Water quality monitoring

1. Water Quality Monitoring and Standards,
Sampling, Preservation, Transportation
Techniques
Arjesh Sharma
Sr. Manager
Pollution Control Research Institute
BHEL, HARIDWAR – 249 403
arjesh@bhelhwr.co.in

2. Water
 Water constitutes one of the important
components in the life of man
 Water has a direct bearing on health
 In order to be used as healthful fluid for human
consumption, water must be free from :
 Organisms that are capable of causing disease
 Minerals and organic substances that could produce
adverse physiological effects

3. Water
 Drinking water should be
 Aesthetically acceptable
 Free from apparent Turbidity, Colour, Odour & any
objectionable taste
 Drinking water also should have a reasonable
temperature
 Water meeting these conditions is termed as
“Potable” - may be consumed in any desired
amount without concern for adverse effect on
health

4. Water Source Selection
 The selection of a water supply source involves a
review of the alternative sources available and
their respective characteristics. Factors to
consider when selecting a water supply source
include :
 Safe Yield
 Water Quality
 Collection Requirements (intake structures, wells etc.)
 Treatment Requirements
 Transmission and Distribution Requirements

5. Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance
 Department of Health
 Department of Social Welfare
 Jal Sansthan
 Jal Nigam
 Rural Development Department
 Panchayats
 The Swajal Project
 Schools/Colleges/Medical/Technical Institutes
 NGOs

6. Laboratory Infrastructure
 Laboratory control in water quality management is
indispensable
 A Well Arranged and Adequately Equipped
analytical laboratory with Competent Analysts is
an important and integral part of any water quality
monitoring and surveillance programme
 Results of laboratory analysis are essential for
evaluation of efficiency of water treatment system
 The laboratory infrastructure depend on the level
of analysis desired, location and other support
available.

7. Types of Laboratory
 Level – I (Village Level)
 Bacteriological Identification, Field Test Kits
 Level – II (District Level)
 Chemical & Bacteriological Examination
 Level – III (State Level)
 Special analysis for metals, pesticides and organics
 Analytical Quality Control
 Data analysis and information transfer
 Assist District Level laboratories
 Policy formulation

8. Objectives of Water Quality Sampling
 To obtain reliable and useful data
 To assess the impact of human activities on
Water quality and its suitability
 To determine the quality of water in its natural
state
 To keep under observation the sources and
pathways of pollutants/contamination

9. Factors Influencing Source Water Quality
 Natural Factors
 Climate
 Watershed characteristics
 Geology
 Microbial growth
 Fire

10. Factors Influencing Source Water Quality
 Human Factors
 Point :
 Wastewater/Industrial discharge
 Hazardous waste facilities
 Mine drainage
 Spills and releases
 Nonpoint :
 Agricultural runoff
 Livestock
 Urban runoff
 Land development
 Landfills
 Erosion
 Recreation activities

11. Location of Sampling
 The sample taken be representative of the source
 Sampling point should be uniformly distributed
throughout the system
 The sampling point should include the conditions
at most unfavorable places in the system
 There should be at least one sampling point
directly after the clean water outlet from each
plant
 At least one sample be taken from farthest Stand
Post

12. Types of Samples
 Grab or Catch Samples
 Composite Samples
 Integrated Samples
Generally for drinking water quality monitoring,
Grab Samples are taken

13. Collection of Water Samples
 Meaningful and reliable sampling assures correct
laboratory results
 Minimum time between the time of collection and
conducting water analysis
 For Chemical examination - Adequate care is
required through proper preservation that would
be parameter specific
 For Biological examination - Extreme care be
taken during sample collection & its preservation

14. Requirement for Biological Analysis
 Frequency to ensure seasonal variations of water
quality to be investigated
 Samples to be collected, stored and dispatched in
suitable sterilized bottles
 The quantity of water collected be adequate
enough for analysis

15. Requirement for Biological Analysis
 Utmost care be taken during sampling to avoid
contamination of sample being collected
 In order to prevent significant alteration in the
characteristics of sample prior to analysis, the
sample be dispatched to the laboratory under
iced condition as soon as possible
 The details of the sample be clearly described and
the sample bottles properly labeled to avoid any
error

16. Sample Containers
 Should be free from contamination
 Should not change the water characteristics
 Should not make any reaction with the water
 Should contain adequate quantity for analysis

17. Sample Containers
Chemical Analysis
 Colourless/White plastic jerricans
Bacteriological Analysis
 Sterilized glass bottles with glass stopper
 Sterilization in autoclave at 1 kg/cm2 for 15 minutes
 Samples with residual chlorine be dechlorinated for
Bacteriological analysis

18. Sampling Procedure
 Sampling Bottle/Container be opened only when
it is required for filling
 The bottle should be held from the base while
filling
 Bottle should not be filled completely
 Some space be left for air to facilitate shaking
before analysis

19. Sampling Procedure
 Sampling of Hand Pump Water
 Water should be pumped for about 5 minutes before
filling the sample bottle
 Sampling of Water from a Tap
 Water should be allowed to run for 3 – 4 minutes or
more before filling the sample bottle
 For estimation of Total Residual Chlorine, farthest stand
post be considered for sampling
 Data sheet be filled and accompanied with
sample for analysis

20. Preservation and Storage of Samples
 The sample should be examine preferably within
one hour after collection
 This period, in on case should exceed 24 hours
 Efforts be made to keep the temperature of the
sample as close as possible to that of source
 Sample to be preserved in ice until analysis
(if sample can not be analyzed within 24 hours)
 For Bacteriological analysis, sample be analyzed
within 72 hours

21. Sample Preservation
 Temperature
 Should be measured in - situ
 Turbidity
 Best to measured in the field
 Sample can be stored in dark for 24 hours
 Settling during storage & change in pH lead to
precipitation, can affect the result during storage
 pH
 Should be measured in - situ
 pH is temperature dependent

22. Sample Preservation
 Hardness
 Sample be filtered
 If during storage, CaCO3 sediment appears, it must be
dissolved with small HCl after decanting the clear liquid
above the sediment
 Nitrate & Nitrite
 2 – 4 ml of chloroform be added to retard bacterial
decomposition
 Sample can be cooled and then stored at 3 – 4 ºC
 Ammonia
 Sample be deep frozen with 0.8 ml of H2SO4 per liter and
then stored at 4 ºC
 Prior to analysis, acid used be neutralised

23. Sample Preservation
 Sodium & Potassium
 Stored in plastic bottles
 Calcium
 Stored in plastic bottles
 If any CaCO3 precipitate form during storage, it must be
redissolved with HCl or HNO3 and then neutralised before
analysis
 Sulphate
 Can be stored in the refrigeration for upto 7 days
 Prolonged storage be avoided for polluted water
 Magnesium, Chloride & Fluoride
 No specific preservation required

24. Sample Preservation
 Sulphide
 Sample be fixed with cadmium acetate or Zinc acetate,
after which it can be stored upto 3 days in the dark
 Cyanide
 Highly active and unstable
 Preserved with sufficient NaOH to raise pH to 11 or more
and then stored at about 4 ºC
 Arsenic
 Preserved by adding Conc. HCl (12 N) @ 1 ml/L of sample

25. Sample Preservation
 Metals
 Pretreated by acidification prior to transportation to
suppress hydrolysis, sorption etc
 A very high degree of cleanliness in sampling handling
at all stages of collection and analysis is necessary to
avoid contamination and incorrect results

26. Sample Container & Preservation
Analysis Container Preservation
General Glass, PE 4 ºC, dark
BOD Glass, PE 4 ºC, dark
COD, NH3, NO2, NO3 Glass, PE H2SO4, pH < 2
Coliform Glass Sterilized 4 ºC, dark
Dissolved Oxygen BOD Bottle DO fixing chemicals
Fluoride PE None
Phosphate Glass None
Pesticides Glass, Teflon 4 ºC, dark
Toxic Metals Glass, PE HNO3, pH < 2

27. Frequency of Sampling
 Frequency of sampling is generally determined by
population served, size and type of system
 Properly developed source require less sample
frequency
 In summer, there is a greater risk of
contamination, due to low flow. After monsoon,
there is likelihood of greater pollution due to
surface run off.
 Ideally sampling be carried out in streams during
summers and again during the onset of monsoon.

28. Suggested Frequency of Sampling & Analysis
Source and
Mode of Supply
Bacteriological Physical/Chemical
Open Wells Every 7 days 4 times yearly
Covered wells and
shallow tube wells
with hand pumps
Every 15 days 4 times yearly
Deep tube wells
with hand pumps
As per requirement 4 times yearly

29. Suggested Frequency of Sampling & Analysis
Source and
Mode of Supply
Bacteriological Physical/Chemical
Wells and Piped
Supplies
As per requirement  4 times yearly
 Weekly for Residual
Chlorine
Spring and Piped
Supplies
As per requirement  4 times yearly
 Weekly for Residual
Chlorine
Surface Water
- Filtered and/or
chlorinated and
piped supplies
Once in a month  4 times yearly
 Daily for Residual
Chlorine

30. Uniform Protocol on Water Quality
Monitoring Order, 2005
 Applicable to all orgnisations, agencies and any
other body monitoring surface and ground water
quality for observance on uniform protocol on
water quality monitoring

31. Ground Water Monitoring
 The frequency of sampling in respect of ground
water shall be as follows :
 All stations shall be classified as Baseline stations
 20 – 25% of Baseline stations shall be classified as
Trend stations where there is a perceived problem.
 All agencies shall follow the sampling frequency and
parameters for analysis of ground water as mentioned in
the table :

32. Analysis of Ground Water samples
 Type of Station : Baseline
 Frequency : Twice a year (Pre & Post monsoon
season)
 Parameters :
 General : Colour, Odour, Temp., pH, EC, TDS
 Nutrients : Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate
 Demand Parameter : COD
 Major Ions : Sodium, Potassium, calcium, Magnesium,
Carbonate, Bi-carbonate, Chloride, Sulphate, Sodium &
SAR
 Other Inorganics : Fluoride, Boron and other location
specific parameters, if any

33. Analysis of Ground Water samples
 Type of Station : Trend
 Frequency : Twice a year (Pre & Post monsoon
season)
 Parameters :
 April – May : Analyze parameters as listed for Baseline
monitoring
 Other times : Analyze 14 parameters as listed below :
 General : Colour, Odour, Temp, EC, pH, TDS, % Na, SAR
 Nutrient : Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate
 Demand Parameters : COD
 Major Ions : Chloride
 Other inorganics : Fluoride, Boron
 Microbiological : TC & FC

34. Analysis of Ground Water samples
 Type of Station : Trend
 Parameters :
 Micro - pollutants (parameters may be selected based
on local need) :
 Pesticides : Alpha BHC, Beta BHC, Gamma BHC (Lindane),
OP – DDT, PP – DDT, Alpha Endosulphan, Beta
Endosulphan, Aldrin, Diedrin, 2, 4 – D, carbaryl (carbmte),
malathion, Methyl parathion, Anilphos, Chloropyriphos
 Toxic Metals : As, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Fe
 Pesticides and Toxic metals may be analysed once in a
year in pre – monsoon on selected locations)
 If COD value exceed 20 mg/L, the sample shall be
analysed for BOD also.

35. IS : 10500 - 1991
Indian Standard
Drinking Water - Specification

36. IS : 10500 : 1991
 Bacteriological Examination :
 Throughout any year, 95 % of samples should not
contain any coliform organisms in 100 mL
 No sample should contain E. Coli in 100 mL
 No sample should contain more than 10 coliform
organisms per 100 mL
 Coliform organisms should not be detectable in 100 mL
of any two consecutive samples
 If any coliform organisms are found, immediate
resampling be carried out. The repeated findings of 1 to
10 coliform organisms in 100 mL or the appearance of
higher numbers in individual sample suggests that
undesirable material is gaining access to the water and
measures should be taken to discover and remove
source of pollution.

37. Essential Characteristics
Parameter Desirable Limit Permissible Limit
Colour 5 25
Odour Unobjectionable -
Taste Agreeable -
Turbidity 5 10
pH 6.5 – 8.5 No relaxation
Total Hardness 300 600
Iron 0.3 1.0
Chloride 250 1000
Residual Free Chlorine 0.2 -
Fluoride 1.0 1.5

38. Desirable Characteristics
Parameter Desirable Limit Permissible Limit
Dissolved Solids 500 2000
Calcium 75 200
Magnesium 30 100
Copper 0.05 1.5
Manganese 0.1 0.3
Sulphate 200 400
Nitrate 45 No relaxation
Phenolic Compounds 0.001 0.002
Mercury 0.001 No relaxation
Cadmium 0.01 No relaxation
Selenium 0.01 No relaxation

39. Desirable Characteristics
Parameter Desirable Limit Permissible Limit
Arsenic 0.01 No relaxation
Cyanide 0.05 No relaxation
Lead 0.05 No relaxation
Zinc 5 15
Anionic Detergents 0.2 1.0
Chromium (as Cr+6) 0.05 No relaxation
Mineral Oil 0.01 0.03
Pesticides Absent 0.001
Alkalinity 200 600
Aluminum 0.03 0.2
Boron 1 5

40. Thank You