ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING -1

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

JOB # 3

TURBIDITY MEASUREMENT
Table of Contents
1.

Objective......................................................................................................... 24

2.

Principle.......................................................................................................... 24

3.

Apparatus........................................................................................................ 24

4.

Related Theory................................................................................................. 24

Turbidity............................................................................................................ 24

Sources............................................................................................................ 24

WHO guidelines for drinking water........................................................................25

Turbidity and human health.................................................................................. 25

Measuring Turbidity............................................................................................ 25

Turbidity Meter................................................................................................... 25

Advantages....................................................................................................... 26

Disadvantages:.................................................................................................. 26

5.

Procedure........................................................................................................ 26

6.

Observations and Calculations..........................................................................26

7.

Comments....................................................................................................... 27

8.

References....................................................................................................... 27

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1. Objective
To determine the turbidity of different water samples

2. Principle
Turbidity is based on intensity of light scattered by the sample under defined conditions.
The higher the intensity of scattered light, the more will be the turbidity.

3. Apparatus

Turbidity meter
Sample cells
Tissue papers

4. Related Theory
Turbidity
Turbidity is the amount of cloudiness in the water. This can vary from a river full of mud
and silt where it would be impossible to see through the water (high turbidity) to a spring
water which appears to be completely clear (low turbidity)
Sources
Multiple insoluble particles can produce turbidity:

Suspended particles

Such particles do not settle at the bottom and their specific density is comparable with
that of water.

Settle-able particles

These particles are those which have specific density more than that of the water e.g;
sand and clay.

Colloidal particles

These are suspended particles having diameter from micrometer to nanometer

(<10m).

Rust

Also rust is insoluble to water so when enter to water cause turbidity.

Organic pollutants
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WHO guidelines for drinking water

For drinking water supplies, the following guidelines should be taken into consideration:

Drinking water should have a turbidity of 5 NTU or less. Turbidity of more than 5
NTU would be noticed by users and may cause rejection of the supply.
Where water is chlorinated, turbidity should be less than 5 NTU and preferably
less than 1 NTU for chlorination to be effective.

Turbidity and human health

Excessive turbidity, or cloudiness, in drinking water is aesthetically
unappealing, and may also represent a health concern.
Turbidity can provide food and shelter for pathogens. If not removed, turbidity
can promote regrowth of pathogens in the distribution system, leading to
waterborne disease outbreaks.
Turbidity is not a direct indicator of health risk.
The particles of turbidity provide "shelter" for microbes by reducing their
exposure to attack by disinfectants. Microbial attachment to particulate
material has been considered to aid in microbe survival. Fortunately,
traditional water treatment processes have the ability to effectively remove
turbidity when operated properly.
Measuring Turbidity
Turbidity can be measured using an electronic turbidity meter. This method has
advantages and disadvantages, as shown below. Turbidity is usually measured in
nephelometric turbidity units (NTU).
Turbidity Meter
Turbidity meter measures the light that scattered when stroke the solution. More there
are number of insoluble particles, more will be the light scattered. In turbidity meter,
there is photoelectric effect.

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There are many different types of

electronic turbidity meter available.
Their advantages and
disadvantages are as follows:
Advantages

Very accurate, and especially useful for measuring very low turbidities (less than
5 NTU)

Disadvantages:

High cost

Need power supply (mains or battery)

Easily damaged

5. Procedure

Take water sample and shake it well.

Then quickly transfer it into the turbidity cell.
Volume of sample must be above the arrow mark.
Then transfer turbidity cell into the turbidity meter in 10-15sec.
Repeat the same procedure for every water sample.

6. Observations and Calculations

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7. Comments

No of sample

Source

Turbidity (NTU)

8. References
1. Turbidity in Drinking-water Background document for development of WHO
guidelines for Drinking water qualti, WHO/SDE/WHO/03.04/12, n Guidelines for
drinking water quality 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Health criteria and other supporting
information. World health organization Geneva, 1996.
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2. Techniques in Environmental Sciences and Management, Dr Khurshid Ahmed,

2nd edition, page 55.
3. A study of Low-Level Turbidity Measurments by Raymond D. Letterman, AWWA
Research Foundation page 5 (2002).
4. USGS http://water.usgs.gov/owq/FieldManual/Chapter6/Arhive/6.7/6.7.2.html.

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