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The Objectives of Water Analysis

The objectives of analyzing water are many. Generalization of these methods is difficult, given the broad spectrum of ideals and agencies involved. From governmental infrastructure analysis to the pure, scientific study of the world's many aquatic resources, the reasons for and objectives of water analysis are connected by their common interest in the health of the planet and its many inhabitants.

  1. Global Water System

    • The objectives of water analysis on the many lakes, rivers, oceans, streams, ponds, seas, estuaries, creeks, and more that comprise the global water system are many. Common objectives for chemical analysis of one or many of these aquatic resources include measuring pollution assimilation thresholds, understanding currents and circulation, and ascertaining the health of the plants and animals residing in the water. Other objectives for chemical analysis of the global water system include monitoring pH levels, algae growth, and concentrations of nutrients and chemicals.

    Human-Use Water

    • The analysis of water intended for human use generally has two primary objectives. The first is to measure the quality of available water resources for drinking, bathing, washing, etc. To achieve this objective, scientists measure the concentration of harmful chemicals and pollutants. The second primary objective of human-use water analysis is the quantity of water available for drinking, bathing, washing, etc. This type of analysis includes averaging annual rainfalls, anticipating droughts, looking to alternate sources, and predicting both increased demand due to population growth and the loss of water resources on account of accumulating pollutants or harmful chemicals.

    Municipal Water Infastructure

    • The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced the Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis report in 2002. The report analyzed the quantity and quality of drinking water in the United States with the objective of determining whether or not American fiscal resources were adequate to cope with maintaining sufficient drinking water and water facilities in the event of an increasing discrepancy in need and allocated budgetary resources. This objective was achieved through a combination of historical analysis of resources and scientific analysis of available water in the United States.

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