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| ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Basic Water Quality Tests |
¡ñ Total Coliform
¡ñ Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC)
¡ñ pH
¡ñ Chloride
¡ñ Hardness
¡ñ Nitrate Nitrogen
¡ñ Nitrite Nitrogen
¡ñ Iron
¡ñ Manganese
¡ñ Sodium
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Coliform are naturally present in the environment Fecal Coliforms and E.coli only come from human and animal fecal waste as well as faces. Total Coliform is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present. The EPA maximum contaminant level allowed in drinking water for Total Coliform is zeto per 100ml of water volume. If the result of Total Coliform is present in any drinking water, Fecal Coliform and E. coli must be analyzed immediately. The maximum contaminant level allowed in drinking water for Fecal Coliform and E. coli are zero per 100ml of water sample. The presence of any Fecal Coliform or E. coli bacteria indicates that water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Disease-causing microbes (pathogens) in these waters can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. These pathogens may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and others |
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Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) is an indicator bacteria usually to be used in drinking water monitoring test to measure the variety of bacteria that are common in water. The lower concentration of HPC bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system is. Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) bacteria has no health effects in low concentration. The recommended limit for Heterotrophic Plate Count is less than 500 Colony Forming Unit (CFU) per milliliter. |
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The measurement of pH is one of the most important and frequently used test in water quality tests. The allowed standard of pH for drinking water is between 6.5-8.5 S.U. The low pH in drinking water can cause bitter metallic taste and corrosion. The high pH can cause slippery feel and deposits. |
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Chloride is one if the major inorganic anions in water. The salty taste produced by chloride is variable and dependent on chemical composition of water.The maximum contaminant level allowed for chloride in drinking water is 250 mg/L. Some waters containing 250 mg/L of Chloride may have a detectable salty taste if the cation is sodium. On the other hand, the typical salty taste may be absent in waters containing as much as 1000 mg/L when the predominant cations are calcium and magnesium. Along the sea coast, chloride may be present in high concentration because of leakage of salty water into the sewerage system. It also may be increased by industrial processes |
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Nitrates and Nitrites may be found naturally in ground water. They come from the breakdown of nitrogen compounds in the soil. Flowing ground water picks them up from the soil. Although high nitrate levels are usually due to human activities such as septic tanks or large numbers of farm animals. These pollutants are found in human and animal wastes. Septic tanks can cause bacterial and nitrate pollution. Both septic systems and animal manures must be carefully managed to prevent pollution. Sanitary landfills and garbage dumps are also sources. Fertilizers can add to nitrate problems. Nitrates cause a health threat in very young infants called ¡°blue baby¡± syndrome. Rhis condition disrupts oxygen flow in the blood. Drinking large amounts of nitrates and nitrites is particularly threatening to infants (for example, when mixed in formula). The maximum contaminant level allowed for Nitrate Nitrogen is 10 mg/L and Nitrite Nitrogen is 1 mg/L. |
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Water Hardness is commonly used to be measured of the capacity of water to precipitate soap. Soap is precipitated chiefly by the calcium and magnesium ions present. Other polyvalent cations may also precipitate soap. |
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