Water, an essential, tasteless, and odorless component, is fundamental to life and continuously cycles through nature. During this cycle, various types of water are formed. Terms such as rain, snow, spring water, seawater, groundwater, surface water, wastewater, drinking and utility water, pool water, freshwater, and saltwater all inherently involve water.
Introduction to Water Analysis
When water analysis is mentioned, it primarily refers to surface water analysis within the context of environmental legislation. This encompasses the analysis of rivers, streams, lakes, and dam waters. Water analysis is conducted under the Regulation on the Control of Pollution Caused by Hazardous Substances in Water and its Surroundings. Although this regulation is prominent, parameters from the Regulation on Water for Human Consumption are also commonly used for analyzing fountain, bottled, spring, well, and tap water. Water analysis may be required under different regulations for various purposes. Additionally, individuals and companies may conduct water analysis based on their concerns for control purposes.
In society, the perception of water analysis is generally singular and straightforward. When water analysis is mentioned, the first thought is usually the analysis of drinking, well, and utility water.
Classification of Water Analysis
Salinity One of the main criteria in categorizing water is salinity. The methods for analyzing saltwater and freshwater can differ significantly. Salinity is an important criterion, especially when analyzing ionic compounds, as salt becomes even more critical.
Pollution Drinking water, utility water, spring water, and river waters are generally clean, requiring more precise measurements and sensitive devices for analysis. This means smaller values need to be read. In wastewater samples, pollutants can be more easily detected, with higher values to be checked, making the analysis relatively easier. However, concentrated samples pose a challenge, necessitating dilution during the analysis. For example, leachate from waste is concentrated and has a high pollution load.
How is Water Analysis Conducted?
When water analysis is mentioned, one might think of a single result determining whether the water is drinkable. However, water analysis is a general term encompassing numerous separate analyses. Water analyses can be grouped into physical, chemical (organic and inorganic), and microbiological (bacteriological) categories, each with different methods.
Before starting the analysis, an important step for ensuring result reliability is the proper collection and preservation of the water sample according to standards. It is also essential to have a rough understanding of the water’s content, with the source being a crucial indicator. Water can be collected from the sea, lake, tap, wastewater treatment plant, or well, providing initial insights based on the collection site.
Physical Water Analysis Parameters
Some of the physical water analysis parameters include:
- Temperature
- pH
- Dissolved oxygen
- Oxygen saturation
- Light transmittance
- Color
Chemical Water Analysis Parameters
Chemical water analysis parameters are numerous. The parameters to be analyzed are selected based on the purpose, and the analysis is conducted accordingly. Parameters are generally divided into organic and inorganic categories. Some chemical water analysis parameters include:
- Heavy metals
- Ions
- Radioactivity
- COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)
- BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)
- Phenols
Microbiological Water Analysis Parameters
Some of the microbiological parameters are:
- Escherichia coli
- Staphylococci
- Fecal coliform
- Total coliform
- Legionella and other aerobic bacteria
- Clostridia and other anaerobic bacteria
The analysis methods for the determined parameters can vary. Some results can be obtained solely using devices, while others require a series of processes. For example, for pH measurement, the device probe is immersed in water, and the result can be read within a few minutes. However, for COD analysis, the sample is taken, various chemicals are added, placed in a heater, and after 2-3 hours, a titration process is performed on the sample, with the result calculated using a formula.
