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Water Testing

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Introduction

Water is the foundation of all life on Earth. Every living organism, from the smallest microbe to the largest mammal, depends on it for survival. For humans, water is not only essential for drinking, but also for food preparation, agriculture, sanitation, hygiene, and industrial activities. Yet, despite its significance, access to clean and safe water remains a challenge in many parts of the world.

As urbanization, industrial growth, and population increase, so do the risks to water quality. Natural water sources — once considered pure are now increasingly exposed to contaminants. This makes water quality testing more important than ever. Testing helps identify threats, protect public health, and ensure water remains safe for everyday use.

Why Water Gets Contaminated

Water does not stay pure forever. As it moves through the environment — across land, underground, or through man-made systems — it can pick up harmful substances. Here is how:

Agricultural Runoff: Farms use fertilizers and pesticides to grow food, but during rains, these chemicals can wash into nearby rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources.

Industrial Pollution: Factories and processing plants often use or produce chemicals that may be improperly disposed of, leaking into water systems.

Domestic Waste and Sewage: Leaking septic tanks, improper waste disposal, or untreated sewage can release harmful microorganisms and contaminants into water.

Natural Contaminants: Some contaminants, like arsenic, fluoride, or iron, occur naturally in underground rocks and dissolve into water over time.

Aging Infrastructure: Old water supply pipes, especially those made of lead, can corrode and release toxic substances into the drinking water.

What Might Be Hiding in Your Water?

Water can carry a wide range of contaminants. Some are visible, but many are not — making them even more dangerous. Common groups of water pollutants include:

Biological Contaminants
Pathogens like coli, Salmonella, viruses, and parasites that can cause diarrhea, fever, and more serious illnesses.
Chemical Pollutants
These include pesticides, herbicides, cleaning agents, and industrial chemicals like VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Heavy Metals
Toxic elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium can cause severe damage to organs, especially in children.
Physical Impurities
Dirt, rust, and sediment can make water cloudy, affecting its appearance and quality.

Why You Should Test Your Water Regularly

Reason	Explanation
Protect Health	Ensures your water is free from harmful bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals that pose health risks.
Ensure Safe Taste, Smell, and Color	Identifies substances that may not be harmful but affect the taste, odor, or appearance of water.
Meet Legal and Safety Standards	Helps industries, businesses, and public services comply with health and safety regulations.
Monitor Environmental Changes	Detects early signs of pollution or contamination in water bodies, aiding in timely intervention.

How to Conduct Effective Water Testing

Accurate water testing requires careful planning and execution. Follow these steps to ensure reliable results:

Proper Sample Collection: Use clean, sterilized containers and adhere to specific protocols to prevent contamination during sampling, ensuring the sample accurately represents the water source.
Choosing the Right Testing Approach: For comprehensive analysis, send samples to a certified laboratory, such as Eurofins, which provides advanced testing for a wide range of contaminants. This is critical for suspected contamination, regulatory compliance, or detailed assessments.
Interpreting Your Results: Understanding test outcomes can be challenging. Compare results against regulatory benchmarks, such as the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), to determine if the water is safe for consumption or requires treatment.

Water Testing & Analysis: A Purpose-Driven Approach

Before testing any water sample, it’s important to understand its intended use. The purpose—whether for drinking, industrial processing, irrigation, or discharge into open water bodies—determines what standards apply and which parameters to analyze.

Which Standards Guide Water Testing?

Water quality is assessed using guidelines established by leading regulatory and scientific bodies. The selection of standards depends on the end use of the water:

APHA (American Public Health Association) – Widely used for laboratory procedures.
IS (Indian Standards – BIS) – National drinking water and industrial use standards.
CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) – Discharge and surface water standards
WHO (World Health Organization) – Global reference for safe drinking water

Main Categories of Water Quality Tests

Water testing is typically divided into three major categories, each focusing on different aspects of water quality:

Physical Tests

These tests evaluate properties that can be detected using the senses or simple equipment.

Common Parameters:

Color
Odor
Taste
Turbidity
Temperature

Purpose: Quick indication of visible pollution or quality changes.

Chemical Tests

These assess the presence and concentration of chemical substances, both natural and man-made.

Key Parameters:

pH (Acidity/Alkalinity)
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)
DO (Dissolved Oxygen)
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)
Chloride, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Nitrate

Purpose: Determine how water affects health, equipment, and the environment.

Bacteriological Tests

These tests detect microbial contamination, especially organisms indicating fecal or sewage pollution.

Typical Indicators:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Total coliform bacteria
Fecal streptococci

Purpose: Ensure water is safe for human contact or consumption.

Regulations and standards

INDIAN STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR DRINKING WATER

IS: 10500

S.NO.	Parameter	Requirement desirable Limit	Remarks
1.	Color	5	May be extended up to 50 if toxic. substances are suspected
2.	Turbidity	10	May be relaxed up to 25 in the absence of alternate
3.	pH	6.5 to 8.5	May be relaxed up to 9.2 in the absence
4.	Total Hardness	200	May be extended up to 600
5.	Calcium as Ca	75	May be extended up to 200
6.	Magnesium as Mg	30	May be extended up to 100
7.	Copper as Cu	0.05	May be relaxed up to 1.5
8.	Iron	1.0	No relaxation
9.	Manganese	0.1	May be extended up to 0.5
10.	Chlorides	250	May be extended up to 1000
11.	Sulphates	150	May be extended up to 400
12.	Nitrates	45	No relaxation
13.	Fluoride	0.6 to 1	If the limit is below 0.6 water should be rejected, Max. Limit is extended to 1.5
14.	Phenols	0.001	May be relaxed up to 0.002
15.	Mercury	0.001	No relaxation
16.	Cadmium	0.01	No relaxation
17.	Selenium	0.01	No relaxation
18.	Arsenic	0.05	No relaxation
19.	Cyanide	0.05	No relaxation
20.	Lead	0.1	No relaxation
21.	Zinc	5.0	May be extended up to 10.15
22.	Anionic detergents (MBAS)	0.2	May be relaxed up to 1
23.	Chromium as Cr⁺⁶	0.05	No relaxation
24.	Poly nuclear aromatic Hydrocarbons	--	--
25.	Mineral Oil	1.0	No relaxation
26.	Residual free Chlorine	0.2	Applicable only when water is. chlorinated
27.	Pesticides	Absent	--

Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water

S.NO.	Organism	Requirement
1	All water intended for drinking: a) E. coli or thermotolerant coliform bacteria	Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample
2	Treated water entering the distribution system: a) E. coli or thermotolerant coliform bacteria b) Total coliform bacteria	Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample
3	Treated water in the distribution system: a) E. coli or thermotolerant coliform bacteria b) Total coliform bacteria	Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample

Directive (EU) 2020/2184, enacted by the European Parliament and Council on 16 December 2020, specifies the minimum parametric values for assessing water quality intended for human consumption. This regulation sets stringent microbiological, chemical, and indicator standards to ensure the safety and suitability of drinking water, upholding high public health protection measures.

Part A: Microbiological Parameters

Parameter	Parametric Value	Unit	Notes
Intestinal enterococci	0	number/100 ml	For water in bottles or containers, count per 250 ml.
Escherichia coli (E. coli)	0	number/100 ml	For water in bottles or containers, count per 250 ml.

Part B: Chemical Parameters

Parameter	Parametric Value	Unit	Notes
Acrylamide	0.1	μg/l	Refers to residual monomer in water.
Antimony	10	μg/l
Arsenic	10	μg/l
Benzene	1	μg/l
Benzo(a)pyrene	0.01	μg/l
Bisphenol A	2.5	μg/l
Boron	1.5	mg/l	2.4 mg/l when desalinated water predominates.
Bromate	10	μg/l
Cadmium	5	μg/l
Chlorate	0.25	mg/l	0.70 mg/l where chlorine dioxide is used.
Chlorite	0.25	mg/l	0.70 mg/l where chlorine dioxide is used.
Chromium	25	μg/l	50 μg/l until 2036.
Copper	2	mg/l
Cyanide	50	μg/l
1,2-dichloroethane	3	μg/l
Epichlorohydrin	0.1	μg/l	Refers to residual monomer in water.
Fluoride	1.5	mg/l
Haloacetic acids (HAAs)	60	μg/l	Measure only when relevant disinfection methods are used.
Lead	5	μg/l	10 μg/l until 2036; then 5 μg/l at point of supply.
Mercury	1	μg/l
Microcystin-LR	1	μg/l	Measure in event of potential blooms.
Nickel	20	μg/l
Nitrate	50	mg/l	Ensure [nitrate]/50 + [nitrite]/3 ≤ 1.
Nitrite	0.5	mg/l	Ensure [nitrate]/50 + [nitrite]/3 ≤ 1.
Pesticides	0.1	μg/l	For each pesticide, 0.030 μg/l for certain substances.
Pesticides Total	0.5	μg/l	Sum of all detected pesticides.
PFAS Total	0.5	μg/l	Applies once monitoring guidelines are developed.
Sum of PFAS	0.1	μg/l	Sum of specified PFAS substances.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons	0.1	μg/l	Sum of specified compounds.
Selenium	20	μg/l	30 μg/l in regions with high selenium.
Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene	10	μg/l	Sum of concentrations.
Trihalomethanes Total	100	μg/l	Strive for a lower value where possible.
Uranium	30	μg/l
Vinyl chloride	0.5	μg/l	Refers to residual monomer in water.

Part C: Indicator Parameters

Parameter	Parametric Value	Unit	Notes
Aluminium	200	μg/l
Ammonium	0.5	mg/l
Chloride	250	mg/l	Water should not be corrosive.
Clostridium perfringens	0	number/100 ml	Measure if risk assessment indicates.
Colour	Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change
Conductivity	2,500	μg. cm-1 at 20 °C	Water should not be aggressive.
Hydrogen ion concentration	≥ 6.5 and ≤ 9.5	pH units	Lower values acceptable for certain bottled waters.
Iron	200	μg/l
Manganese	50	μg/l
Odour	Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change
Oxidisability	5	mg/l O2	Not needed if TOC is analyzed.
Sulphate	250	mg/l	Water should not be corrosive.
Sodium	200	mg/l
Taste	Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change
Colony count 22°C	No abnormal change
Coliform bacteria	0	number/100 ml	For bottled water, count per 250 ml.
Total organic carbon (TOC)	No abnormal change	Not required for supplies under 10,000 m³/day.
Turbidity	Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32020L2184&qid=1736163080455

Water Quality Testing Parameters

Below are various parameters used to assess the quality of water, along with corresponding testing methods:

Sr No	Water Testing & Analysis Parameter	Water Testing and Analysis Method
1	Colour	Visual comparison, Spectrophotmetric method
2	pH	pH paper, Universal indicator or pH meter
3	Turbidity	Nephelometric method
4	Dissolved Oxygen (DO)	Winkler method
5	Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)	Winkler method
6	Chloride (Cl)	Argentometric method
7	Hardness – Ca and Mg	EDTA method
8	Total Dissolved solids	Gravimetric method
9	Sulphate as SO₄	Turbidimetric method
10	Nitrate as NO₃	Colorimetric method
11	Iron (Fe)	ICP
12	Sodium (Na)	ICP
13	E. coli	MPN – completed test for E. coli
14	Total Coliform Bacteria	MPN
15	Total Bacteria	Enumeration method

Eurofins role in testing water analysis

Eurofins, a global leader in analytical testing, plays a vital role in ensuring water safety through comprehensive testing solutions, scientific expertise, and regulatory compliance support.

From municipal systems to individual wells, Eurofins delivers tailored water testing services with unmatched precision and reliability.

Why Choose Eurofins for Water Analysis

Global Expertise, Local Solutions
Eurofins brings decades of international testing experience combined with local regulatory insight, ensuring your water meets both national and global standards (IS, BIS, WHO, CPCB, APHA).
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Testing is carried out in accredited laboratories equipped with advanced instruments such as ICP-MS, GC-MS, HPLC, and microbiological analyzers.
Comprehensive Water Quality Analysis
Eurofins offers complete water assessments that go beyond basic testing, covering physical, chemical, and biological parameters.

Detailed Parameters Analyzed by Eurofins

Physical Parameters

Assess the general appearance and sensory qualities of water.

Parameter	Importance
Colour	Indicates organic matter or metallic presence
Turbidity	Measures clarity; affected by suspended particles
Odour & Taste	Detects unnatural smells or tastes from chemicals or bacteria
Temperature	Influences dissolved oxygen and chemical reaction rates
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)	Affects water hardness, taste, and appliance lifespan

Chemical Parameters

Critical for understanding the chemical composition and health impacts of water.

Parameter	Significance
pH	Measures acidity/alkalinity; essential for treatment decisions
Hardness	High levels can damage plumbing and reduce soap effectiveness
Chlorides, Sulphates, Nitrates	Affect taste; may pose risks to human and aquatic health
Fluoride	Beneficial in small amounts, toxic in excess
Metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn)	Can stain, corrode, or harm health in high concentrations
Toxic Elements (Pb, As, Hg, Cd)	Hazardous even in trace amounts
BOD & COD	Indicate organic pollution and oxygen demand
Radioactive Substances	Tested in groundwater or areas with industrial exposure

Biological Parameters

Detect the presence of harmful microorganisms that may cause disease.

Indicator	Concern
Total Coliforms	Indicator of general contamination
Fecal Coliform / E. coli	Confirms fecal contamination; causes gastrointestinal illnesses
Algae, Protozoa, and Viruses	May trigger outbreaks, especially in untreated sources

Types of Water Tested by Eurofins

Municipal Tap Water
Groundwater and Borewell Water
Well Water
Packaged Drinking Water
Surface Water (lakes, rivers, ponds)
Industrial Process and Effluent Water
Swimming Pools and Recreational Water
RO and Filtered Water Systems

Value-Added Services

Service	Description
Sample Collection Services	Trained staff collect samples using standardized, contamination-free protocols
On-site Testing & Field Kits	Rapid testing solutions for immediate results
Treatment Advisory	Recommendations for purification, filtration, and system upgrades
Water Treatment Plant Design Support	Support in planning compliant and effective treatment facilities
Regulatory Compliance Assistance	Documentation and reporting for regulatory certification and audits