Follow us on Google+

Friday, March 15, 2013

Determining the quality of your water

Since water is such an important part of our lives, many people are becoming more and more concerned with using only the best for drinking and food preparation. Water quality is commonly defined by its physical, chemical, biological and aesthetic (appearance and smell) characteristics. Unfortunately, the water you drink daily may be causing you more harm than good.There are a number of problems that can affect the quality of the water you drink.




Possible contaminants in drinking water :
Biological Impurities: Bacteria, Viruses, and Parasites.
Microorganisms originating from human and animal faeces, or other sources, can cause waterborne diseases.

Organic Impurities: Tastes, and Odors
The likely cause for disagreeable tastes or odours comes from decaying vegetation or organic chemicals.

Inorganic Impurities: Dirt and Sediment, or Turbidity
Most water contains suspended particles of fine sand, clay, silt, and precipitated salts. Turbidity can be a source of food and lodging for bacteria and interfere with effective disinfection and purification of water.

Toxic Metals or Heavy Metals
The presence of toxic metals in drinking water is one of the greatest threats to human health. The major culprits include lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and silver.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds are the most prevalent chemicals found in drinking water.

Chlorine
Chlorine is part of the solution and part of the problem. In 1974 it was discovered that VOCs known as trihalome thanes (THMs) are formed when the chlorine added to water to kill bacteria and viruses reacts with other organic substances in the water.  Chlorinated water has been linked cancer, high blood pressure, and anemia.

Pesticides and Herbicides
The increased use of pesticides and herbicides can cause great harm and
has a profound effect on water quality.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Facebook like button

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...