Benguet State University

College of Engineering Department

La Trinidad, Benguet
A.Y 2024-2025

WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS

Tristan Andrew U. Vidal

Student
BSABE 1A

Mrs. Crislyn Akilit Bayawa

Professor
November 2024
 Introduction
Water Parameter

 The physical, chemical, and biological properties of water are described by measurable quantities
known as water quality parameters. The quality of water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial activities
is evaluated using these characteristics.

Types of Parameters

Temperature

 Temperature of water is one of its most basic properties, and many other parameters depend on
temperature for accuracy. With temperature data, we can monitor thermal loading or discharge
and determine changes in the thermocline, which affect the health of aquatic species and organisms.
Many aquatic organisms are sensitive to high temperatures. The solubility of oxygen is lower in warmer
water, thus limiting oxygen supply.

Salinity

 Since crops, animals, and aquatic life all flourish at varying salinity levels, it is crucial to measure the
salinity, or the amount of dissolved salt, in water. Seawater has an average salinity of 35 parts per
thousand, whereas freshwater has a salinity value of less than 0.5 parts per thousand.
pH

 pH measurement is an important parameter in nearly every water quality application. In wastewater

treatment, pH is regulated as part of discharge permitting and many treatment processes are pH
dependent. In environmental sampling and monitoring, high or low pH values can be indicative of
pollution.

Turbidity

 Turbidity is the measurement of water clarity (transparency). Suspended particles such as silt, algae,
plankton, and sewage – can cause water to appear cloudy or murky. These particles scatter and
absorb light rays rather than allowing light to be transmitted straight through the water. A higher
turbidity reading represents cloudier and ‘thicker’ water with more particles throughout. When water is
clear, it has low turbidity levels.

Dissolved Oxygen (D.O)

 DO is gaseous, molecular oxygen in the form of O2 originating from the atmosphere or as a byproduct
of photosynthesis. Once dissolved in water, it is available for use by living organisms and can play a
significant role in many chemical processes in the aquatic environment. Besides being dissolved in
water, this oxygen is no different from the oxygen we breathe.

Nutrient
  A measurement for the amount of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, in water. Despite the
fact too much of these nutrients can upset ecosystems and result in hazardous algal blooms, they are
necessary for plant growth.

Phosphate

 Phosphorus, one of the five main elements of living organisms, is essential to organic life. Although
elemental phosphorus rarely exists naturally, it does occur in several other forms, mainly as
phosphates. Orthophosphate (PO43-) is the soluble form of phosphate and is a naturally occuring ion
within water. This form is readily available for uptake by photosynthetic organisms but is most
commonly found in low concentrations in natural waterways. Other types of phosphate are bound in
living or decaying organic material or within sediments and soils.

Faecal Coliform
 Fecal coliform bacteria are commonly found in animal and human feces, and are used as an indicator
of possible sewage contamination. Although they are not usually harmful on their own, they can
indicate the presence of other disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoans.

Aquatic macroinvertebrates
 Aquatic macroinvertebrates are a common biological indicator of water quality because they are
sensitive to changes in water quality, habitat conditions, and flow regime. These invertebrates are
large enough to be seen with the naked eye and include snails, prawns, crayfish, mussels, and insects
like dragonflies, damselflies, and mayflies

Materials and Methods

Materials:

 Lab Gown
 Gloves
 Erlenmeyer Flask
 Centrifuge Tube
 Pipette
 Laminar Hood
 Filter Funnel
 Manifold
 Tweezers
 Cellulose Filter
 Vacuum
 1:1000 Dilution
 1:100 Dilution
 1:10 Dilution
Methods:

Day 1

1. Make a Dilution

A laminar hood will be used to prepare the dilution. Following that, be careful to shake the sample with
your hands. Fill the centrifuge with sterile water, then use a pipette to collect the dilution. Release the
water sample into sterile water using the pipette. The centrifuge tube should then be placed on the
mixer to concentrate the sample. For the remaining dilution, repeat the procedure.

2. Place sterile onto sterile funnel

Unwrapping the sterile glass funnel and putting the filter funnel together is the first step. Fit the funnel
into the manifold securely. Before using the tweezers, unwrap the cellulose filter and place the tip over
the Bunsen burner. Using the tweezers, grasp the filter and insert it into the funnel, allowing it to move
upward.

3. Add dilution to the funnel

Start with the most diluted sample which is the 1:100. Insert the new sterile pipette tip to get sample.
Use the pipette to sanction 1mL of dilution. Place the pipette over the manifold and release 1 mL of
dilution onto the filter. Repeat the steps to the other dilutions.

4. Filter the dilution

Turn on the vacuum to filtrate the dilutions

5. Place filtered Dilution onto agar plates

Use a tweezers to remove the filter from the funnel and place the filter on agar plate. Gently place the
filter with tweezer. Label the plate with the dilution and sample identification. Attach the lid and invert
the plate. Repeat the same process with the rest of dilution.

6. Incubate the Agar Plates

Place the plates in the incubator and incubate it for 24 hours at 35

Day 2

1. Select Agar Plates