|
Parameters |
Method |
Explanation |
|
CHEMISTRY |
|
pH
|
USEPA
150.1 |
pH is defined
mathematically as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the HO+
concentration. pH values are calculated in powers of 10. The hydrogen
ion concentration of a solution with a pH of 1.0 is 10 greater than a
solution with a pH of 2.0. The greater the hydrogen ion concentration,
the smaller the pH; when the pH is above 7, the solution is basic
(alkaline), and when it is below 7, the solution is acidic.
pH is calculated
between the ranges of 0-14. 14 being the most alkaline and 1 being the
most acidic. |
|
BOD5
at 20 oC |
USEPA
405.1 |
|
|
COD |
USEPA 410 |
Chemical Oxygen Demand is a vital
test for assessing the quality of effluents and waste waters
prior to discharge. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) test
predicts the oxygen requirement of the effluent and is used
for monitoring and control of discharges, and for assessing
treatment plant performance. The impact of an effluent on the
receiving water is predicted by its oxygen demand. This is
because the removal of oxygen from the natural water reduces
its ability to sustain aquatic life. The COD test is therefore
performed as routine in laboratories of water utilities and
industrial companies. |
|
TSS |
USEPA
160.2 |
|
|
TDS |
USEPA
160.1 |
|
|
Oil &
Grease |
USEPA
413.1 |
|
|
Phenol
(total) |
USEPA
420.1 |
|
|
Chloride
|
USEPA
325.3 |
|
|
Fluoride
|
USEPA
340.1 |
Fluoride occurs naturally in some
ground waters and is naturally introduced into drinking water
for the prevention of tooth decay. Excessive amounts of
fluoride are however objectionable and can cause tooth discoloration.
Whereas lower amounts can cause oral problems, especially in
young children. |
|
Sulfate |
USEPA
375.4 |
|
|
Total
Hardness |
USEPA
2340B |
Water hardness is caused by the
presence of calcium and magnesium salts. High levels of hardness
prevent the formation of lather with soap and can cause scaling
in water systems - particularly boilers, heat exchangers and
steam generating plant. Hardness is an important control in a
wide variety of applications. |
|
Sulfide
|
USEPA
376.1 |
|
|
Nitrate |
SMEW 4500 |
Nitrates are normally present in
natural, drinking and waste waters. Nitrates enter water
supplies from the breakdown of natural vegetation, the use of
chemical fertilizers in modern agriculture and from the
oxidation of nitrogen compounds in sewage effluents and
industrial wastes. Nitrate is an important control test for
water supplies. Drinking water containing excessive amounts of
nitrates can cause methaemoglobinaemia in bottle-fed infants
(blue babies). |
|
Ammonia |
USEPA
350.2 |
|
|
Cyanide
|
USEPA
335.2 |
|
|
Cadmium
|
USEPA
200.8 |
|
|
Copper
|
SMEW
3500-Cu |
|
|
Lead
|
SMEW
3500-Pb |
|
|
Chromium
|
SMEW
3500-Cr |
|
|
Mercury
|
USEPA
200.8 |
|
|
Nickel
|
USEPA
200.8 |
|
|
Zinc
|
SMEW-Zn |
|
|
Barium
|
SMEW
3500-Ba |
|
|
Iron
|
SMEW
3500-Fe |
|
|
Manganese
|
SMEW
300-Mn |
|
|
Temperature |
SMEW 2550 |
a. The
degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment. b. A measure of
the average kinetic energy of the particles in a sample of matter,
expressed in terms of units or degrees designated on a standard scale. |
|
Boron
|
SMEW
4500-B |
|
|
MICROBIOLOGY |
|
MPN of Coliform bacteria |
SMEW 9221B |
Most probable number
(MPN) is an index of the number of coliform bacteria*
that, more probably than any other number, would give the results shown
by the laboratory examination. MPN is determined from the distribution
of gas-positive cultures among multiple inoculated tubes. |
|
Fecal Coliform Presence |
SMEW 9221 E |
Aerobic
bacteria
found in
the colon or faeces, often used as indicators of faecal contamination of
water supplies |
|
Fungal Presence |
SMEW 9610 |
|
|
Heterotrophic Plate Count |
SMEW 921 |
The
heterotrophic plate count (HPC), formerly known as the standard plate
count is a procedure for estimating the number of live heterotrophic
bacteria* in water. The bacteria grow in the form of colonies, known
as colony forming units (CFU) which are then counted to estimate the
amount of bacteria present in the sample. |
|
Enterococci Presence |
SMEW 9230 |
|
|
E.Coli Presence |
USEPA 9223 |
|
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