Testing Water for it’s Quality such as pH and Other Chemical Levels to Evaluate Whether it is

Safe for Consumption

Introduction/Purpose:
Environmental scientists regularly test water quality in order to monitor the health of
local water bodies. Testing water from different sources provides data on the impacts of human
activities on these aquatic ecosystems. In this lab activity, students will collect a water sample
from a nearby pond and perform a series of tests to comprehensively evaluate the water quality.
The tests include measuring pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonia, and phosphate
levels. Each test provides insight into a different aspect of water quality: Testing pH is important
because most aquatic organisms can only survive within a certain pH range and pH indicates
whether the water is too acidic or basic for life; Measuring turbidity evaluates the clarity of the
water and high turbidity can impact aquatic plants and animals by reducing light penetration;
Dissolved oxygen testing is critical because oxygen is required by all aerobic aquatic life and
low levels will stress organisms; Ammonia testing reveals pollution from waste that can be toxic,
especially to fish; Nitrate and phosphate levels can indicate nutrient pollution which can spur
excessive algal growth and negatively impact water bodies.

Moving on, the purpose of this lab is for students to assess whether the pond water
sample meets the standard for human drinking conditions. The results will reveal any issues with
the water quality that need to be addressed to protect this important local water resource.

Hypothesis:
If the pH of the water sample is acidic due to the natural granite and quartzite bedrock
geology, then the water will not meet safe drinking standards because low pH can leach toxic
metals into the water – making it unsafe for human consumption. However, if the geology is not
impacting the pH, then the other water tests for turbidity, metal levels, phosphates, nitrates,
ammonia, and dissolved oxygen will be within normal safe ranges because the pond is in a
protected natural area away from pollution sources – making it safe for human consumption.

Materials & Procedures:

The materials necessary for this lab are in the following: Pond Water testing kit (with the
pH, nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, and four tubes), one pipette, a plastic bottle filled with pond
water (the sample), a thermometer, a timer, and gloves.

Students performing this lab should do the following: first, they must smell the water
sample to record its odor; second, they must collect a bottle full of pond water (the bottle must be
submerged in the water and capped when all the air bubbles come out, and then taken out of the
water); third, they must measure the temperature of their water sample using a thermometer to
record on a data table; fourth, they must fill each of 4 tubes (found in their kit) with 5 mL of
pond water each); fifth, they must label the four tubes as A, B, C, and D (respectively).

For tube A, they will be testing the pH level by adding five drops of the Wide Range Test
Solution (this should be done by the tube staying on a flat surface and the dropper being tilted
up-side-down vertically to ensure the uniformity of each drop). Then, they must cap the test tube
and invert to mix the solution, and in no case, put their finger on the end or the opening of the
tube as it could affect the pH. Lastly, they must determine the range or exact pH value of their
sample using the pH color chart attached to the back of the booklet that comes with the water
testing kit.

Tube B should be used to test ammonia. This will be done by adding eight drops of the
Ammonia Test Solution Bottle #1 to the sample (in the same way that the Wide Range test was
added to Tube A). Then, another eight drops of the Ammonia Test Solution Bottle #2 should also
be added in a similar fashion. Next, they must cap the tube and vigorously shake it for five
seconds, and finally wait for five minutes for the color to develop (using the timer) . Lastly, they
must record the levels of ammonia found in the sample (in ppm) using the ammonia color chart.

Tube C should be used to test Nitrite. The students will add five drops to the Nitrite Test
Solution in a similar fashion to Tube A and B. Then, they should cap the tube and shake well for
five seconds. Next, they must wait for five minutes with the help of the timer for the color to
develop, and analyze it using the color chart.

Tube D should be used to test Phosphate. Six drops of the Phosphate Test Solution Bottle
#1 should be added to the tube in a similar fashion to how the test solutions were added to the
other tubes, and the tube must be vigorously shaken for five seconds. Then, this step must be
repeated with the Phosphate Test Solution Bottle #2, instead of Bottle #1. Finally, the students
should wait for three minutes for the color to develop, and analyze it with the color chart
provided in the back.

Data Collection:

Test What does Why is this Result for Meets legal Meets
this test tell test your water drinking aquatic life
us? important? sample water standards?
(include standards?
units)
Color and The color and Checking Odorless Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
Odor odor provides color and one) one)
(observe) initial clues odor is a fast, Explain: Explain:
about pollution easy indicator
 levels and of water Odorless While
types. Certain issues. water meets odorless
colors like Distinct drinking water may
green, brown, colors and water meet
or red may foul/unusual standards potability
indicate algal smells because criteria,
blooms or prompt lack of odor natural
erosion. Odors further testing typically surface
like chlorine, to identify indicates an waters
rotten eggs, or causes and absence of contain
gasoline point protect contaminan organic
to environmenta ts. Odors material
contamination. l and human can come that
health. Even from produces
subtle visual chemicals, some
and smell algal baseline
changes over growth or background
time can pollution odors from
reveal that would microbial
problems. render the decomposit
water ion and
unsafe or other
unacceptabl processes.
e for Complete
potable use odorlessnes
according s may
to the Safe actually
Drinking signal
Water Act biological
standards. collapse or
Odorless toxic
News conditions
suggests where the
purity. processes
producing
scents have
been
disrupted.
Some slight
musty,
fishy or
earthy odor
likely
supports
aquatic life.
Complete
 absence of
smell
indicates
artificially
treated or
contaminat
ed water
that
violates
standards
for
sustaining
ecosystems.
Temperat Temperature Aquatic life 1.4ºC Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
ure affects oxygen from one) one)
saturation microbes to Explain: Explain:
levels. Warmer fish are A A
water holds adapted to temperature temperature
less oxygen limited of 1.4°C of 1.4°C is
which temperature falls within likely
organisms need bands based the EPA's below the
to respire. It on climate, Safe suitable
also impacts season, and Drinking range for
metabolism, waterbody. Water Act most
feeding, Monitoring allowable aquatic life
mating for seasonal, range of habitats.
behaviors, and daily or 0-25°C for Cold water
suitable habitat irregular public fish species
ranges. Sudden shifts reveals drinking require
temperature ecosystem water temperature
fluctuations issues and systems. s above
cause thermal informs Therefore, 2°C for
stress. species a basic
conservation. temperature functions
of 1.4°C while
meets the warmer
legal water
standards ecosystems
for potable would
water. experience
freezing
and
die-offs.
Rapid
temperature
 drops can
shock
organisms.
Thus 1.4°C
would fail
to meet
general
aquatic life
temperature
standards
and
threaten
sensitive
species.
pH The pH test Most aquatic About 6.6 Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
measures the organisms pH one) one)
hydrogen ion require a pH Explain: Explain:
concentration between The EPA A pH of 6.0
which 6.5-8.5 to secondary does not
determines thrive. regulations fall within
acidity. The pH Outside this for public the
scale spans range, toxic drinking acceptable
0-14, with 7 as effects water range of
neutral. Lower include identify a 6.8-8.2 for
numbers impaired recommend most
indicate enzyme/physi ed pH aquatic life.
increasing ology range of
acidity while function, 6.5-9, with
higher numbers reduced allowances
denote more reproduction, for down to
basic solutions. disease 6.0
susceptibility (National
and mortality. Primary
If pH Drinking
fluctuates too Water
quickly, Regulations
organisms | US EPA,
cannot adapt. 2018).
Proper pH Since the
sustains measured
biodiversity. pH of
approximat
ely 6.0 falls
within the
regulatory
 range, it
meets the
legal
drinking
water
standards.
Nitrate/Ni Nitrite and While 0 ppm Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
trite nitrate are nutrients one) one)
byproducts of sustain Explain: Explain:
nitrogen aquatic The EPA's While
pollution from ecosystems in maximum aquatic
fertilizer moderation, contaminan ecosystems
runoff, sewage overabundanc t level for require
leaks, animal e has nitrate in balanced
waste, soil cascading drinking nitrogen
erosion and consequences water is 10 levels, 0
industrial . Blooms ppm and 1 ppm
discharges. block light, ppm for indicates
Excess levels killing plants. nitrite. The the absence
fuel algal Algal level of 0 of
blooms with decompositio ppm agricultural
complex n then robs detected , industrial
ecological water of meets the and
impacts. oxygen legal wastewater
causing fish drinking nitrogen
kills. Toxins, water pollution
pH changes standards which can
and biomass for both trigger
accumulation nitrate and algal
s from nitrite. blooms and
blooms fish kills.
destroy Therefore,
habitats and the 0 ppm
species level meets
diversity. general
aquatic life
standards
as it
reflects an
uncontamin
ated,
pristine
water body.
Phosphat Like nitrogen, Monitoring 0 ppm Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
e excess phosphate one) one)
 phosphorus levels helps Explain: Explain:
feeds identify There is no While
problematic locations and EPA federal phosphates
algal bloom activities limit for are needed
growth. Runoff polluting the phosphates in balanced
from lawns, watershed. in drinking proportions
farms, By targeting water. for aquatic
disturbed land sources, However, a life, 0 ppm
and wastewater nutrient 0 ppm indicates
transports inputs can be result falls pristine
phosphates into reduced within conditions
water bodies. through recommend without
Even small runoff ed ranges artificial
increases over diversion, for potable excess
time vegetation water nutrient
accumulate. buffers, (Young, inputs from
agricultural 2021). Lack pollution.
practices of This lack of
reforms and phosphates contaminati
controlled suggests the on allows
sewage water is not natural
disposal. This contaminat baseline
protects ed by nutrient
ecosystems. runoff or cycling to
wastewater sustain
effluents. ecosystems.
Thus, 0 Therefore,
ppm meets the 0 ppm
drinking level meets
water general
standards. aquatic life
standards.
Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia 0 ppm Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
enters damages one) one)
waterways gills, limits Explain: Explain:
from oxygen The EPA For aquatic
agricultural transport and national life, it is
runoff, causes organ primary recommend
wastewater damage in drinking ed to keep
discharge, fish and water ammonia
septic systems, aquatic life, regulation levels at 0.0
animal/pet eventually limit for ppm. Since
waste and leading to ammonia is the test
nitrogenous death. It also 0.25 - 32.5 result is 0
fertilizers. directly alters (Health ppm, no
 High ammonia water Effects ammonia
levels are chemistry Information contaminati
toxic. through , 2000). on is
Therefore, this increased pH Thus, the indicated.
test will tell us and algae test result This
whether or not growth. of 0 ppm absence of
there has been Monitoring falls well ammonia
a run-off. informs below the meets
pollution allowable guidelines
source threshold, for
reduction. meeting sustaining
federal healthy
drinking aquatic
water ecosystems
quality and
standards. organism
populations
.
Dissolved Dissolved Sufficient There was Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
Oxygen oxygen tells us dissolved no provided one) one)
Ocean, the level of oxygen way to test Explain: Explain:
pond, free oxygen sustains all this (either
stream, gas aerobic in the kit or
lake incorporated in aquatic life. in the lab
water will water and Levels below directions
not be available to 3-4 ppm with a
accurate organisms for severely limit water
due to respiration. It habitat. Low sample).
BOD but is measured in oxygen from
take it mg/L or parts algal blooms,
anyway. per million erosion,
(ppm). waste
influxes or
chemical
dumps causes
lethal
conditions
forcing
species
migration.
This disrupts
ecosystems.
Turbidity Turbidity Turbid water There was Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
measures water has greatly no provided one) one)
clarity from reduced light way to test Explain: Explain:
 suspended penetration this (either
inorganic and impacting in the kit or
organic aquatic in the lab
particles like plants. directions
sediment, algae Smothered with a
and microbes. reef and lake water
Higher bottoms sample).
turbidity destroy
indicates insect, plant
pollution from and microbial
runoff and biodiversity -
waste devastating
treatment food chains.
effluents. Suspended
solids can
also clog fish
gills leading
to death.
Conducti Conductivity It correlates There was Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
vity quantifies to pollutant no provided one) one)
ionically levels from way to test Explain: Explain:
dissolved effluent this (either
inorganic pipes, urban in the kit or
chemicals like runoff and in the lab
chlorides, industrial directions
nitrates, waste with a
sulfides and contaminatin water
potassium g water sample).
which alter bodies.
water’s ability Changes in
to conduct conductivity
electricity. indicate
spikes in
pollution
requiring
mediation to
protect
ecosystems.
Salinity Salinity Most aquatic There was Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
measures the life functions no provided one) one)
dissolved salt properly way to test Explain: Explain:
content within this (either
composed specific in the kit or
mainly of salinity in the lab
chloride, ranges based directions
 sodium, on adapted with a
sulfate, tolerances. water
magnesium Fluctuations sample).
and calcium in salinity due
ions. It is to drought,
checked in rainfall, tides
estuaries, or pollution
oceans, and stress
organisms like organisms.
mollusks. Significant
spikes cause
ecosystem
damage by
altering
reproductive
cycles, food
resources,
biodiversity
and migratory
patterns.
Total Total hardness Hardness There was Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
Hardness measures levels impact no provided one) one)
positive the way to test Explain: Explain:
divalent ions biodiversity this (either
including that an in the kit or
calcium, aquatic in the lab
magnesium, system can directions
iron, zinc and support. High with a
manganese hardness water
originating causes toxic sample).
from buildup in
sedimentary fish gills,
rocks, soils and skins and
minerals. organs over
Industrial time. It also
effluents also reduces
contribute dissolved
hardness. oxygen levels
while making
pipes and
appliances
prone to scale
buildup
without
treatment.
 Copper The copper test Even small There was Y/N (circle Y/N (circle
(Heavy detects amounts of no provided one) one)
Metal) dissolved copper way to test Explain: Explain:
Test copper levels accumulate in this (either
which may aquatic in the kit or
enter water organisms in the lab
bodies from causing directions
mining, cellular, with a
electronics enzyme and water
production, organ damage sample).
machining, if left
plating, unchecked.
pesticides, At high
antifouling enough
paints and concentration
motor oil. s, immediate
fish kills
occur. Since
copper does
not degrade,
it persists and
concentrates
up the food
web,
threatening
entire
ecosystems if
hotspots are
not contained.
* I googled up acceptable EPA standards for other types of contaminants other than nitrate
and nitrite (because those were found in the provided resources in the lab directions)
Analysis Discussion:

WQI Data Table

A B C D
Test Result Unit Q-Value Weighting Subtotal
(look at the Factor (q-value x
provided (a constant) weighing
graph: factor)
http://s3.am
azonaws.co
m/chicagori
ver/rich/rich
_files/rich_fi
les/1264/ori
ginal/q-valu
e-20analysis
.pdf)
Temperature 7 Celsius 61 0.11 6.71
Change
pH 7 pH unit ≈ 88 0.11 9.68
Turbidity 70 NTU ≈ 29 0.08 2.32
Total Solids 300 mg/L ≈ 59 0.07 4.13
Dissolved Oxygen 75 % 81 0.17 13.77
saturation
5-Day Biological 15 mg/L 20 0.11 2.2
Oxygen Demand
(BOD)
Total Phosphate 3 mg/L ≈ 20 0.10 2
PO4-P
Nitrates 20 mg/L ≈ 37 0.10 3.7
NO3-N
Fecal Coliform 5 CFU/100 ≈ 80 0.16 12.8
mL
WQI Score: 57.31 total

*add all the

test scores
together
1. The weighting factors indicate that pH, dissolved oxygen, and fecal coliform bacteria are
the most important parameters for evaluating water quality in Deer Run stream. These
factors likely carry higher weights because pH and dissolved oxygen have direct impacts
on aquatic organism health, while fecal coliform bacteria pose health risks to human
users.
2. Factors that could contribute to the WQI score include temperature, turbidity, total
phosphates, nitrates, and flow rate. All these parameters give insights into pollution levels
and ecosystem stability.
3. The Clean Water Act regulates surface water quality, setting standards for contaminant
levels and requiring wastewater discharge permits. The Safe Drinking Water Act
specifically covers tap/public drinking water safety for human consumption.
4. No, the water in Deer Run stream is not safe for humans to drink directly. The fecal
coliform bacteria count of 540 per 100 mL exceeds the EPA limit of 200 per 100 mL for
potable water, indicating sewage contamination. Additionally, the nitrate level of 12 ppm
is beyond the 10 ppm drinking standard.
5. It is very likely that the farm is the source of the elevated nitrate and phosphate levels
downstream, since the concentrations spike near the farm but are normal both upstream
and further downstream. This localized concentration gradient indicates a point source of
agricultural runoff contamination. The excess nutrients would likely decrease dissolved
oxygen downstream through eutrophication and algal blooms.
Conclusion (required as a part of part I):

The purpose of this lab was to test the water quality of a pond to evaluate if it meets
drinking standards. The original prediction was that due to the geological conditions (the bedrock
that was under the water body) that the water sample will likely be acidic. Another part of the
hypothesis was that the other test results (such as the nitrite test result) will be under safe ranges
as the pond is away from pollution sources. Part I was proven incorrect as even though the pH
was slightly acidic (6.6 pH), the EPA still approves it as drinkable water; Part II was proven
correct as the pond didn’t have much of the contaminants – making the water safe for human
consumption. This is quite surprising because even though it was expected that the
contamination levels would fall under safe ranges, it was never expected that almost all of them
would be 0 ppm; this raises the importance of whether the pond is maintained.

Moving on, while the low pH aligned with the hypothesis, the full ecological impacts
require further study through additional biodiversity assessments and toxicity testing on aquatic
life. Testing water from more locations around the pond could also improve representativeness,
since variability across microenvironments may affect results.

Lastly, Potential sources of error could include inaccurate color analysis on the test strip
comparisons, mixing the water samples improperly with the testing reagents, or collecting the
initial water from a non-representative site in the pond. To improve the experiment, testing water
from multiple locations around the pond would control for variability and provide a more
representative sample. Further tests could examine additional metals and mineral content related
to the surrounding rock types. Overall, the results confirm that natural geological sources
influence the pH of the secluded pond water as hypothesized.
 References

Chicago River Schools Network Q-value Analysis Chart. (n.d.).

http://s3.amazonaws.com/chicagoriver/rich/rich_files/rich_files/1264/original/q-value-20

analysis.pdf

Document Display (PURL) | NSCEP | US EPA. (n.d.). US EPA . Retrieved February 29, 2024,

from https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=00001NPM.TXT

Health Effects Information, Department of Human Services Oregon Department of Human

Services Environmental Toxicology Section (971) 673-0440 Drinking Water Section (971)

673-0405 AMMONIA. (2000). Oregon Department of Human Services.

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater/Monitoring/Docu

ments/health/ammonia.pdf

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations | US EPA. (2018, March 22). US Environmental

Protection Agency.

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-r

egulations

Young, E. (2021, September 1). Phosphate Levels in Water and How to Protect Your Health |

RO-System.org. RO-SYSTEM.org.

https://www.ro-system.org/phosphate-levels/#:~:text=For%20natural%20reservoirs%20u

sed%20by