Identifying Water Sources and Quality Standards

Next Generation Science / Common Core Standards Addressed!

WHST.9‐12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to WHST.9‐12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self‐generated question) or solve a problem; answer a question (including a self‐generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. (HS‐the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. (HS‐LS2‐7),(HS‐LS4‐6)LS2‐7),(HS‐LS4‐6)

Bell Work / Learning Objectives

Identify sources of Identify sources of water.water.

Describe factors used Describe factors used to determine water to determine water quality.quality.

Describe when and Describe when and what to test for.what to test for.

Terms

Ground waterGround waterHardnessHardnessSurface waterSurface waterTurbidityTurbidityWater qualityWater quality

How is the quality of water determined?

Is the quality of water reflected Is the quality of water reflected by the source of the water?by the source of the water?

Does bottled water have any Does bottled water have any guidelines that is must follow?guidelines that is must follow?

Sources of Water

Two main sources of water are Two main sources of water are surface water and ground water.surface water and ground water.

Surface water

Can be found on the surface of the Can be found on the surface of the earth in lakes, streams, rivers, and earth in lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans. oceans.

Can be either freshwater or Can be either freshwater or saltwater. saltwater.

Main source is precipitation. Main source is precipitation. Good for human consumption and Good for human consumption and

agricultural use. agricultural use. Surface water should be treated before Surface water should be treated before

use as potable water.use as potable water.

New Mexico Surface Water

Groundwater

Water from within the earth. Water from within the earth. May be located a few feet or thousands May be located a few feet or thousands

of feet within the earth. of feet within the earth. Provides much of the freshwater we use. Provides much of the freshwater we use. Can usually be used with little treatment.Can usually be used with little treatment. Much of the irrigation water in New Much of the irrigation water in New

Mexico is pumped from ground water Mexico is pumped from ground water aquifers.aquifers.

Water Quality

Condition of water for a particular Condition of water for a particular use. use.

Affected by how people use and Affected by how people use and abuse water resources.abuse water resources.

Water Quality Factors

Odor and TasteOdor and Taste ColorColor pHpH HardnessHardness

TurbidityTurbidity Heavy MetalsHeavy Metals Chemical Chemical

ResiduesResidues Coliform Coliform

BacteriaBacteria

Odor and TasteThe result of the The result of the

water source. water source. Bad odor and taste in Bad odor and taste in

water may result from water may result from pollution, sulfur, or pollution, sulfur, or microorganisms.microorganisms.

Many areas in Nm Many areas in Nm sufferer from bad sufferer from bad tasting watertasting water

Color

For most people, clean, clear water is their For most people, clean, clear water is their first choice. However, colored water may first choice. However, colored water may be safe to drink. be safe to drink. Colored water is often the result of Colored water is often the result of

mineral presence. mineral presence. Minerals that may change the color of Minerals that may change the color of

water include iron, magnesium, an water include iron, magnesium, an calcium. calcium.

Other factors that may alter water color Other factors that may alter water color include sediment, organic matter, and include sediment, organic matter, and plankton.plankton.

pH

The pH of water is commonly The pH of water is commonly between 5.5 to 8.6. between 5.5 to 8.6.

The safest pH level for pipes and The safest pH level for pipes and pumps is 7.0 to 7.8.pumps is 7.0 to 7.8.

Hardness

The presence of calcium and The presence of calcium and magnesium ions in water. magnesium ions in water.

The greater the presence of The greater the presence of these ions, the harder the water. these ions, the harder the water.

Hard water leaves residue in hot Hard water leaves residue in hot water pipes and water heaters.water pipes and water heaters.

Turbidity

The solid material suspended in The solid material suspended in water.water. These materials may be soil particles These materials may be soil particles

or microscopic organisms. or microscopic organisms. Turbid water is not clear; light cannot Turbid water is not clear; light cannot

pass through the water.pass through the water. To remove turbidity, the water has to To remove turbidity, the water has to

be filtered and the particles allowed be filtered and the particles allowed to settle.to settle.

Heavy Metals

Including mercury and lead, may Including mercury and lead, may be hazardous to the water be hazardous to the water supply. supply.

Lead was once commonly used Lead was once commonly used to seal joints, now that lead may to seal joints, now that lead may leak into the water supply within leak into the water supply within the pipes. the pipes. These pipes should be replaced.These pipes should be replaced.

Chemical Residues

Chemical residues from various Chemical residues from various chemicals including pesticides chemicals including pesticides can be dangerous to human can be dangerous to human health. health.

However, the extent of these However, the extent of these dangers is still unknown.dangers is still unknown.

Coliform Bacteria

An indication of fecal contamination An indication of fecal contamination in the water supply.in the water supply.

The contamination may result from The contamination may result from human or animal waste getting into human or animal waste getting into the water.the water.

Water contaminated with coliform Water contaminated with coliform bacteria is not fit for consumption. bacteria is not fit for consumption.

Coliform bacteria can be destroyed Coliform bacteria can be destroyed by boiling the water.by boiling the water.

What to Test for and When

Testing your household water supply Testing your household water supply is important to the health of is important to the health of everyone within the house. everyone within the house.

Invisible contaminants in the water Invisible contaminants in the water may be hazardous. may be hazardous.

Visible contaminants can be harmful Visible contaminants can be harmful to both people and household items. to both people and household items.

Other pollutants may not be harmful Other pollutants may not be harmful but may leave the water unfit to drink but may leave the water unfit to drink or cook with. or cook with.

Testing Household Water Supplies

No matter the problem, water testing will help No matter the problem, water testing will help determine how to solve it.determine how to solve it.

Regular water tests that should be done on a Regular water tests that should be done on a yearly basis include coliform, nitrate, and pH. yearly basis include coliform, nitrate, and pH.

Regular water tests that should be done every Regular water tests that should be done every three years include tests for sulfate, chloride, three years include tests for sulfate, chloride, iron, manganese, and lead.iron, manganese, and lead.

Most municipal systems are tested on a daily Most municipal systems are tested on a daily basis.basis.

Testing Household Water Supplies

In special situations, water should be In special situations, water should be tested more frequently and more tested more frequently and more thoroughly.thoroughly.

Examples of such situations include Examples of such situations include the location of the water source to the location of the water source to agricultural use, drilling, and landfills agricultural use, drilling, and landfills or dumps. or dumps.

Each of these may be responsible Each of these may be responsible for contamination to local water for contamination to local water supplies.supplies.

Specific Areas of Testing

BacteriologicalBacteriologicalMineral Mineral ChemicalChemical

Bacteriological testing

Determines the presence of Determines the presence of bacteria that may cause disease.bacteria that may cause disease.

The most common bacteria to The most common bacteria to test for is coliform.test for is coliform.

Mineral Testing

Determines the level of mineral Determines the level of mineral impurities in the water. impurities in the water.

Large amounts of minerals can be Large amounts of minerals can be hazardous and may reduce the hazardous and may reduce the usefulness of the water.usefulness of the water.

Common minerals to be tested for Common minerals to be tested for include calcium, iron, copper, zinc, include calcium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and magnesium.manganese, and magnesium.

Chemical Testing

An expensive process, therefore An expensive process, therefore it is usually only done when it is usually only done when contamination is suspected. contamination is suspected.

Common chemical pollutants Common chemical pollutants include petroleum products and include petroleum products and agricultural and industrial agricultural and industrial chemicals.chemicals.

Review / Summary

Identify sources of water.Identify sources of water.Describe factors used to Describe factors used to

determine water quality.determine water quality.Describe when and what to test Describe when and what to test

for.for.

The End!