You have done your research to identify likely problems and sources of contaminations in your community's water. Why not test your water and see what is there? Your team should have received a water test kit from CPF. Following the instructions provided, you are going to collect and test a sample of the water you collected for this Challenge. There are notes about each of the parameters your are testing for below. Note your results and reflections using the sheet provided here.
Water Test Parameters
Below are common water quality parameters that people test in their water, along with some information about sources, effects, and acceptable limits for how much of a given substance is considered acceptable.
Atrazine
Acceptable Level: 3 ppb or. 003 ppm
Atrazine
Used as a herbicide; surface or groundwater contamination from agricultural runoff or leaching. Can lead to heart and liver damage at high levels.
Benzine
Acceptable Level: 5 ppb or. 005 ppm
Benzine
Gasoline additive; usually from accidental oil spills, industrial uses, or landfills. Can cause problems with blood, immune system, and nervous system at high levels.
Lead
Acceptable Level: 0.015 ppm or 15 ppb
Lead
Used in batteries; lead gasoline and pipe solder; may be leached from brass faucets, lead caulking, lead pipes, and lead soldered joints. Lead exposure can lead to nervous disorders and mental impairment, especially in babies.
Nitrates (NO3)
Acceptable Level: 10 mg/l (nitrate-N)
45 mg/l (nitrate)
Nitrates (NO3)
Soil by-product of agricultural fertilization; human and animal
waste leaching to groundwater. Particularly dangerous to infants.
Total Coliform
Acceptable Level: <1 coliform/100 ml
Total Coliform
Possible bacterial or viral contamination from human sewage or animal manure. Can cause digestive problems. Constant exposure can lead to cholera and hepatitis.
Radon
Acceptable Level: 300 pCi/l
Radon
Naturally occurring gas formed from uranium decay; can seep into well water from surrounding rocks and be released into the air as it leaves the faucet. Can cause cancer with prolonged exposure.
pH
Acceptable Range: 6.5 to 8.5
pH
An important overall measure of water quality, pH can alter the corrosivity and solubility of contaminants. Low pH will cause pitting of pipes and fixtures or a metallic taste. This may indicate that metals are being dissolved. At high pH, the water will have a slippery feel or a soda taste.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Acceptable Level: 500 mg/l
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Dissolved minerals like iron or manganese. High TDS also can indicate hardness (scaly deposits) or cause staining, or a salty, bitter taste.
Iron (Fe)
Acceptable Level: 0.3 mg/l
Iron (Fe)
Leaves a metallic taste; discolored beverages; yellowish stains, stains laundry. Not a huge health risk.
