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Higher Colleges of Technology
Abu Dhabi Men’s College
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Water Quality Parameters
(Alkalinity and Acidity)
Course Title: Professional Communications
Course No.: LSEC N307
Section: CGE
Prepared by: Abdulla Awadh Mubarak
Student ID#: H00161010
Completion Date: Sunday, 18-Dec-2011 (Final version)
Instructor: Mr. Gregory Vrhovnik
Table of Contents
1. Introduction (scope of the project)……………… ………….....3
2. The meaning of water quality standards and its importance in water resources engineering……………………….……………… 3
3. Detailed information about Alkalinity and Acidity water quality parameter …………………………………….…………………….5
4. Representative characteristics of Alkalinity and Acidity….…. 7
5. Conclusion to the project………………………………….......8
6. References..............................................................................….....9
1. Introduction (scope of the project):
The water quality parameter is measured with different types of testing method. This report is going to discuss one of these types which is Alkalinity and Acidity. Therefore, the reader will know details about this method like procedure for testing, equipment used and how this method related to the drinking water quality standards. Also, it will include information about Maximum Contamination Level and Maximum Contamination Level Goals.
2. The meaning of water quality standards and its importance in water engineering:
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water [1] [2]. However, people need a water quality standard to be a basis for assessing water quality. Water quality standard is a decision about how the water will be used by beneficial users [2]. This beneficial uses may includes safe drinking water, fish and wildlife, crop production and industrial manner. Therefore, drinking water standards which ensure that the drinking water quality for public water system is safe by national regulations divides into two types of standards. One of them is primary standard which” is a health related and enforced by local authorities” [1]. Other standard is called secondary standard which” focuses on non-health related contaminates that affect, flavor, odor and color (this standard is recommended but not enforced by local authorities)” [1]. Moreover, there are limits for health related standards which are represents by Maximum Contamination Levels Goals (MCLG’S) and Maximum Contamination Level (MCL’S). MCLG’S “is a health –based goal set at a level with an adequate margin of safety to ensure no adverse effect on human health” and it is a non-enforceable goals [1]. In contrast, MCL’S is an enforceable standard (for no carcinogenic contaminants) [1]. For more instances, see table 1 below with some standard classes for common parameters (fresh water only): [3]
Table 1- Standard for classes [3]
| Standard for Classes |
| PARAMETER | AA | A | B | C |
| Minimum Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) | 9.5 | 8.0 | 6.5 | NA |
| Maximum Coliform Bacteria (#/100ml) | 50 | 100 | 200 | NA |
| Maximum Temperature (degrees C) | 16 | 18 | 21 | NA |
| pH range | 6.5-8.5 | 6.5-8.5 | 6.5-8.5 | NA |
| Maximum Turbidity (NTU) | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 |
Where:
AA - has all beneficial uses to a high degree
A - has all beneficial uses, but not as well as Class AA
B - has all beneficial uses except domestic water supply, salmon spawning, fish harvesting, and primary contact recreation.
C - has only a limited set of beneficial uses, including industrial water supply, fish migration, wildlife habitat, secondary contact recreation, and navigation.
However, water quality standards are important for water resources engineering because this type of engineering is considered about the management and control of water for all beneficial users. Also, it can control of excess water to protect the population. So, the three major areas of water resources management are (i) Control of water like flood control, (ii) Utilization of water such as municipal water supply and (iii) Water quality management as pollution control.
3. Detailed information about Alkalinity and Acidity water quality parameter:
o Device equipment: (show it in the pictures below)
o Why it should be tested?
Alkalinity it is a measure for all the substances found in the water which can be react with the acids in the water and the pH [8]. So, that like a power keeps pH from changing. Therefore, the pure water should be having PH=7 and has not contain alkalinity. However, it is an important for aquatic life because it keeps pH from changing and makes the water less affected by acid rain [8].
o What is the procedure?
We can use the pH method (test stripes) [9]:
1. Take out one test strip (or litmus paper) and then recap the bottle.
2. Then dip the test strip into water, usually about 18 inches below the surface of the water.
3. Hold the test strip out of the water for the required amount of time.
4. Compare the colors of the test strip to the colors of the chart (on the bottle) to determine if the alkalinity reading is low, in range or high.
5. If applicable, adjust the pHs
We can also use the test kits (titration test):
1. It requires an indicator reagent and a follow up reagent.
2. Once the test block is filled with sample water from the tap.
3. Then an indicator reagent is added to the sample, which changes the color of the water.
4. After that, a follow up alkalinity reagent will be added, be careful add it drop by drop.
5. The number of drops will be changes the color of the water will be specified in test kit cover as instruction that will determine the alkalinity.
6. Simply take the number of required drops and multiplied by 10 to determine your alkalinity.
7. Note: it take 10 drops to fully change the color (10 drops x 10 =100ppm=alkalinity reading).
8. Do not forget to count the numbers of drops
o What we can calculate from this experiment?
The amount of alkalinity and Acidity in the water and determine if it is good for use or not.
o Standards for drinking water?
The “EPA” secondary drinking water regulations limit alkalinity only on terms of total dissolved solids (500ppm) and to some extent by the limitation on pH scale. By the way, strongly alkaline water has an objectionable like soda taste. Also, when pH>7 due common alkaline salt in the ground. Moreover, carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium, sodium or magnesium are the most impurities can cause alkalinity [10].
4. Representative characteristics of Alkalinity and Acidity[11]:
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| Alkalinity | Acidity |
| pH | More than 7 | Less than 7 |
| 1 | Measurement of Alkalinity and pH needed to determine the corrosiveness of the water. |
| 2 | More disease with high acidity |
| 3 | Acidic water could contain metal ion like manganese, iron, zinc or lead |
| 4 | Acidic water can make premature damage in metallic piping |
o As mentioned in all drinking water reports around the world, the people can check percentage of alkalinity and acidity or any other impurities in their drinking water by local authority like municipality or water ministry in the country [12]. Therefore, that gives the customer more checking and ensure about their drinking water quality. Also, they can know what can be caused if the water is not clean and avoid contaminates can be found in drinking water.
5. Conclusion to the project:
In this project I learned that there are a lot of ways to measure the water quality parameters. This report discus one of these devices concerned about one of these parameters which is Alkalinity and Acidity in water. Also this report explains how these impurities can be tested by two simple techniques. Furthermore, we found that pH indicator is the main factor can be determined from it the presence and absence of Alkalinity and Acidity. From the characteristics, the Acidity is a more dangerous on the life than Alkalinity. Moreover, I know that that Alkalinity and Acidity play an important role in evaluating water systems.
6. Bibliography
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| [1]Dr. Anf ziadat, "Evaluate the importance of water quality control and water resources management for domestic water supply," in Water Resources and Supply Engineering, Civil engineering department at Abu-Dhabi Men's College, Ed. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Abu-Dhabi Men's College, 2011,handouts 2 and 3, pp. 11-33.[Class handouts, september 2011] |
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| [12]Steve Smith, "Your Drinking Water's Report Card," Supply House Times,[Online] vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 170,176, Jun 2006.[12-Dec-2011] |
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![Text Box: pH scale [4]](file:///C:/Users/H00161~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif){kind=small}
![Text Box: Test stripes [5]](file:///C:/Users/H00161~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.gif){kind=small}
![Text Box: pH Test Kits [7]](file:///C:/Users/H00161~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image007.gif){kind=small}
![Text Box: Test tube [6]](file:///C:/Users/H00161~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image010.gif){kind=small}
