Results

Concentration of water sample

Tap water Spencer water
Exp 1 Exp 2 Average Exp 1 Exp 2 Average
(mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
Nitrate (𝑁𝑂3− ) 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.4
Sulphate (𝑆𝑂42− ) 13 13 13 11 11 11
Chloride (𝐶𝑙 − ) 2.7 2.4 2.55 3.5 3.5 3.5

Observations
When reaction with chloride
Sample of water Observations
Deionized water(blank water) the colourless of water becomes pale yellow
Tap water the colourless of water becomes orangish
Spencer water the colourless of water becomes orangish

The maximum permissible limit of nitrate is 10mg/L in drinking water. Nitrate is a harmless
constituent of food and water in moderate amounts. Plants use nitrates from the soil to satisfy
nutrient requirements and might accumulate nitrate in their leaves and stems (Kendall, P. 1992).
When the permissible limit of nitrate is exceed to 50 mg/L in drinking water, it causes
methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome, a condition found especially in infants under six
months. The stomach acid of an infant is not as strong as in older children and adults. This
causes an increase in bacteria that can readily convert nitrate to nitrite (NO2) (J. R. Self. 1998).

The maximum permissible limit of chloride is 250 mg/L in drinking water. When the limit is
exceed 250 mg/L, it is not usually harmful to human health. Public drinking water standards
require chloride level not to exceed 250 mg/l. However, chloride can oxidize metals become
rusted and it affect the taste of food products. Chloride can contaminate fresh water streams and
lakes cause fish and aquatic communities cannot survive in high level of chlorides. Therefore,
water that is used in industry or proceeds for any use has a recommended maximum chloride
level (Hiebsch S, 1988).

The maximum contaminate level of sulphate is 250 mg/L. People and animals are not used to
drinking water with high levels of sulfate. It can involve dehydration and diarrhea. Kids are often
more sensitive to sulfate than adults. As a safety measure, water with a sulfate level exceeding
400 mg/l should not be used in the preparation of baby food. Older children and adults become
used to high sulfate levels after a few days. Animals are also sensitive to high levels of sulfate. In
young animals, high levels may cause severe, chronic diarrhea, and in some cases, death. As with
humans, animals tend to become used to sulfate over time. Sulfate gives a bitter or medicinal
taste to water if it exceeds a concentration of 250 mg/l. This might make it unpleasant to drink
the water. High sulfate levels might also causes plumbing in corrosive, particularly copper
piping. Therefore, is common to use plastic pipe as a corrosion resistant plumbing materials
(Brian. O, 2014).

 J. R. Self. (1998). Domestic Water Quality Criteria.

 Kendall, P. (1992). Drinking Water Quality.
 Hiebsch S (1988). The occurrence of thirty five pesticides in Canadian drinking water
and surface water. Ottawa, Canada: Department of National Healthand Welfare,
Evironmental Health Directorate.
 Brian, O (2014). Sulfate, Hydrogen Sulfide, Sulfate Reducing Bacteria - How to Identify
and Manage. Retrieved by https://www.water-research.net/index.php/sulfates