Wildlife Protection: Water quality monitoring helps identify pollutants and sources of
pollution, allowing stressors to aquatic life to be recognized and addressed.
3. Sustainability: Waterbodies that have been impacted by heavy urban development and
land usage may be negatively impacted, resulting in significant water quality
impairments. Monitoring and tailored management are effective tools to improve water
quality conditions and maintain a healthy ecosystem.
4. Public Safety: Diligent water monitoring and management protect public health by
ensuring that water is clean, functioning optimally, and safe from threats like toxic algae,
weeds that can entangle boat motors and swimmers, and flooding during heavy
rainstorms.

Key elements of water quality management

There are three major aspects to a water quality monitoring program…
Physical Monitoring:
This monitoring focuses on assessing the physical features of a waterbody through sensory
observation; that is, inspecting environmental properties that are detectable by the senses. This
refers to water flow, width, and depth. Physical indicators of water quality also include:
Color – Pure water is colorless. However, the presence of certain minerals in water can bring
about color in waterbodies. For example, an iron-rich body of water may be reddish-brown.
Green or blue water with an oily or “paint-like” appearance may indicate the presence of algae or
Harmful Algal Blooms that can produce dangerous and deadly toxins.
Turbidity – A turbid waterbody is one that is clouded due to the presence of solid and colloidal
suspensions. Turbidity measurements often indicate water quality conditions based on clarity and
calculated total suspended solids in the waterbody.
Temperature – Temperature describes how hot or cold a body of water is. Water temperature is
crucial in assessing water quality as it influences other physical, chemical, and biological
properties of a body of water.
Odor – Oftentimes, odors in lakes and ponds are due to various biological activities: the action of
microorganisms, decaying organic matter, algae, industrial activities, etc.
Chemical Monitoring:
Various chemical key water health indicators can also be tested and monitored. This approach is
key in identifying specific pollutants, determining sources of pollution, and formulating effective
solutions. Some of these key water health indicators include:
Dissolved Oxygen: Dissolved oxygen (DO) measures the amount of oxygen available to sustain
life in an aquatic ecosystem. Lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen may be due to excessive
algal growth and increased levels of organic waste decay. Low DO is a stressor to aquatic plants,
fish, and other aquatic species, while high DO supports a flourishing ecosystem.
PH – PH is the measure of hydrogen ion concentration in a body of water. The pH scale ranges
from 0-14. 7 is neutral, 0-3 is considered highly acidic, and 9-14 is highly alkaline. Ideally, water
pH should fall between 6.5-8.5.
Total Phosphorus and Nitrates – Phosphorus is counted as the limiting nutrient in aquatic
ecosystems, meaning it directly impacts the growth of algae and aquatic plants. Thus, it’s an
essential element in water quality monitoring. Nitrates are a form of nitrogen, which is an
essential element for aquatic plant and animal life. Nitrates promote plant growth and, in the
right levels, are beneficial to water. However, an excess of nitrates, along with phosphorus, can
be dangerous. Together, they may cause eutrophication (imbalanced nutrient levels) and raise
biological oxygen demand, decreasing the DO available for use in the aquatic ecosystem.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) – A measure of the solid materials suspended in water, including
silt, plankton, and industrial waste residue that can absorb light and inhibit plant growth. This
residue largely comes from stormwater runoff, sediment erosion, and nuisance algae growth.
Conductivity – Conductivity refers to the water’s ability to pass an electrical current and is
affected by its temperature: the warmer the water, the higher the conductivity. Fluctuating
conductivity rates can indicate that a discharge or other source of pollution has infiltrated the
waterbody.
Biological Monitoring:
This aspect of monitoring uses the health of the fauna and floras, such as macroinvertebrates,
present in the body of water as a measurement of water quality health. Generally,
macroinvertebrates have limited migration patterns and, as such, may be used to assess the health
of a local waterbody, as well as project the type and degree of pollution in an aquatic ecosystem.
Biological monitoring also assesses various biological matrices such as algal growth, fish
sampling, and invertebrate sampling.
Chlorophyll-a – This refers to a measure of the number of algae within a waterbody and can be
used to classify the trophic condition (biological activity) of it. Excess amounts can cause bad
odors, scum build-up, and low DO levels.
Pollution Sensitivity – Certain organisms can only inhabit unpolluted water due to their high
sensitivity to pollution, while others may survive well in polluted water. The numbers of each
group of macroinvertebrates indicate the health and purity of the water. The presence of large
numbers of pollution-sensitive organisms in a body of water is an indicator of water health. On
the other hand, large amounts of pollution-tolerant species and the absence of or minimal
presence of sensitive species suggest severe pollution.

Drinking Water Quality Standards

Drinking water should meet the following standards:
 Color, odor, and taste: Drinking water should be colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
 Clarity: Drinking water should be clear and transparent.
 Impurities: Drinking water should be free of suspended impurities and harmful
microorganisms.
 pH: The pH level of drinking water should be between 6.5 and 8.5, with 7 being the ideal
pH.
 Minerals and salts: Drinking water should contain some minerals and salts that are
necessary for the body.
 Dissolved gases: Drinking water should contain some dissolved gases to add taste.
Some other indicators of water quality include: dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, and
nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus).

International standards for drinking water

Irrigation water quality management
Irrigation water should meet certain quality standards, including:
 pH
The pH of irrigation water should be between 5.5 and 7.5. A pH below 7.0 is acidic, while a pH
above 7.0 is basic.
 Salinity
High salinity levels can make it harder for plants to absorb water.
 Hardness
High hardness levels can cause calcium and magnesium salts to precipitate in the irrigation
system.
 Alkalinity
Alkalinity measures the water's ability to resist pH changes. High alkalinity can cause calcium
and magnesium ions to form insoluble minerals, which can lead to sodium becoming the
dominant ion in solution.
 Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)
SAR estimates how likely sodium in the water is to stick to soil particles.
Other water quality standards include:
 BOD: 5–20 ppm
 Secchi disc visibility: 40–60 cm
 Carbon dioxide: 5–10 ppm
 Dissolved oxygen: Above 5 ppm for fish survival and growth