The secret of water quality monitoring in water plants
Water is the source of life, and tap water is the main source of drinking water in our daily life, so its water quality is very important. The water quality monitoring work of the water plant is like a silent guard, protecting our health.
Turbidity:
The clarity of water is an intuitive and key factor in measuring water quality, and turbidity is an indicator specifically used to reflect the clarity of water quality. We know that water in the natural environment is affected by various factors, such as silt and organic debris carried by surface runoff. When these substances are mixed into the water, the water becomes turbid. In the production process of tap water, if the turbidity is high, it will not only affect the appearance of the water, but also may hide other harmful substances or microorganisms. Visually, water with high turbidity may look yellow, dark, or have obvious suspended matter floating in it. This is very unacceptable for drinkers. Moreover, high turbidity may also affect the effect of subsequent disinfection, purification and other processes, because these suspended matter may wrap bacteria or other harmful substances, making it difficult for disinfectants to fully play their role.Turbidity sensors can continuously measure the concentration of suspended particles, providing a basis for water treatment, making them an important tool for protecting water resources and maintaining the ecological environment.
pH value:
It indicates the acidity and alkalinity of water, which is a chemical property indicator that has a profound impact on water quality. The pH value of water has a wide range, but for drinking water, there is a relatively strict suitable range. In the natural environment, the pH value of water is affected by many factors, such as the composition of rocks, the type of soil, and the gases dissolved in the water. If the pH value is too high or too low, it may cause a series of problems. When the pH value is too low, the water may be acidic, which will corrode the water pipes and cause the metal ions in the pipes to dissolve. Some of these metal ions, such as lead and copper, will cause harm to human health if they are consumed excessively. When the pH value is too high, the water becomes alkaline, which may affect the taste and disinfection of the water, and may also cause certain minerals in the water to precipitate, affecting the overall water quality.
Residual chlorine:
This indicator plays an irreplaceable role in ensuring the disinfection effect of water. During the long journey from the water source to the user’s home, tap water will pass through various environments and is easily contaminated by microorganisms. Residual chlorine is the chlorine left over during the disinfection process. It can continuously kill bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that may exist in the water, thereby ensuring that the water remains micro-biologically safe in the water supply network and the user end. However, the content of residual chlorine also needs to be strictly controlled. If the residual chlorine content is too high, the water will have a pungent odor and may react with organic matter in the water to produce harmful disinfection by-products, which pose potential risks to human health.By monitoring the residual chlorine concentration in real time, the residual chlorine sensor can help to promptly detect and solve water quality problems. This is of great significance for ensuring the safety of drinking water, the hygiene of swimming pool water, and the quality of industrial water.
Dissolved oxygen:
The oxygen content in water, that is, dissolved oxygen, is an important indicator reflecting the ecological environment and water quality of the water body. In natural water bodies, dissolved oxygen mainly comes from the dissolution of oxygen in the atmosphere and the photosynthesis of aquatic plants. For water plants, the dissolved oxygen content of raw water affects the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. If the dissolved oxygen content is too low, anaerobic bacteria are likely to grow in the water supply pipes. These anaerobic bacteria may produce some metabolites with bad odors, affecting the taste and quality of the water. Moreover, the dissolved oxygen content is closely related to the chemical reactions of other substances in the water. For example, the chemical behaviors of some metal ions in aerobic and anaerobic environments may be completely different. In some areas where water pollution is more serious, due to the presence of a large number of organic pollutants, the microorganisms that decompose these organic matter will consume a large amount of dissolved oxygen, resulting in a lack of oxygen in the water body. In this case, the ecological balance in the water is broken, which may further deteriorate the water quality.
Escherichia coil:
This is one of the key indicators for evaluating the microbial contamination of water. Escherichia coil is a common intestinal bacteria that mainly exists in the intestines of humans and animals. If Escherichia coil is detected in tap water, it means that the water may be contaminated by pollutants such as feces. This is a very dangerous signal because in addition to Escherichia coil, feces may also carry other pathogenic microorganisms, such as Vi-brio cholera and Shillelagh dysentery. Once these pathogenic microorganisms enter the human body with drinking water, they may cause various intestinal diseases, such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, etc. In the water quality monitoring of water plants, the detection of Escherichia coil is a very rigorous task, which requires the use of specific detection methods and culture media to ensure the accuracy of the test results.
Heavy metal content:
The content of heavy metals such as lead and mercury in water has a huge impact on human health. The sources of heavy metals in the natural environment are relatively complex, such as the discharge of industrial wastewater and the seepage of failings during mining. Once these heavy metals enter the water body, it is difficult to degrade through natural processes. Lead is a common heavy metal pollutant that can enter the human body through drinking water and then accumulate in the human bones, nervous system and other parts. Long-term intake of water with excessive lead content may affect the intellectual development of children and cause diseases of the nervous system and blood system in adults. Mercury may exist in the form of inorganic mercury or organic mercury in water. Organic mercury, such as methyl mercury, has strong neurotoxin and can be enriched in organisms through the transmission of the food chain. Once the human body ingests excessive mercury, it may damage the nervous system, kidneys and other important organs.
Water quality monitoring at water plants is not only a key link in ensuring drinking water safety, but also the foundation for maintaining public health, supporting scientific decision-making, and promoting sustainable development. By continuously improving monitoring technologies and methods, we can better respond to increasingly complex water quality challenges and safeguard the long-term interests of society.
