About Water Quality
What is Water Quality?
Water quality can be defined as an integrated index of the chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics of natural water. If one of these characteristics is out of balance, water quality is affected.
What is Eutrophication?
Eutrophication is a process that occurs when a water body receives an excessive amount of nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus in particular. Excessive nutrients lead to the abundant growth of aquatic plants and algae blooms.
What are Nutrients?
Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are two primary nutrients in aquatic ecosystems. They are necessary for the growth and development of all water plants and algae, but in excessive amounts these chemical elements are responsible for the process of eutrophication.
Sources of Nutrients
Point Sources: come from known separate points or locations. These could be municipal or industrial sewage outflows, septic tanks, etc.
Non-point Sources: come with runoff from extensive land surfaces such as urban areas and agricultural fields. These sources include soil erosion material, agricultural and urban fertilizers, etc.
Consequences of Eutrophication
- Increased algae and aquatic plant growth
- Reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations in water
- Decreased clarity of water
- Stress on fish species
- Poor taste and odour of water
- More complicated and expensive water treatment process
- More potentially harmful chemicals in our tap water
- Reduced recreational opportunities