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QUALITY PARAMETR (PHYSICAL PARAMETER) UNIT 02 PART 03

1. Chemical Water - Pure water, combination of H+& OH- i.e. H2O
2. Portable water- does not contain harmful substance, fit for drinking.
3. Palatable water- Aesthetically good.
4. Wholesome water- Chemically not pure but doesn't contain harmful substance.
5. Polluted water- Water which conatin harmful substance but doesn't contain pathogens.
6. Contaminated water- Water which contain pathogens.

disease causing bacteria

7. Mineral water- Water contains minerals like ca/Fe/Mn.

Water quality Instrument used Information
parameter
1. Suspended solid gravimetric technique A/C to EPA
30 mg/L
Acceptable < 500
mg/L
2. Turbidity (i) Turbidity rod (absorption STU
A.L. = 1 NTU technique)
CFR = 5 NTU field method
(ii) Jackson turbidimeter (JTU) only applicable for >
Absorption technique 25 unit
(iii) Baylis turbidimeter can measure < 1 unit
(absorption technique)
(colour matching technique)
(iv) Nephelometer can measure

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(colour matching technique) turbidity < 1 unit

3. Colour Tintometer Unti TCU
A.L = 5 TCU
CFR = 15 TCU
4. Taste and odour Osmoscope Stardard unit TON
𝐀+𝐁
𝑨
A.L = 1 TON
CFR = 3 TON

❖ Quality of water (Testing of water) -

→ To know the extent of impurities present in water, based on this method and degree of treatment
is decided.
→ To ensure the quality of treated water before supply.

Impurities in water -
(i) Suspended impurities - 10-1 mm to 10-3 mm [𝟏𝟎𝟎𝝁𝐦 − 𝟏𝛍𝐦]
(ii) Colloidal impurities - 10-3 mm to 10-6 mm [𝟏𝝁𝐦 − 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝛍𝐦]
(iii) Dissolved impurities -10-6 mm to 10-8 mm [𝟏𝟎−𝟑 − 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝛍𝐦]

Based on nature of impurities :-

(i) Organic impurities -
It present in water, they promote growth of micro-organism hence objection.

(ii) Inorganic impurities -

If natural organic are harmless, but that induced by humans are hazandous.
Ex - cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead, zinc, mercury etc are toxic.

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State of matters -
(i) Physical impurities
(ii) Chemical impurities
(iii) Biological impurities

Physical Test
This test is carried out for the following physical characteristics :
1. Colour
2. Taste and odour
3. Turbidity
4. Temperature
5. Suspended solids

(i) Suspended Solid:

Source -
Inorganic particles like - silt, clay etc.
Organic particles like - plant fibre, algae.
Note - Inorganic solids are non-degradable solids.
Objection -
→ It effects psycology of consumer.
(Aesthetically displeasing)
→ Incrustration (It reduces discharge carrying capacity of pipes)
→ If effect the treatment of water
i.e. cost of treatment
efficiency of treatment
→ It provides adsorption sites for chemical and biological agents.

Measurements -

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→ Most of the methods are gravimetric i.e. suspended solids are calculated by weighing them.
→ Total solids (suspended or dissolved) are calculated by evaporatiup the sample and measuring the
residue and heating temp. is 104°C .
→ Suspended solid is obtained by filtration and heating the residue on filter at 104°C.
Dissolved solids (DS) = Total solid (TS) - Suspended solid (SS)

Note - The organic content of both total and dissolved solids can be determined by firing the residue at
600°C.

𝟔𝟎𝟎°𝑪
Organic fraction → CO2 + Water + Other gas
Remaining solids are inorganic solids or fixed solid.

Permissible limit :Suspended solid as per EPA (environmental protection agency) is 30 mg/litre.
Total dissolved solid (mg/L) Acceptable limit 500 mg/L

1. Colour- We have mentioned earlier that the coloured discharge from some industries impart colour
to water. This colour is undesirable in water is it may stain clothes and this water may be injurious to
human health if the colour comes from harmful chemicals.
The colour in water is measured by an instrument called Tintometer. The instrument consists of an eye-
piece having two holes. One hole is meant for looking a side of the standard coloured water and the
other hole is meant for looking a side of a water to be tested. The intensity of colour is measured in a
cobalt scale by comparing the two slides.
The unit of standard colour is produced by dissolving 1 mg of platinum-cobalt in one lit. of distilled
water. The unit of colour is expressed by a number as indicated in the cobalt scale. For potable water this
number should be less than 10.

2. Taste and Odour –

➢ The taste and odour in water may come due to the presence of strong smelling waste products
discharged from Industries.
➢ It may also be due to dead microorganisms and dissolved gases such as hydrogen sulphide,
methane and carbon dioxide etc.

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➢ The odour is generally expressed as fishy, earthy, grassy etc.

➢ It is measured by an instrument known as osmoscope which consists of a tube for inhaling the
odour of water to be tested by diluting it in odour-free water.
Then intensity of odour is expressed as Threshold number.
Such as, if 4 c.c. of water to be tested in diluted in 100 c.c. odour-free water and odour is detected,
then the threshold number is 4.
If 5 c.c. of water is diluted in 100 c.c. of odour-free water and odour is detected, then threshold
number is 5.
For portable water, the threshold number should not be more than 3.

3. Turbidity -
The colloidal matters like silt and clay impart turbidity to water. It is expressed as part per million (i.e.
ppm.). The permissible turbidity for potable water should be 5 to 10 ppm. The turbidity can be measured
by
(a) Turbidity rod - Field test
(b) Jackson Turbidimeter - Laboratory test
(c) Baylis Turbidimeter - Laboratory test

(a) Turbidity Rod - It consists of an aluminium rod which is

graduated. A graduated tape is provided on the top of the rod
for marking the position of eye. A hole is provided at the bottom
of the rod for inserting platinum needle as shown in Fig. 6.1. For
measuring the turbidity the rod is gradually lowered in water.
Then a position will come when the needle will just disappear
under standard light condition. The depth of water at this position
is noted from the bar. This reading gives the turbidity of water in ppm.

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(b) Jackson Turbidimeter - The instrument consists of a stand

made of wood or metal on which a container is provided with suitable
frame. Again, the container consists of a graduated glass tube.
A candle is placed below the stand as shown in Fig. The flame of
the candle is visible through the glass tube. Now, the water under test
is poured gradually and the image of the frame is observed. A time
comes when the flame disappears. Just at that moment the reading
on the glass tube is noted which indicates the turbidity in ppm.
This instrument is suitable for measuring the turbidity a 100 ppm.
(c) Baylis Turbidimeter - It consists of a metal box. On the left
side of the box two glass tubes are mounted vertically. The lower
ends of the tubes are surrounded by blue cobalt plates. On the
right side, of bulb (high power) is fitted on the base and reflector
is provided on the back as shown in Fig. One glass tube is
filled with water whose turbidity is to be measured and the other
tube is filled with standard solution of known turbidity. When
the bulb is lighted, the blue light is seen through the glass tubes
from top. If the colour intensity of the tubes differ, then another
tube with standard solution of known turbidity is inserted. In this
way, the tube with standard solution goes on changing until a stage
comes when the colour intensity from both the tubes are nearly same. Then the turbidity of the standard
solution is considered as the turbidity of the sample of water. This instrument is suitable for measuring
the turbidity below 5 ppm.

4. Temperature -
Practically, the temperature has no significance as no treatment can be given to control it. But it is seen
that the growth rate of bacteria is rapid at high temperature. So, the sample of water should be collected
at a temperature below 15°C. The temperature is observed by a thermometer by which the atmospheric
temperature is recorded. The temperature of potable water should be about 10°C to 25°C.

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