Environmental Engineering – 20-CE-92

Experiment No. 02
DETERMINATION OF TURBIDITY IN THE WATER SAMPLE

Definition
Turbidity is the technical term referring to the cloudiness or haziness of a solution and it is a
qualitative characteristic which is imparted by solid particles obstructing the transmittance of
light through a water sample.

Theory
Turbidity is typically a result of suspended and dispersed particles such as clay, silt, organic matter,
microorganisms, and algae. This phenomenon represents the optical characteristic that causes light to
scatter and absorb instead of traveling in a straight line through the analyzed substance.

Significance

 The WHO recommends that drinking water should have a turbidity limit of < 5 NTU, and a level
of 1 NTU is recommended for adequate disinfection safety.
 Organisms in water bodies require turbid water as a habitat, where turbidity acts as a protective
shield for their existence.
 To ensure proper filter operation, it is necessary to measure the turbidity of filtered water.
 Turbidity measurements are valuable in determining the optimal dosage of coagulants required
for treating domestic and industrial wastewater.

Principle
In the turbidity meter, a light source eliminates the sample on or more photoelectric detector we used
to read with a readout device to indicate the intensity of scattered light at right angle from the path of
the incident light.

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 Environmental Engineering – 20-CE-92

Units
Turbidity is expressed in NTU (Nephlometric Turbidity Unit).

Apparatus
1. Turbidity meter
2. Water sample
3. Flask

Procedure

1. Switch on the Turbidity Meter.

2. Calibrate the turbidity meter by using standard solution.
3. Shake the water sample and pour it in the turbidity cube.
4. Wipe the outside of the tube to remove fingerprints, dirt, and water droplets.
5. Then, note down the first reading and then remove the cell from the turbidity meter and report
the reading in NTU (Nephlometric Turbidity Unit).

Observations

The sample on which test was performed gave following results:

Turbidity of the sample = 0.475 NTU < 5 NTU

The water sample is within the standard limits suggested by WHO.

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