Factors Considered During Water Testing
by Adrian Martin
If you own a farm, you know that water is used in a variety of applications. Whether your water usage goes into irrigation, livestock watering or for drinking, it is pertinent to ensure that its quality is tested from time to time. This water testing enables you to make decisions pertaining to how you use it and what measures you need to take to ensure that it remains safe for consumption. Most farm owners will get their water supply from dugouts, wells or natural sources such as ponds and rivers. Monitoring the quality of this water plays an important role in ensuring that your sources are both reliable as well as safe. Here are some of the factors that are considered during water testing.
The turbidity of the water
The term turbidity makes reference to particulate matter that will be found suspended in a fluid. This particulate matter functions towards scattering the light beams that fall onto the fluid. To test for water turbidity, a light is shone onto the water to measure nephelometric turbidity units. Typically, the less the turbidity units measures, the cleaner the water is.
The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water
Natural water sources tend to support a host of aquatic life systems. These life systems rely on oxygen for their survival. For instance, if you are rearing fish on your farm, then you should ensure that the amount of oxygen present is sufficient for them to thrive in the water. Generally, moving water will have more dissolved oxygen, making it a better source of water than stagnant water. Field kits are what are typically used to measure the amount of dissolved oxygen in your water sources.
The PH levels of the water
PH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of your water. PH units that are low translate into acidic water whereas higher units denote alkaline water. It is recommended to have the PH levels of your water checked on a regular basis to take note of any changes that may be occurring. You can opt to test the PH of your water yourself using electronic PH metres. Alternatively, you can have the water testing experts come in and do this for you for an accurate reading.
The temperature of the water
Another pertinent factor in water testing is the temperature. Drastic temperature changes in your water can negatively affect any lifeforms that may be living in the water. For instance, when industries make use of natural water sources as a cooling agent then release this water back into the ecosystem, the high temperatures will wreak havoc on both plant and animal life. High water temperatures may also be indicative of pollution, and this may mean the water is not safe for consumption.
To schedule a water test, contact a professional service like Agrifood Technology.
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About Me
Welcome to my blog. My name is Daniel, and about ten years ago, I received a call that my grandmother was very ill. At that time, I didn't have a family yet, and my job wasn't something I loved. I dropped everything and went to the old family farm to help. Luckily, my grandma got better, but I stayed because my grandfather was starting to struggle to do many of the things he needed to do as a farmer. I slowly began to take the farm over, something I had always wanted to do, but I also helped my grandfather stay involved for as long as possible. Now, I want to help others by making a blog of the strategies and modifications we used. I hope you like this blog!