Water and Wastewater Analysis
Water and Wastewater Analysis
Water analysis combines field measurements and laboratory tests to characterize source water, drinking water, process water, wastewater and receiving-water samples.
## 1. Define the analytical objective Identify the sample type, process or water body, applicable permit or guideline, expected concentration range and decision the data must support. The objective determines the parameters, sampling design, preservation and analytical methods.
## 2. Common analytical parameters | Parameter | What it indicates | Common method family / instrument | |—|—|—| | pH | Acidity / alkalinity | Electrometric pH meter | | Electrical conductivity (EC) | Ionic content indicator | Conductivity meter | | Total dissolved solids (TDS) | Dissolved material | Gravimetric method or validated meter estimate | | Turbidity | Optical scattering by suspended particles | Nephelometric turbidimeter | | Dissolved oxygen (DO) | Oxygen available in water | Optical or electrochemical probe; titrimetric method | | Total suspended solids (TSS) | Filter-retained solids | Filtration and gravimetry | | BOD₅ | Biodegradable oxygen demand over defined incubation | Incubation and DO measurement | | COD | Chemically oxidizable matter | Dichromate digestion and measurement | | Chloride | Chloride concentration | Titrimetric or ion chromatography method | | Hardness | Mainly calcium and magnesium | EDTA titration or instrumental method |
## 3. Match the test to the sample Influent wastewater may require dilution and a wider analytical range than treated effluent. Drinking-water samples may require microbiological parameters and disinfectant residuals in addition to routine physicochemical tests. Receiving-water studies may require upstream/downstream comparisons and seasonal context.
## 4. Analytical sequence Review sample identity and condition, prepare the required aliquot, perform method-specific digestion or dilution, analyze with calibration and QC checks, calculate results, validate and report with units and method references.
## 5. Result interpretation Check units, dilution factors, reporting limits, sample representativeness, holding times and QC acceptance. Compare results only with criteria that apply to that sample type, discharge point and regulatory context.