Skip to main content

Water Quality

 

According to United States Geological Survey, water quality is "A measure of the suitability of water for a particular use based on selected physical, chemical, and biological characteristics" (n.d.). 

(Click to transport to USGS)



Popular posts from this blog

Processing Chemical Analysis Samples

  Don't let the words "processing chemical analysis" overwhelm you! It is so easy once you do it a couple of times! You'll be working from memory before you know it! We will be collecting from FOUR different sites for SUMMER SEMESTER 2021 . You can find the addresses and some photos of the sites under the "SITES" tab.  We are currently running SIX chemical tests on the samples. For SUMMER 2021 , we will be testing for the following: Sulfate HR (High Range) Ammonia Nitrogen HR Nitrate-Nitrogen LR (Low Range) Chlorine (FREE/TOTAL/COMBINED) pH Phosphates Each test has it's own set of very to follow instructions. You can find these instructions in the binder in the lab. They are also listed here on the website for your convenience. Check under CHEMICAL ANALYSIS INSTRUCTIONS in the drop down menu on our site to find them digitally! EXAMPLE #1 ~ SULFATE Turn on calorimeter ENTER into testing menu (it should already be highlighted) Use arrow keys to toggle (an...
Read more

Project Description

This project will serve the purpose of the collaboration between  Georgia Highlands College  (GHC) and  Lake Allatoona Association  (LAA) to provide research and analysis needed to successfully build an ongoing lake water quality sampling and reporting system. Quantify  Escherichia coli  (E.coli) and  Fecal Coliform  bacteria to assess the water qualities of Lake Allatoona. Quantify various chemical levels in samples collected from Lake Allatoona. Water samples will be collected from  FOUR  different locations for lab analysis for summer semester 2021. Following EPA approved guidelines for quantification of total Fecal Coliform bacteria per 100 ml of water, our testing will continue for the duration of the eight week summer semester.  The success of this project will be determined by diligent reporting of the data. This data can come through the consistent collection and analysis of water samples from the continuous collaborati...
Read more

Testing Microbiology Samples

We follow these rules specifically. The process is very easy, but make sure you follow the rules and you'll be performing from memory before you know it!!! Hands must be washed before putting on gloves. Surfaces must be wiped down with sodium hypochlorite (bleach water) before and after testing. Label tray with site number, collection time/date, processing time/date, processor's initials. Retrieve sample and Colilert from refrigerator. Aseptically (just means free of pathogenic microorganisms) add one packet of reagent to the sample. Re-cap bottle and shake until reagent is mostly dissolved. (If sample "flashes blue" it contains excessive chlorine and is invalid for analysis) Pour into Quanti-Tray. Place tray in rubber insert for Quanti-Tray sealer machine. The sealer works like a laminator and seals the backing onto the tray. Feed tray into Quanti-Tray sealer. Place tray into incubator and incubate at 35.0 degrees Celsius for 24 hours .  After incubation, the tray is...
Read more