Water is an important part of daily life, from drinking and cooking to various other household activities. Considering the importance of water for living beings, the condition of water must be maintained to remain safe and uncontaminated.
Efforts to maintain water quality also involve implementing industrial wastewater treatment to ensure that water does not mix with substances that can degrade its quality.
By examining several water quality parameters, the condition of water can be analyzed from various aspects, such as physical, chemical, and biological properties. To find out the various water quality parameters, read this article to the end.
Types of Water Quality Parameters
Water quality assessment is carried out by examining several indicators that reflect the overall condition of the water. These indicators help illustrate whether the water remains in good condition or has changed.
In fact, researchers from IPB University stated that, in 2022, 10 of 34 Indonesian provinces still had a water quality index classified as poor due to various contaminants. In general, water quality parameters are divided into three main groups based on the type of testing, namely:
1. Physics
Physical water quality parameters are related to the condition of the water that can be directly observed. Some indicators included in the physical parameters of water quality are as follows:
a. Temperature
Water temperature helps determine the condition of the water and its surrounding environment. Temperature changes can affect many things, including water’s ability to dissolve substances dissolved in it.
If the water temperature is too high or too low, aquatic organisms may be disturbed. Under certain conditions, extreme temperature changes can even cause aquatic organisms to die and disrupt the balance of the aquatic ecosystem.
b. Conductivity
Conductivity indicates the ability of water to conduct an electric current. This ability is usually influenced by the amount of dissolved substances in the water, such as salts or minerals.
The more dissolved substances in the water, the higher its conductivity value will be. If the value is too high, it may indicate the presence of certain substances or contamination in the water.
c. Turbidity
Turbidity indicates the amount of small particles present in the water. These particles can be solid substances that are suspended in the water and make it appear cloudy.
If the water's turbidity or muddiness is high, it may indicate the presence of organic or inorganic particles.
d. Smell
The smell of water can indicate the presence of organic compounds. Changes in smell usually occur when certain substances are mixed in the water.
If the water has a strong odor, it may indicate the presence of bacteria or organic substances.
e. Color
The color of water can be measured using a spectrophotometer. This tool helps see the color level in the water more accurately.
Differences in water color can indicate the presence of certain substances, either organic or inorganic.
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2. Chemistry
Besides physical parameters, water quality is assessed using chemical parameters. This section is related to the content of substances or compounds present in the water. The presence of certain chemicals can affect the condition of the water and the life of organisms living in it.
Some indicators included in the chemical parameters of water quality are as follows:
a. COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)
This parameter indicates the amount of oxygen needed to break down organic compounds and chemicals present in the water.
If the value is high, it indicates that the water contains many organic compounds and chemicals that need to be broken down.
b. BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand)
BOD is a measure of the amount of oxygen required by bacteria to decompose organic compounds in water.
If the BOD value is high, it may indicate that the water contains a significant amount of organic matter.
c. Heavy Metal Content
The heavy metal content in water can be measured using a spectrophotometer. This device helps determine whether the water contains heavy metals.
If the concentration of heavy metals in the water is too high, it can harm aquatic organisms. Water containing heavy metals can also pose a health risk to humans if consumed.
d. Nitrate and Phosphate Content
The nitrate and phosphate content in water can indicate substances that promote algal growth.
If the levels are too high, algae can grow rapidly, making the water appear murkier. This condition can also affect water quality.
e. pH
pH is a measure that indicates the acidity or alkalinity of water. The pH value helps describe the condition of the water. That is why it is necessary to know whether the water is acidic, neutral, or alkaline.
If the water's pH is too high or too low, the organisms living in it can be disturbed. This condition can also impair aquatic organisms' ability to absorb the nutrients they need to survive.
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3. Biology
In addition to physical and chemical aspects, water quality can also be assessed using biological parameters. This section concerns the presence of microorganisms or biological conditions in water.
Some biological indicators can indicate whether water has the potential to become contaminated. One of the biological parameters of water quality is coliform bacteria.
Coliform bacteria are a group of bacteria that usually live in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. The presence of these bacteria is often used as a marker of water cleanliness.
If coliform bacteria are found in water, it may indicate that the water also contains other pathogenic bacteria that can cause disease.
Professional Solutions for Water Quality Management
Maintaining water quality helps water remain safe to use. Therefore, a water management solution is required to address water conditions based on water quality parameters, namely physical, chemical, and biological. With proper management, water conditions can be monitored and controlled to ensure they remain proper for daily use.
One application can be seen in the Krakatau Steel Building in Jakarta. In this building, a Water Recycling Plant (WRP) serves as a modern water treatment system that manages water from various building activities, especially from toilets, with a capacity of around 2 m³ per hour. After being processed through this system, the water can be reused for the building's cooling system, making water usage more efficient.
The WRP system was built and is managed by Krakatau Tirta Industri (KTI), an affiliate of Chandra Daya Investasi (CDI). Its management uses a Build, Operate, Own (BOO) scheme.
In the process, technologies such as Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) and Ion Exchange (decoloration) are used. These technologies help remove contaminants from water, improving its quality and making it suitable for reuse.
With proper management, water quality can be maintained, making its use more efficient while still supporting a better environment. Therefore, let’s maintain water quality by using water management solutions from Krakatau Tirta Industri, part of Chandra Daya Investasi, #YourGrowthPartner.
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