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Hands-On Water Quality
Assessment For Everyone!
By
Dr. Birgit Hagedorn University of Alaska Anchorage
&
Edda Mutter University of Alaska Fairbanks
Water Quality
 Different levels:
– Drinking - Potable Water
– None-Potable Water
 Recreational Water
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
– Drinking Water Standards
Water Monitoring
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Seasonal Changes
Snowmelt
Droughts
Summer Rain Events
Freeze-up
Water Sources
 Surface Water
– Stream
– Lakes
 Groundwater
 Rain & Snowmelt Water
Water Characteristics
 Physical, Chemical, and Biological
– Natural and Anthropogenic
Physical Characteristics
 Temperature
– Chemical and biological Implication
 Odor-Taste
 Particulate and Sediment Load
– Glacial & Sediment-Rich Water
– Burn and Road Dust
 Surface and Rainwater
– Filtration
Chemical Characteristics
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pH
Salt Content
Oxygen Concentration
Alkalinity - Hardness
– Within specific range for drinking water
standard
– Implication of other chemical and
biological
processes
Biological Characteristics
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Biological Oxygen Demand
Microorganisms such as bacteria
Plants and Algae
Macroorganisms such as larvae, fish and
clams
Contaminants
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Natural Contaminants
- Geology
Metals
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Anthropogenic
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Mining
Solid Waste
Honey Bucket Waste
pH - Values
 Tells you how acidic or basic water is
 Range 0-14 pH
– Acidic water < pH 7
– Basic water > pH 7
 Natural water range of pH is 5-8
– pH 5.5 common for rainwater
– ~ pH 8 in limestone water
– Drinking water range of pH is 6 to 8.5
Alkalinity
 Ability of a solution to neutralize acids
 Measurements
– Total Alkalinity (EPA regulated in terms of
total dissolved solids 500 mg/L)
– Phosphorus
– Nitrate
Alaska (DEC)
Water Quality Standards
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Iron 0.3 mg/L
pH 6.0-8.5
Temperature < than 15 degrees Celsius
Total Dissolved Solids 500 mg/L
Chloride 250 mg/L
Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.) > than 7 mg/L
Ammonia 30 mg/L
Copper 1.0 mg/L