"Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water based on the standards of its usage."
The degree to which water is free from contaminants and pollutants, and is safe for people and the environment.
Properties of Water: Introduction to chemical, physical, and biological properties of water which are important for understanding water quality.
Water Cycle: Understanding of the natural water cycle and how it can influence water quality.
Hydrology: Study of surface and subsurface water movement, groundwater interactions, flooding, and erosion.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors: Factors that influence water quality such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH and presence of organisms in the water.
Water Pollution: Study of the sources, types and effects of water pollution, including point sources, non-point sources, and diffuse sources.
Water Treatment: Study of methods and technologies used to treat water for human consumption and to remove contaminants.
Water Management: Understanding of water resource management, conservation, and allocation.
Legislative framework: Understanding water quality legislations and standards at local, national and international levels.
Watershed management: Understanding of watershed management approaches and measures.
Monitoring and analysis: Understanding how water quality is monitored and analysed, and different types of testing procedures used.
Physical Quality: Physical properties like color, turbidity, odor, temperature, and taste of water.
Chemical Quality: Chemical parameters like pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, and other pollutants.
Biological Quality: Presence and concentration of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Radiological Quality: Presence of radioactive elements in water.
Aesthetic Quality: The overall appearance, taste, and odor of water.
Thermal Quality: The temperature of water and its effect on aquatic life.
Dissolved Oxygen: The amount of oxygen available for aquatic life in water.
Conductivity: The level of electrical conductivity of water, which is an indicator of the presence of dissolved solid ions in the water.
Turbidity: The amount of suspended or colloidal material in the water, which affects its clarity.
Hardness: The concentration of dissolved minerals in the water, which affects the filtration and water treatment processes.
Total coliform: These are types of bacteria that indicate the presence of sewage or fecal contamination in water.
E. coli: A type of bacteria that is harmful when ingested and is often used as an indicator of fecal contamination in water.
Chlorine Residual: The amount of chlorine present in water, used as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and viruses.
Alkalinity: The amount of buffering capacity in the water, which affects its pH level and ability to neutralize acid.
Total Organic Carbon (TOC): The amount of organic material in water, which can cause color and odor issues and can affect water treatment processes.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS): The amount of solid particles suspended in the water, which can cause turbidity and affect water quality.
pH: The degree of acidity or basicity of water, which can affect aquatic life and corrosion of pipes.
Total Nitrogen (TN): The total amount of nitrogen present in water, including both organic and inorganic forms, which can contribute to eutrophication and algae growth.
Total Phosphorus (TP): The total amount of phosphorus present in water, which can also contribute to algae growth and eutrophication.
Total Dissolved Oxygen (TDO): The amount of oxygen dissolved in water, which is essential for aquatic life and can be affected by pollution and other factors.
"It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which compliance, generally achieved through treatment of the water, can be assessed."
"The most common standards used to monitor and assess water quality convey the health of ecosystems, safety of human contact, extent of water pollution and condition of drinking water."
"Water quality assessment determines the health of ecosystems, safety of human contact, extent of water pollution, and condition of drinking water."
"Water quality has a significant impact on water supply and oftentimes determines supply options."
"Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water."
"Compliance with water quality standards is generally achieved through treatment of the water."
"The health of ecosystems is assessed through monitoring and assessing water quality."
"Water quality assessment evaluates the safety of human contact with water."
"Water quality assessment assesses the extent of water pollution."
"The condition of drinking water is evaluated as part of water quality assessment, ensuring its safety."
"Monitoring and assessing water quality conveys the health of ecosystems, safety of human contact, extent of water pollution, and condition of drinking water."
"Water quality often determines supply options, indicating the suitability and safety of different sources."
"Chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water are considered in the assessment of water quality."
"Setting standards for water quality provides a reference against which compliance can be assessed."
"Compliance with water quality standards is generally achieved through treatment of the water."
"Water quality directly affects human health through the safety of contact and consumption."
"Assessing the condition of drinking water ensures its quality and safety for consumption."
"The health of ecosystems can be determined by assessing water quality."
"The extent of water pollution is assessed as part of water quality evaluation."