UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING

WR213: HYDRAULICS AND WATER QUALITY PRACTICALS

PRACTICAL REPORT NO.01

PHYSICAL ANALYSIS PARAMETERS

NAME: MRISHO, ADAM H

REG#: 2019-04-08063

GROUP: A5

DEGREE COURSE: BSC. IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTOR: MR. FRANK SHAGEGA

PRACTICAL DAY: MONDAY, 1500 – 1700hrs

PRACTICAL VENUE: WATER RESOURCE LABORATORY
ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL WATER QUALITY
INTRODUCTION
Water quality describes the condition of the water, including physical, chemical, and biological
characteristics, usually with respect to its suitability for a particular purpose such as drinking or
swimming. Water quality testing is an important part of environmental monitoring. When the
quality is poor, the ecosystem becomes negatively affected by it.
Different parameters are analyzed as in the process of ensuring water quality for different uses
by the public. They include physical water quality parameters, bacteriological water quality
parameters and chemical water quality parameters. As of this practical we shall deal with the
physical parameters.
The physical water quality parameters to be discussed include; concentration of suspended solid
particles, turbidity, electrical conductivity and pH value of given water samples.

OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the experiment is to obtain the amount of the different physical parameters
such as pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity and concentration of suspended solid particles that
affects directly or indirectly the quality of water and from these observations can draw a
conclusion if the given water is suitable for community uses like domestic uses.

APPARATUS USED
pH meter, Turbidity meter, Electric conductivity meter, Petri-dish, Measuring cylinder, Beaker,
Oven, Filtration unit (suction pump), Weigh balance.

MATERIALS USED
Two water samples (sample S1 and sample S2), Filter papers, Distilled water

PROCEDURES:

A: DETERMINATION OF SUSPENDED SOLIDS CONCENTRATION

Water samples (sample S1 and sample S2) given in the bottles were shaken well.
1. 50 ml of water sample S1sub-divided into two parts, S1 a and S1b are measured in
measuring beaker.

2. The filtration apparatus was rinsed with distilled water.

3. The dried filter paper was placed on its support then funnel was fixed.
 4. 50 ml sample S1 of water was poured into the funnel and rinsed with little amount of
distilled water.
5. The funnel valve was opened and the suction pump was turned on.
6. Then after total filtration the pump was switched off.
7. The filter paper was then carefully removed from the filtration unit and placed on the
specific Petri-dish thereafter it was labeled accordingly.
8. The same procedures were then repeated for samples S1b, S2a & S2b
9. From there then the Petri-dishes were kept in an oven at a temperature of 105℃ for about
1:30 hrs. and weighed after cooling down in desiccators.

Suspended solids Concentration (mg/l)

Drying Temperature = 105℃ for 90 minutes.
Volume = 50mls

TABLE OF RESULTS

SAMPLE WEIGHT WEIGHT ADDITIONA AVG. SS(conc.)

NUMBER OF DRY AFTER L WEIGHT ADDITIONA (mg/l)
FILTER FILTERING (g) L
PAPER(g) (g) WT (g)
S1(a) 54.6915 54.6966 0.0051
S1(b) 59.3108 59.3187 0.0079 0.0065 130
S2(a) 47.1503 47.1510 0.0007
S2(b) 56.3515 56.3521 0.0006 0.00065 13

B: DETERMINATION OF THE pH VALUE AND CONDUCTIVITY

1. The certain amount of sample S1 taken into a beaker and the pH meter was dipped
into the beaker containing the water to be tested and the pH of the sample was then
recorded.

2. The same procedures were then followed for sample S2 and then pH recorded.

Also,
1. The little amount of sample S1 was placed into a beaker and then the conductivity
meter with a probe was dipped into the beaker containing water to be tested and the
electric conductivity value was then recorded.

2. The same procedures were repeated for other samples.

 3. A small sample S1 was poured into a small special bottle thereafter it was fixed into
its position in the turbidity meter and left for an ample time, thereafter the readings
were taken. The same applies to sample S2.

NB: After every experiment on PH and electric conductivity value the probe was
rinsed with distilled water in order to remove the impurities.

TABLE OF RESULTS
S/N PARAMETERS S1 S2
1 PH 6.80 8.33
2 Electrical Conductivity (μS/Cm) 502 821
3 Total dissolved solids (mg/l) 200 328
4 Turbidity (FTU) 47.80 0.84

RESULTS

●From the table it is clear that water sample S1 has large amount of suspended solids, 130mg/l
than sample S2 which has 13mg/l.

●From the table it was observed that the pH value for water sample S1 is 6.80 and sample S2 is
8.33. S1 displays an acidic nature while S2 displays a bit of a basic nature. Drinking water
suppliers keep their water supply at a pH of 6.5 to 8.5 therefore both are within the range.

●Conductivity indicates the concentration of the dissolved electrolyte ions in water. It does not
identify the specific ions in the water; however significant increase in conductivity may be an
indicator that polluting discharges have entered the water.
Water sample S2 has higher conductivity compared to sample S1 indicating that more
electrolytic ions are present in it compared to sample S1. Also the amount of polluting agents are
slightly higher in water sample S2 compared to water sample S1.

●Total dissolved solids represents the total concentration of dissolved substances in water. TDS
is made up of inorganic salts, as well as a small amount of organic matter. Common inorganic
salts that can be found in water include calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium which are
all cations and carbonates, nitrates, bicarbonates and chlorides which are all anions.
Sample S1 has a TDS of 200 while Sample S2 has a TDS OF 328 which are considered
preferable level of TDS in water.
●The turbidity values for both water samples 47.8 FTU and 0.84 FTU for sample S1 and sample
S2 respectively suggests that the water is of poor quality condition, thus it cannot be used by
humans as drinking water.

CONCLUSION
The water samples which have been analyzed have impurities in varying proportions where
sample S2 contains many impurities than sample S1. However the amount of some parameters is
within the tolerance range but most of them are undesirable for the human health if they are to be
used for drinking purposes.
The most common standards used to monitor and assess water quality convey the health of
ecosystems, safety of human contact and condition of drinking water. Water quality has a
significant impact on water supply and oftentimes determines supply options.
Also, It is of great importance to check for water quality physical parameters as it was done in
this practical together with other physical parameters such as color and odor in order to be sure
with the quality of water for human and animals use as well. But usually there is a tolerable
amount of these parameters allowed, otherwise it is said that the water is unfit for human uses.