Water quality testing is primarily done for ecological and health purposes

An Overview of Water Quality Testing

Water testing is a general description for a number of methods employed to test water quality. Every type of water testing may have a slightly different method, but they all result in the measurement and evaluation of the quality of the water being tested. Thousands of water quality test are performed every day to uphold environmental protection and to meet regulatory standards. In large urban areas, water testing is mandatory, because water supplies can not be expected to meet municipal standards without testing.

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Water quality testing is primarily done for ecological and health purposes. It is done to determine the presence and the level of contaminants in water sources that can affect aquatic life and human health. Water testing also helps in tracking the development of certain species. The results of such tests are used for regulating and managing water sources, both on an environmental and a regulatory level. Regular testing helps in protecting water sources from pollution and contamination as a result of natural events and other external factors.

There are many water quality testing methods available. The most common one is the non-invasive testing of surface water by using water borne sensors. This involves the use of specialised instruments for taking surface water samples. Other methods include tank testing, which requires the use of large tanks for holding samples of water, and wet wells, which are usually installed below ground. Samples are analyzed for microorganisms, chemistry, color, and detections of contaminants using state of the art analytical instruments.