How will you go about determining the water quality? Water quality is determined by examining the indicators of pollution --- physical, chemical, and biological indicators (or parameters).

PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS:

The indicators of pollution

Pollution does not just go into water, but rather into aquatic ecosystems. The ability of a system to receive and assimilate waste is determined by the physical, chemical, and biological interactions within this system. These are the indicators we measure to determine levels of pollution. The response to pollution is a function of the characteristics of both the ecosystem and the nature and quantity of the waste.

Aquatic systems receive from natural and man-made sources a variety of organic and inorganic materials.

These materials through physical, chemical, and biological interaction are transported, rendered, converted, respired, incorporated, excreted, deposited, and in this way, assimilated by the system. However, not all aquatic systems can receive and assimilate the same quantity or kinds of waste materials. The capacity of each system to transform waste without damaging the system is due to complex environmental factors.

Some of the physical characteristics of a waterway that determine the ability of a system to receive and assimilate waste materials are: velocity and volume of water, bottom contour, rate of water exchange, currents, depth, light penetration, and temperature. Flowing systems (streams and rivers) are open systems with continual renewal of water, whereas standing waters (lakes, ponds and reservoirs) are closed systems and act as traps for pollutants.

The unique chemical characteristics of water help determine the kinds and quantities of waste a system may receive. Some of the important chemical characteristics are alkalinity, pH, and nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Because of synergistic or antagonistic interaction with receiving water, the effects of a waste on a wide variety of receiving systems are hard to predict (EPA, 1973).

The living components of the aquatic system can determine the extent it has been affected by pollutants. Several types of organisms may be used to assess the biological health of the system such as plankton, periphyton, macrophyton and macroinvertebrates.

Developing a monitoring (research) plan

First, you need a PLAN! A Research Plan, that is.
Water quality affects us all. How can you, as an individual, contribute to the solution? The first step is to develop a research plan by investigating the issues that affect your waterway. Find out all the information you can about your waterway --- the land uses in your watershed (the area around the water, which drains into it) can give you clues. Ask questions: what are the historical uses of the waterway, how is it used now, are there discharge sites, where is the watershed, what is the State's Water Quality Standard, what monitoring has been done already? From all this information, you can determine what questions you would like your water quality study to answer.

Where do I look for this information?

First identify the water body's classification by contacting your State department of environmental quality. Your State's Water Quality Standards classify waters within it according to their 'best use'. Each classification has a list of designated uses and values associated with it. For instance, in New York State, Class AA and A rivers and lakes are a source for drinking, while Class D waters are suitable for secondary contact recreation (boating, etc.). Your monitoring may determine whether the water meets the best use criteria. Existing water quality and other relevant data, such as soils, geology, land use, and weather (and assistance in interpreting such data), should be requested from appropriate agencies, such as:

• State water quality agency
• U.S. Geological Survey
• Local health department
• County planning department
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA
• Natural Resource Conservation Service, USDA
• Consolidated Farm Services Agency, USDA
• Extension Service
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Soil and Water Conservation District

How will you go about determining the water quality?

Water quality is determined by examining the indicators of pollution --- physical, chemical, and biological indicators (or parameters).

What methods and materials do you need to answer your questions about the quality of water in your stream, river, lake or pond? The results of all this hard work will be your Research Plan.