Knowra Water quality Water quality Water quality describes water’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics in relation to its uses. It is assessed against requirements such as safety, ecosystem health, and suitability for industry or recreation.
Water pollution : The introduction of substances or energy into water that causes harmful changes. Pollution can alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties used to judge quality.
Water sampling : The collection of water samples for measurement, testing, or preservation. Sampling location, timing, and handling determine which conditions a quality assessment represents.
Drinking water : Water intended for human consumption, including water used for drinking and food preparation. Its quality must meet health protections for pathogens and chemical contaminants.
Waterborne disease : An illness caused by pathogens transmitted through contaminated water. Microbial contamination can turn unsafe water into a direct route of infection.
pH : A logarithmic measure of hydrogen-ion activity that indicates how acidic or alkaline a solution is. pH affects aquatic life and changes how pollutants behave in water.
Water analysis : The measurement of physical, chemical, or biological properties of water. Laboratory and field measurements provide the indicators used to characterize water quality.
Wastewater treatment : Processes that remove or reduce contaminants from used water before discharge or reuse. Treatment improves effluent quality and limits pollution in receiving waters.
Harmful algal bloom : A rapid growth of algae or cyanobacteria that can produce toxins or otherwise harm people and ecosystems. Some blooms release toxins, while others worsen oxygen loss and disrupt water supplies.
Turbidity : The cloudiness of a liquid caused by suspended particles that scatter light. Cloudiness can indicate sediment or contamination and reduce light available to aquatic plants.
Water quality index : A numerical score that combines selected water measurements into a summary of water quality. An index condenses several indicators into a value that is easier to communicate.
Show all 22