How to Calculate Groundwater Contamination

"Contamination", of course, is a very broad term and tests for groundwater pollution can cover a variety of different aspects and can focus on different contaminants. Determining the level of contamination depends greatly on the intended use of groundwater, whether for irrigation, drinking or recreational purposes. The basic parameters for water contamination, however, are relatively constant and should all be taken into account when determining the contamination level of groundwater. In the absence of a scale for calculating the level of contamination, there are still a number of simple tests you can run at home to determine the safety of your groundwater, as well as a series of laboratory tests you should consider if you are seriously concerned.

Things You'll Need

• Clean transparent container for holding water, preferably sealed
• pH paper
• Thermometer
• Home groundwater testing kit

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Instructions

Simple Visual Tests

• 1

  Take a sample of your groundwater in a clear container and allow it to settle.

• 2

  Asses the color of your water. Clean water should be completely or nearly transparent. Any coloration may be evidence of dissolved metals or other contaminants.

• 3

  Smell your sample. Clean water should be odorless and any smell you detect may also be evidence of contamination.

• 4

  Asses the turbidity (the amount of suspended particles) in your water. While the naked eye cannot detect all dangerous contaminants suspended in water, if your water is not completely or nearly transparent, it may be evidence of contamination.

• 5

  Taste your water. Clean water should be tasteless. Be sure you only taste water that you are reasonably sure is safe to drink. Do not taste water if you have any reason to believe it may be contaminated.

• 6

  Allow a few drops of your water to evaporate on a clear surface like the base of your container. Once the water has dried, examine the surface to see if any residue remains. While this test will not allow you to determine the exact nature of the particles suspended in your water, it will allow you to establish their presence for further testing.

Simple Laboratory Testing

• 7

  Measure the temperature of your water using a thermometer. While temperature is not necessarily an indication of contamination, establishing your water's temperature will be important for taking other measurements.

• 8

  Determine the pH (acidity) of your water by placing a drop of water on a piece of pH paper. The paper will change color depending on the pH of the substance tested. Consult your pH paper's key to interpret the results. Clean water should be about neutral (pH 7.0) at 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).

• 9

  Test your water for chemical content with a home testing kit. Several inexpensive kits are available for simply testing water for hardness (dissolved calcium and magnesium), dissolved metals such as iron and copper, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, chloride and sodium.

• 10

  Test your water for biological content, including fecal coliform and bacteria. Unless you have a microscope at home and a deep understanding of water-borne pathogens, it may be a good idea to send a sample of your water to a laboratory to make sure this test is done correctly. Your local phone book or Internet directory should have listings of local laboratories, many of which will be willing to conduct the testing for free if you believe your groundwater quality poses a serious threat to public health.