ABSTRACT SUMMARY: DETERMINATION OF

THE SOURCES OF DIFFERENT WATER

SAMPLES FROM TAPS, LAKES, CREEKS,
FLOODS AND SWIMMING POOLS WITH THE
HELP OF VARIOUS RESOURCES USED AS
REFERENCES MENTIONED AT THE END OF
THIS REPORT.

Water Quality & Ecological

Engineering
LAB REPORT - 1

ABRAR AL MAHMUD (6963614)

DIVYANSH KUMAR (6860709)
SAGAR KOIRALA (
Contents
AIM........................................................................................................................................................1
APPARATUS USED..................................................................................................................................1
RELEVANT THEORY................................................................................................................................1
1. Potential of Hydrogen................................................................................................................2
2. Conductivity...............................................................................................................................2
3. Turbidity....................................................................................................................................2
4. Colour........................................................................................................................................2
OBSERVATIONS......................................................................................................................................2
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS........................................................................................................................3
RESULT AND DISCUSSION......................................................................................................................3
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS......................................................................................................................5
ANSWER 1..........................................................................................................................................5
ANSWER 2..........................................................................................................................................5
ANSWER 3..........................................................................................................................................5
ANSWER 4..........................................................................................................................................6
ANSWER 5..........................................................................................................................................7
ANSWER 6..........................................................................................................................................7
ANSWER 7..........................................................................................................................................7
ANSWER 8..........................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................9
AIM: The aim of this experiment is to determine the sources of 5 water samples taken from River
(Creek), Swimming Pool, Salt water lake, Creek water receiving mining discharges and Tap water. 5
water quality parameters namely pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity and colour
were determined for each sample and then thoroughly analysed. Based on this analysis, the
different sources of water were then identified.

APPARATUS USED: OHAUS Starter 3100M pH/Conductivity meter, pH electrode, Angle

poise stand, Magnetic stirrer and follower, Beakers, Three buffers (pH=4, pH=7 and pH=10), Distilled
or deionised water, Conductivity electrode, Temperature probe, Standard potassium chloride
solution, HACH Model 2100N Laboratory Turbidimeter, Sample cells (30 mL) Formazin primary
standard turbidity suspensions, Soft cloth or lens-wipes, Shimaze UV-1800 UV Spectrophotometer
Colour standards 1,5,10,20,50,100 and 200.

RELEVANT THEORY: Since parameters like pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature,

Turbidity and colour were used to determine the different sources of water, let’s have a look at the
necessary definitions and the ranges of each of these parameters.

1. Potential of Hydrogen: Potential of Hydrogen widely referred to as pH in the scientific

community is a characteristic of a solution which helps us to determine the degree of acidity
or alkalinity of that solution. According to the ‘Quarterly Drinking Water Quality Report’ by
Sydney Water the pH of drinking tap water in Wollongong region was found to lie between
7.1 and 7.6 pH units (Quarterly Drinking Water Quality Report, 2020) . On the other hand pH of
lake water was observed to vary from 6 to 8.5 depending upon whether it is a freshwater
lake or a deep lake (pH of Water - Environmental Measurement Systems, 2020) but pH of water
tends to decline after floods as it increases the acidity in the water. pH of typical river water
in Australia lies somewhere between 7 and 7.5 pH units (pH of coastal waterways - OzCoasts,
2020) and the pH of swimming pool water was observed to lie between 7.2 and 7.6 (pH and
chlorine values swimming pool - Water quality pool, 2020).
2. Conductivity: Conductivity of a solution is the ability of that solution to conduct electric
current. It may also provide us with an estimation of the Total Dissolved Solids in that
solution. According to Sydney Water’s Quarterly report the average conductivity of tap
water in Wollongong region was observed to be 13.2 mS/m or 132 µS/cm at an average
temperature of 19.65 °C(Sydney Water Q3, 2020). After some research it was observed that the
conductivity of pure water should be less than 200 µS/cm whereas for major rivers the
conductivity lies between 200 µS/cm and 1000 µS/cm. The conductivity of saline water on the
other hand, lies in the range of 1000 to 10,000 µS/cm (enr gov, 2020).
3. Turbidity: Turbidity is defined as the ability of a solution to scatter light and is caused by
the suspended sediments or solids in that solution. According to the ‘Quarterly Drinking
Water Quality Report’ by Sydney Water the turbidity of tap water in Wollongong region was
found to lie between 0.08 and 0.14 NTU (Sydney Water Q3, 2020). In rivers with low water
flow the turbidity is usually less than 10 NTU (Turbidity and Water, 2020). However, during
rainstorms the turbidity of the water tends to increase as small sediments from surrounding
land are washed into the river (Turbidity and Water, 2020). In the lake Illawarra catchment, the
mean turbidity value was observed to be 1.71 NTU (WATER QUALITY IN THE LAKE ILLAWARRA
CATCHMENT, 2006). Lastly, the ideal turbidity range for swimming pool water was found out
to be 0-0.5 NTU (Hub and pools, 2020).
4. Colour: Color is one of the vital physical parameters of water. Before any domestic and at
times industrial applications, the color in water should be eliminated, if there’s any. Pure
 water doesn’t have any color. But due to decomposition of organic matters or metallic ions,
for instance, manganese or iron, surface waters are mostly colored. Color in water may vary
on suspended solids or different dissolved elements. While water that obtains a color from
organic matters generally is not considered to be a health issue; industrial waste colored-
water may need to go through color treatment process before dumping it into various water
sources, for example rivers, lakes or oceans.

Based on these values and ranges of pH, Conductivity, Turbidity and colour, the sources of different
water samples were later determined.

OBSERVATIONS:
Properties Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5
pH 7.19 8.12 7.89 8.41 8.48
Conductivity 171 2730 435 28300 758
(µS/cm)
Temperature 20.2 17.5 17 17 17.3
(°C)
Turbidity 1.05 0.454 11.7 5.30 52.0
(NTU)
Colour 0.001 0 0.051 0.023 0.106
(absorbance at
400 nm)

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS:
Sample Colour Unit (PCU) pH
W1 1 7.19
W2 0 8.12
W3 57.22 7.89
W4 26.11 8.41
W5 118.33 8.48
 Calibration curve
0.2
0.18
0.16
Absorbance at 400 nm

0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Color Unit

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

SAMPLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
W1 TAP WATER From the Sydney Water’s
quarterly water quality report
it was observed that the pH of
water in Illawarra lies
between 7.1 & 7.6 and the
colour was observed to be
less than 2 PCU(Quarterly
Drinking Water Quality Report,
2020). Therefore, it has been
concluded that this water
sample is Tap water.
W2 SWIMMING POOL Since the ideal turbidity of
swimming pool water was
found out to lie between 0 to
0.5 NTU and the ideal colour
for swimming pool water was
found out to be close to 0.
Therefore, it has been
concluded that the source of
this water is swimming pool.
 W3 CREEK WATER As discussed in the relevant
theory, the conductivity of
major rivers and creeks lies
between 200 to 1000 µS/cm.
Since the conductivity of this
sample is found out to be 435
µS/cm, it is concluded to be
creek water.

W4 LAKE WATER The conductivity of this

sample was found out to be
the maximum of all i.e: 28,300
µS/cm which is mainly due to
the high salt content in this
sample as discussed in the
relevant theory section.
W5 FLOOD WATER The observations from the
experiment illustrate that this
sample has the highest
turbidity of 52 NTU and
apparent colour of 118.33
which may be due to large
number of suspended solids
present in this sample as
discussed in the relevant
theory section.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:
ANSWER 1:

Calibration curve
0.2
0.18
0.16
Absorbance at 400 nm

0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Color Unit

ANSWER 2:
 Properties Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5
pH 7.19 8.12 7.89 8.41 8.48
Conductivity 171 2730 435 28300 758
(µS/cm)
Temperature 20.2 17.5 17 17 17.3
(°C)
Turbidity 1.05 0.454 11.7 5.30 52.0
(NTU)
Colour 0.001 0 0.051 0.023 0.106
(absorbance at
400 nm)

ANSWER 3:
SAMPLE SOURCE REMARK
W1 TAP WATER From the Sydney Water’s
Annual water quality report
it was observed that the pH
of water in Illawarra lies
between 7.1 & 7.6 and the
colour was observed to be
less than 2 PCU. Therefore,
it has been concluded that
this water sample is Tap
water.
W2 SWIMMING POOL Since the ideal turbidity of
swimming pool water was
found out to lie between 0
to 0.5 NTU and the ideal
colour for swimming pool
water was found out to be
close to 0. Therefore, it has
been concluded that the
source of this water is
swimming pool.
W3 CREEK WATER As discussed in the relevant
theory, the conductivity of
major rivers and creeks lies
between 200 to 1000
µS/cm. Since the conductivity
of this sample is found out to
be 435 µS/cm, it is concluded
to be creek water.
W4 LAKE WATER The conductivity of this
sample was found out to be
the maximum of all i.e:
28,300 µS/cm which is
mainly due to the high salt
content in this sample.
 W5 FLOOD WATER The observations from the
experiment illustrate that
this sample has the highest
turbidity of 52 NTU and
apparent colour of 118.33
due to large number of
suspended solids present in
this sample.

ANSWER 4: The alkalinity of the 5 samples would have given us a better idea about the potential
sources of water. Alkalinity is basically the measure of the water to neutralise acid. It is expressed as
mg/L CaCO3. Alkalinity of some major water sources are as follows:

BOD: Biochemical Oxygen Demand referred to as BOD is the amount of oxygen required by micro-
organisms to oxidise organic matter under aerobic conditions. It is tested to identify polluted water.
For example: creek water, flood water, etc.

ANSWER 5:
SAMPLE SOURCE
W1 TAP WATER
W2 SWIMMING POOL
W3 CREEK WATER
W4 LAKE WATER
W5 FLOOD WATER
ACCURACY AND ERRORS: While calibrating pH meter and spectrophotometer there were some very
negligible standard sample errors. The results may be inaccurate due to fingerprints on sample test
tubes. There were some decimal point adjustments during the calculation of colour units from the
calibration curve.

ANSWER 6:
 Parameters like pH, Conductivity, temperature, turbidity and colour are measured in
treatment plants before and after the treatment of water to ensure that the quality of water
has improved significantly for safe usage.
 Moreover, it is also used to analyse the quality of water to decide weather or not it usable
for industrial applications.
 It is also helpful in determining the quality of wastewater before it is drained into sources
after industrial usage.
 Water parameters are also widely used in bio-floc fish farming.

ANSWER 7:
Mines release many vital health hazard effluents like arsenic, cyanide, mercury etc. into the receiving
waters such as rivers and creeks. While there are many different kinds of mines available, treating a
regular mine water drained river or creek water consists of many stages. Some of the most common
process are:

 Biological processes desalination

 Evaporation
 Crystallization
 Filtration
 Disinfection
 Ion exchange
 Clarification
 Membrane separation
 Sludge treatment etc.

On the other hand, lake water treatment for drinking is relatively easier. It is much cleaner than the
water of river or creek that contains mine water. The treatment process removes algae, suspended
clays, dissolved materials and bacteria. Most of the lake water treatment processes consist of 6
stages.

 Chlorination
 De-gasification
 Flocculation
 Clarification
 Filtration
 Carbon adsorption

As mine water contaminates receiving water heavily, thus it needs more treatment processes to
qualify as potable water. Therefore, lake water is the most suitable between the options given
economically and less time consuming. It also contains much less health hazardous substances.

ANSWER 8:
Flow chart of treating lake water to drinking water:
 W4
Drinking
water
Storage

Coagulation

Chlorination

Flocculation

Secondary treatment
pH
adjustment/
Sedimentation Acid Injection
Primary treatment

with bar
filtration

AC Filter/
Membrane Granular Carbon
Filtration Media Filter

Desalination De-gasification
REFERENCES
2006. WATER QUALITY IN THE LAKE ILLAWARRA CATCHMENT. [ebook] Wollongong: M.
O’Donnell. Available at: <https://wetlandsaustralia.com/articles/276/galley/279/download/> [Accessed
5 September 2020].

2020. Quarterly Drinking Water Quality Report. [PDF] Sydney: Sydney Water, p.11. Available at:
<https://www.sydneywater.com.au/web/groups/publicwebcontent/documents/document/zgrf/mji2/~edi
sp/dd_226732.pdf> [Accessed 4 September 2020].

Enr.gov.nt.ca. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/sites/enr/files/conductivity.pdf>

[Accessed 6 September 2020].

Environmental Measurement Systems. 2020. Ph Of Water - Environmental Measurement Systems.

[online] Available at: <https://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-
quality/ph/> [Accessed 6 September 2020].

Hub, C. and pools, M., 2020. Measuring Turbidity In Swimming Pools | Palintest. [online] Palintest.
Available at: <https://www.palintest.com/content-hub/measuring-turbidity-in-swimming-
pools/#:~:text=What%20levels%20of%20turbidity%20are%20acceptable%20in%20a%20swimming
%2Dpool%3F&text=The%20National%20Sanitation%20Foundation%20standard,6%20hours
%20(NSPF%202005)> [Accessed 6 September 2020].

OzCoasts. 2020. Ph Of Coastal Waterways - Ozcoasts. [online] Available at:

<https://ozcoasts.org.au/indicators/biophysical-indicators/ph_coastal_waterways/> [Accessed 6
September 2020].

Pahlen. 2020. Ph And Chlorine Values Swimming Pool - Water Quality Pool. [online] Available at:
<https://www.pahlen.com/users-guide/ph-and-chlorine/> [Accessed 6 September 2020].

Usgs.gov. 2020. Turbidity And Water. [online] Available at: <https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-

science-school/science/turbidity-and-water?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects>
[Accessed 6 September 2020].