WATER QUALITY INDICATORS

Colorado River Watch Network (CRWN) volunteers test for several

key water quality indicators. The resulting water quality data provide
baseline information, helps identify trends or changes in water quality,
and aids investigations into problems such as nonpoint-source
pollution and nutrient enrichment.

LCRA professional monitors conduct similar tests when they evaluate water quality. The testing provides
data to LCRA, providing an early warning system for potential water pollution. For detailed information
on water quality tests conducted by CRWN volunteers, see the CRWN Water Quality Monitoring Manual.

These are the key water-quality indicators:

Dissolved oxygen (DO)

The DO test measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. Oxygen is essential for both plants
and animals, but high levels in water can be harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms. Nonpoint-
source pollution can decrease the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, which can be harmful to fish
and other aquatic organisms. The decomposition of leaf litter, grass clippings, sewage and runoff from
feedlots decreases DO readings. Dissolved oxygen is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Expected
levels: 4.0 to 12.0 mg/L

Water temperature

Aquatic organisms are dependent on certain temperature ranges for optimal health. Temperature
affects many other parameters in water, including dissolved oxygen, types of plants and animals present
and the susceptibility of organisms to parasites, pollution and disease. Causes of temperature change in
water include weather conditions, shade and discharges from urban sources or groundwater inflows.
Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C). Seasonal trends: May to October: 22 to 35°C,
November to April: 2 to 27°C

pH

A pH test measures the alkalinity or acidity of water. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is
basic or alkaline. Acid rain, from auto exhaust or other pollutants, causes a drop in the pH. Pollution
from accidental spills, agricultural runoff and sewer overflows can also change the pH. Buffering capacity
is water's ability to resist changes in pH, and is critical to the survival of aquatic life. The limestone soils
of Central Texas act to neutralize these acids and often result in a more basic pH. While young fish and
insect larvae are sensitive to a low pH (acid), extreme values on either end of the scale can be lethal to
most organisms. Expected levels: 6.5 to 9.0
Escherichia coli (E. coli)

E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria that comes from human and animal waste. The Environmental
Protection Agency uses E. coli measurements to determine whether fresh water is safe for recreation.
Disease-causing bacteria, viruses and protozoans may be present in water that has elevated levels of E.
coli. Levels of E. coli can increase during flooding. E. coli is measured in number of colony forming units.
The EPA water quality standard for E. coli bacteria is 394 colony forming units per 100 mL.

Specific conductance

The specific conductance test measures the ability of water to pass an electrical current. Conductivity in
water is affected by inorganic dissolved solids such as chloride, sulfate, sodium, calcium and others.
Conductivity in streams and rivers is affected by the geology of the area through which the water flows.
Streams that run through granite bedrock will have lower conductivity, and those that flow through
limestone and clay will have higher conductivity. High conductance readings also can come from
industrial pollution or urban runoff, such as water flowing from streets, buildings and parking lots.
Extended dry periods and low flow conditions also contribute to higher conductance. Organic
compounds, such as oil, do not conduct electrical current very well, so an oil spill tends to lower the
conductivity of the water. Temperature also affects conductivity; warm water has a higher conductivity.
Specific conductance is measured in microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm). Expected levels: 300 to 700
µS/cm in most of the Colorado River watershed; higher near San Saba and the coast.

Nitrates

Nitrogen is a nutrient necessary for growth of all living organisms. The CRWN nitrogen tests measure
nitrate (NO3-N). Excessive amounts of nitrates increase algae growth. Algae can rob the water of
dissolved oxygen and eventually kill fish and other aquatic life. Sources of nitrates may include human
and animal wastes, industrial pollutants and nonpoint-source runoff from heavily fertilized croplands
and lawns. Under certain conditions, high levels of nitrates (10 mg/L or more) in drinking water can be
toxic to humans. High levels of nitrates in drinking water have been linked to serious illness and even
death in infants. Nitrates are measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Expected levels: less than 1.0mg/L.

Transparency

Transparency measures how far light can penetrate a body of water. Sunlight provides the energy for
photosynthesis and determines the depth at which algae and other plants can grow, defining the
ecological make-up of a water body. A change in water clarity may be noticed after heavy rains, as silt
and debris can run off, causing the visibility to decrease. Transparency usually decreases in the summer
when plankton, silt and organic matter are more likely to be prevalent. CRWN uses Secchi disks and
transparency tubes to measure transparency.

Visual tests

Monitors also record physical observations of water. Volunteers record water clarity and presence of
plants and other aquatic life. They also may report the amount of rainfall received in the area.
Water quality indicators. Retrieved November 18, 2019 from
https://www.lcra.org/water/quality/colorado-river-watch-network/Pages/water-quality-indicators.aspx

Laboratory Services

Water quality is essential to many different industries and activities in Australia. Our specialists (based in
Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne) assess the health of the water and carry out regular tests to
determine and maintain its quality, in order to ensure successful production and the sustenance of flora
and fauna life.

Water testing - laboratory analysis

ADE’s Testing Capabilities

Water samples collected by ADE consultants are taken back to our own in-house laboratory for testing.
ADE’s Sydney Laboratory Services is NATA accredited for the majority of chemical tests commonly
required for water quality assessments. For full scope of NATA acredited test methods check the NATA
scope accreditation.

The ADE Environmental Laboratory is

operational 24 hrs 7 days a week and is equipped
with the latest range of analytical instruments
and scientific equipment. This in-house laboratory
service ensures that ADE is capable of responding
to urgent situations,
when required.

Commonly conducted water quality tests include:

Temperature testing

Testing the temperature helps determine the rate of

biochemical reaction in an aquatic environment and indeed
whether they are able to occur at all. If the water temperature
is too elevated, this can limit the water’s ability to hold oxygen and decrease organisms’ capacity to
resist particular pollutants.
pH testing

Measures the acidity of water. Most aquatic organisms are only able to survive within a pH range of 6 to
8.

Chloride test

Chloride is usually present in fresh and salt water. However, its levels can be exacerbated as a result of
minerals dissolving and industrial pollution

Salinity testing

Measures the total of all non-carbonate salts dissolved in water. Measuring groundwater salinity
indicates how salty your topsoil may become if the watertable rises.

Dissolved Oxygen Test

Measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in water. Without this, aquatic life is unable to conduct
cellular respiration and is thus a key indicator of water health.

Turbidity test

Measures the amount of particulate matter that is suspended in the water, or more simply, how clear
the water is. If high levels of turbidity are present, photosynthesis is affected as light is unable to
penetrate, increasing water temperature.

Nitrate and Phosphate

The presence of these essential nutrients is a good indicator of strong plant life. However, the addition
of artificial nitrates and phosphates through detergents, fertilisers or sewage can be harmful and result
in eutrophication, generally in the form of unwanted algal blooms.

Pesticides

We measure whether any pesticides are present and their concentration levels.
Redox

The measurement of the reduction-oxidisation potential of a solution, which indicates the electron
activity. Micro-organism growth is highly dependent on these levels.

Electrical conductivity

Estimates the total amount of solids dissolved in the water. This can be a good indicator of the level of
salinity.

Metals

Testing that indicates the presence of a suite of metals which are not naturally occurring in water. Heavy
metals (Aluminium, Antimony, Arsenic, Beryllium, Bismuth, Copper, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Nickel,
Uranium, Tin, Vanadium and Zinc) can find their way into water bodies through natural processes or
human activities such as mining, processing of minerals, use of metals as containers and transportation
through metallic pipelines. Heavy metals are known to harm kidneys, liver, nervous system and bone
structure.

Lead poisoning in humans can cause problems in synthesis of haemoglobin, kidneys, gastrointestinal
tract, joints and reproductive systems and acute or chronic damage to the nervous system. Lead can
also cause osteoporosis and weaken bones because it starts replacing Calcium in the bones.

Long-term exposure of cadmium leads to renal dysfunction. High exposure can least to lung cancer and
osteodystrophy. Nickel has numerous reported mechanisms of toxicity including redox – cycling and
inhibition of DNA repair as well as exhibiting allergic effects.

Exposure to mercury can lead to tremors, gingivitis and other psychological changes with spontaneous
absorption and congenital malformation. Mono methyl mercury causes damage to the brain and the
central nervous system, congenital malformations and development changes in young children.
Vanadium has toxic effects on the liver, kidney, nervous and cardiovascular systems and blood forming
organs.

Other tests
Petroleum hydrocarbons (TRH), Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (BTEX) and Poly Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs, including benzo (a) pyrene)

The state of the water can change frequently as a result of:

Soil entering the water through events such as erosion, land clearing and overgrazing.

Chemicals entering the water through fertilisers, pesticides and leeching

Pollution entering the water from the refuse of factories, sewage systems, mines and service stations

Rubbish disposal (both small scale and from landfill)

Regular water testing can be helpful over a long period of time to monitor any changes that occur in
water quality. If this occurs, it is essential that the monitoring occurs at fixed intervals from the same
point. However, it can also be a good idea to conduct water testing in response to an unexpected event
such as a chemical spill.

Retrieved Noverber 18, 2019 from https://ade.group/laboratory-analysis-water-testing/