Hands-On Water Quality Assessment For

Everyone!

Hands-On Water Quality Assessment For

Everyone!

By Dr. Birgit Hagedorn University of Alaska Anchorage

&Edda Mutter University of Alaska Fairbanks

By Dr. Birgit Hagedorn University of Alaska Anchorage

&Edda Mutter University of Alaska Fairbanks

Water QualityWater Quality

Different levels:

– Drinking - Potable Water – None-Potable Water

Recreational Water

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Drinking Water Standards

Different levels:

– Drinking - Potable Water – None-Potable Water

Recreational Water

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Drinking Water Standards

Water MonitoringWater Monitoring

Seasonal Changes Snowmelt Droughts Summer Rain Events Freeze-up

Seasonal Changes Snowmelt Droughts Summer Rain Events Freeze-up

Water SourcesWater Sources

Surface Water–Stream–Lakes

Groundwater Rain & Snowmelt Water

Surface Water–Stream–Lakes

Groundwater Rain & Snowmelt Water

Water CharacteristicsWater Characteristics

Physical, Chemical, and Biological

– Natural and Anthropogenic

Physical, Chemical, and Biological

– Natural and Anthropogenic

Physical CharacteristicsPhysical Characteristics

Temperature – Chemical and biological Implication

Odor-Taste Particulate and Sediment Load

– Glacial & Sediment-Rich Water– Burn and Road Dust

Surface and Rainwater– Filtration

Temperature – Chemical and biological Implication

Odor-Taste Particulate and Sediment Load

– Glacial & Sediment-Rich Water– Burn and Road Dust

Surface and Rainwater– Filtration

Chemical CharacteristicsChemical Characteristics

pH Salt Content Oxygen Concentration Alkalinity - Hardness –Within specific range for drinking water standard

–Implication of other chemical and biologicalprocesses

pH Salt Content Oxygen Concentration Alkalinity - Hardness –Within specific range for drinking water standard

–Implication of other chemical and biologicalprocesses

Biological Characteristics

Biological Characteristics

Biological Oxygen Demand Microorganisms such as bacteria Plants and Algae Macroorganisms such as larvae, fish and clams

Biological Oxygen Demand Microorganisms such as bacteria Plants and Algae Macroorganisms such as larvae, fish and clams

ContaminantsContaminants

Natural Contaminants- Geology

Metals Anthropogenic

– Mining– Solid Waste– Honey Bucket Waste

Natural Contaminants- Geology

Metals Anthropogenic

– Mining– Solid Waste– Honey Bucket Waste

pH - ValuespH - Values

Tells you how acidic or basic water is

Range 0-14 pH– Acidic water < pH 7 – Basic water > pH 7

Natural water range of pH is 5-8 – pH 5.5 common for rainwater– ~ pH 8 in limestone water– Drinking water range of pH is 6 to 8.5

Tells you how acidic or basic water is

Range 0-14 pH– Acidic water < pH 7 – Basic water > pH 7

Natural water range of pH is 5-8 – pH 5.5 common for rainwater– ~ pH 8 in limestone water– Drinking water range of pH is 6 to 8.5

Alkalinity Alkalinity

Ability of a solution to neutralize acids

Measurements–Total Alkalinity (EPA regulated in terms of total dissolved solids 500 mg/L)

–Phosphorus–Nitrate

Ability of a solution to neutralize acids

Measurements–Total Alkalinity (EPA regulated in terms of total dissolved solids 500 mg/L)

–Phosphorus–Nitrate

Alaska (DEC) Water Quality Standards

Alaska (DEC) Water Quality Standards

Iron 0.3 mg/L pH 6.0-8.5 Temperature < than 15 degrees Celsius Total Dissolved Solids 500 mg/L Chloride 250 mg/L Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.) > than 7 mg/L Ammonia 30 mg/L Copper 1.0 mg/L

Iron 0.3 mg/L pH 6.0-8.5 Temperature < than 15 degrees Celsius Total Dissolved Solids 500 mg/L Chloride 250 mg/L Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.) > than 7 mg/L Ammonia 30 mg/L Copper 1.0 mg/L