Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Taste and Odor
Solubility
Color
Physical
Parameters
Temperature
Turbidity
pH
Solids
Alkalinity
Hardness
Figure 7.1
Physical or general water parameters.
parameters or characteristics we can use to define the physical water quality
of a particular water supply (any water supply). One such category includes
the physical characteristics of water—those detectable by the senses of smell,
taste, sight, and touch. Taste and odor, color, temperature, turbidity, and sol-
ids fall into this category (see
Figure 7.1
). These physical characteristics are
also rather obvious, maybe not as obvious as water's being wet but just as
important.
Because we discuss in this chapter the physical characteristics relevant
to drinking water evaluation and the analysis of water found in nature as
potential or actual sources of water supplies, we must include some physi-
cal characteristics of water that are perhaps not so obvious. In the sections
that follow, we address the typical, traditional physical parameters of taste
and odor, color, temperature, turbidity, and solids, but, as shown in
Figure
7.1
, this chapter also includes discussion about pH and solubility. Alkalinity
and hardness are compared, although they can also be considered chemical
parameters. Finally, because of the importance of pH in water treatment, we
review the basic concepts of water solubility.
DID YoU KNoW?
1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 128 fluid ounces = 231 cubic inches
