Drinking Water, Wastewater & Water Quality

Special emphasis on NC streams

http://www.charlestonwater.com/water_trt_process.htm

Indicators of Water Quality -NC Streams

1-Chemical• Ammonia•Nitrates/Nitrites Agricultural & Domestic Sources• Phosphorus• pH of natural waters = 5.6, lower means impairment• Dissolved O2-cold temps mean high D.O.• Conductivity•Metals; Arsenic, Mercury, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Lead. Some

are from natural mineral deposits.

2-Physical• Stream Velocity• Runs• Riffles• Pools

• Turbidity• Total Dissolved Solids

3-Biotic Index•High Diversity = Good Water Quality• Low Diversity (lots of one or two organisms) means

poor water quality

Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Non-point source pollution•Sedimentation•Agricultural sites•Animal feedlots•Croplands

•Stormwater runoff•Contains oil, gas, pesticides, salt

•Metals-Even small amounts can be harmful• EPA limit for Arsenic = 10 parts per billion (ppb)

Stormwater Runoff

Sedimentation in Streams