The environmental problem of deterioration in water quality is becoming wider every day. Control over this area is carried out by special services. But an express analysis of water can be performed at home. The stores sell special devices and kits for this procedure. Read more about this in the article.
What kind of water do we drink?
Water chlorination has been used since the 19th century in England after an outbreak of cholera. Since that time, disinfection has become ubiquitous. Now many people do not know what we drink and whether it is safe.
Chlorinated water has its own advantage: thanks to its use, the epidemics of dysentery, cholera and typhoid have decreased. But since the 1970s, scientists have discovered an increase in the number of patients with diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and oncology. It was believed that this is due to salts of heavy metals, which even with filters are present in water. Now doctors claim that chlorinated water is the alleged cause of disease.
Such a liquid is saturated with free radicals. These are unstable molecules with an odd number of electrons. They negatively affect the cells of the body. This process is similar to a chain reaction. After invading the cell, the components destroy it, creating the same.
Active chlorine has a disinfecting effect and eliminates harmful bacteria. But also useful microflora is eliminated, without which there is no normal life of the body. People cannot completely abandon chlorinated water, but in their power to minimize the negative impact.
Protected water is excellent for a person. It must be left for 3 days in a freely open container, and it will be saturated with oxygen, which is the main weapon from harmful radicals. No less important is what kind of liquid is used for bathing and washing hair. It is better to pour water in glass containers.
Quality
Rapid analysis for iron in water and other components is carried out to determine the quality of the liquid. Typically, the check occurs according to the following parameters:
- Color. It determines the presence of iron and other metals. On a special scale, drinking water cannot be higher than 20 °.
- Turbidity. Indicates the presence of finely divided suspensions, insoluble components. It is expressed in the presence of sediment, suspended solids, in transparency.
- Smell. It is associated with smelling substances that enter water through drains. Almost all liquid, organic components have a specific smell.
- Taste. The rating of this parameter is determined on a 5-point scale.
- Chemical components. The degree of pollution is determined by the depth of the fence, the seepage of effluents. Small wells, wells, springs are considered dangerous.
- The hardness of drinking water indicates the presence of calcium and magnesium, which become insoluble salts. It should not be higher than 7 mmol / liter.
- Dry sediment. The characteristic shows the concentration of organic components and dissolved inorganic salts. Dry sediment should be 1000 mg / liter.
- Hydrogen pH. Shows alkaline and acidic background. It is important that the indicator is 6-9 units.
Purpose of the procedure
In Russia, there is almost no control over the installation of water supply systems. As a result, many of them do not meet sanitary standards and requirements. Therefore, low-quality water comes in, which negatively affects human health. For this purpose, an express analysis of water is performed in apartments, country houses, wells, wells.
Specialists perform liquid analysis in 2 stages: bacteriological and physicochemical. The first is required to detect the presence of pathogens, and the second to determine stiffness, turbidity, color, chemical composition.
When is it necessary to perform rapid water analysis? This is usually required with:
- A significant change in color, smell, taste.
- Construction facilities near the house.
- Buying a land plot on which there is an external source, for example, a well.
- The presence of a septic tank in the area of neighbors.
- Resuming use of a well or well with the end of winter.
In any of these situations, you need to call specialists or buy a kit for express water analysis and perform a test. If inconsistencies in any parameters were identified during an independent procedure, professional assistance is still required.
Main methods
There are several methods for rapid analysis of the quality of drinking water. These include:
- Titrimetry.
- Spectrophotometry
- Gas chromatography.
- Potentiometry.
- Turbidimetry
- Conductometry.
- Nephelometry.
Each method has its pros and cons. It is advisable to perform the first procedure in different laboratories. Then you can compare the results. During the sampling of water, care must be taken, because air must not enter it.
Event Features
There are established standards for tap and drinking water:
- Standard 534152-2009, due to which material is sampled.
- SanPin No. 2.1.4.1074-02 defines the standards for the characteristics of hot and cold water.
- The quality of drinking water in bottles is established on the basis of SanPin No. 2.1.4.1116-02.
- General quality parameters are approved in SanPin No. 2.1.4.1116-01.
The regional sanitary and epidemiological stations, private companies that have their own laboratories and permits for such work are responsible for the analysis of water. Quality analysis involves the implementation of several types of research. The assessment of technological and toxicological characteristics. If there are violations, the organization makes demands that must be made on time, and also advises firms involved in such work.
Checking fluid from a well
Rapid analysis consists of an estimate of the amount of nitrogen and compounds. This parameter indicates the general water pollution. Additionally, the determination of the content of nitrates, ammonium nitrogen, oil products and nitrites is carried out.
The results of the event are recorded in the analysis form to resolve violations. If a detailed analysis is performed, additional studies are carried out. For example, the presence of phosphates, sulfates, chlorides and other chemical components is determined. The presence of heavy metals and radionuclides is also established. In addition to chemical components, bacteriological agents may be present. The number of microbes, coliforms is established.
Devices
Usually used devices from Chemetricks, located in America. In addition, there are reagents that determine the quality characteristics quite accurately.
There are several devices:
- Multiparameter V-2000 photometer is a device equipped with an LCD monitor. The photometer performs a high-precision test on 50 different characteristics. Inside there are ampoules that make self-filling. The device is safe.
- Portable turbidimeter is in demand in the chemical and food industries.
- A monoparamatic SAM photometer determines the presence of a concentrated component in a liquid.
- A pH meter determines the activity of hydrogen ions present in water.
- TDS meter. It is used when it is necessary to determine the number of soluble solid components. TDS meter is one of the common devices.
Conclusion
Special devices for determining water quality are convenient to use. They are compact, accurate, safe, simple. Almost every one of them can be used at home. The main thing is to follow the instructions.