Common Water Impurities Present in Water

Water is the other name of life. One cannot imagine what would happen to civilization and

mankind without waters existence. Even than we can see that there are many impurities present in water. Some of these impurities are the intrinsic property of the source itself and are present in

the water since its origin from that particular source; on the other hand some of the following

enlisted impurities are introduced in the water after its origin. Among these impurities, some are

introduced because of our day to day activities like from factories and industries as well as some

are introduced in the water source by cattle, livestock and other animals.

Some of impurities present in water are:

1. Microorganisms

Includes: Bacteria, fungi and algae are found in most surface waters.

Measured with: Bacteria are measured by culturing a sample and counting the colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml).

2. Chemical Impurities

Includes: Salts of Chromium, Barium and Selenium and their presence in ppm (parts per million) more than a fixed amount can lead to deadly consequences, Hexavalent chromium,

fluorides and mercury, Fluorides are often applied to tread water, but can present in toothpastes.

3. Dissolved Gases

CO2 dissolves in water to form weakly acidic carbonic acid (H2CO3). This gas can be measured

with a conductivity/resistivity meter. CO2 is only removed by strong base anion exchange resins.

Oxygen is the most common non-ionized gas and is monitored with oxygen sensing electrodes.

Oxygen may cause corrosion of metal surfaces and is removed by anion exchange resins in the

sulfide form.

4. Colloids

Range: Colloidal particles range in size from 0.01 - 1.0 micron and can be either organic or inorganic.

Measurement: They are quantified by measuring the rate that water blocks a submicron filter.

5. Animal Waste

Animal waste is similar to human waste but they contain a bigger plethora of impurities. Animal

waste can get into water naturally or by civilization.

6. Hard Metals

Hard metals like Calcium and Magnesium lead to the hardness of the water and cause what we

know as hard water. When dissolved in water these metals split into Ca++ and Mg++ ions that

account for the hardness of the water.

7. Heavy Metals

Includes: Iron, Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic etc.

8. Suspended Impurities

Includes: Sand, silt, clay and other suspended particles cause water to be turbid.

Measured with: In laboratory they are measured with a turbidity meter which passes a beam of light through water and measures the mount of light scattered by the suspended particles.

9. Human Waste

Includes: Defecation, wastes from unused food and materials, plastic wastes and other suspended matter.

There are many impurities present in water and thats why its not safe to drink tap water.

Thanks to all testing lab, those provide us all the details regarding the safe water as well as help

us to be healthy. Nowadays we can see that there are many testing labs like Arbro

Pharmaceuticals (testing-lab.com) those take concern of us and provide us all the necessary

details.