Determination of

Turbidity and
Optimum Dose of
Alum by Jar Test.
Relevant Indian Standard for
Turbidity Test

IS 3025 (Part 10)-1983: Method of

Sampling and Test (Physical and
Chemical) for Water and Wastewater :
Turbidity, (First Revision).
 Introduction
Turbidity is characteristic of suspended matter in
water, which offers obstruction to the passage of
light through it.

The greater the obstruction offered the greater is the

turbidity of water.

It is measured by turbidity rod or by turbidity meter.

The turbidity can be easily measured in the field with
the help of a turbidity rod. It consists of an aluminum
rod which is graduated as to give turbidity directly in
silica units (mg/l).
 There are various parameters influencing the turbidity /
cloudiness of the water. Some of these are :
• Algae growth
• Phytoplankton
• Sediments from erosion
• Resuspended sediments from the bottom
• Waste discharge
• Urban runoff
 Turbidimeter :
The turbidity can be easily measured in the laboratory with the help
of a instruments called turbidity meter. In general, a turbidity meter
works on the principle of measuring the interference caused by the
water sample to the passage of light rays.
It is measured as amount of suspended matter in mg/lit. or ppm.
Maximum permissible turbidity for domestic water supply is 5 to 10
ppm.
Jackson’s Turbidimeter
It can be used for natural sources only and can not be used to
measure the turbidity of treated water supplies.
High turbidity of water above 50 ppm is determined.
Baylis Turbidimeter
Low turbidity of water is determined.
Modern Nephelometer : For low turbidity less than 1 unit.
NTU – Nephelometric Turbidity Units
FTU – Formazin Turbidity Units
Ratio turbidimeter : Use to measure tubidity of river water which
has maximum amount of turbidity.
 Turbidity 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/JTU or

less
Turbidity of more than 5 NTU/JTU would be noticed by
users and may cause rejection of the supply
Where water is chlorinated, turbidity should be less than
5 NTU/JTU
Preferably less than 1 NTU/JTU for chlorination to be
effective
 Consequence of high Turbidity
The suspended solid in water absorb heat from the sunlight,
making the temperature of turbid water higher become and
therefore reducing the concentration of O2 in the water as
oxygen dissolves better in lower temperature.

The suspended solid in water scatter the light falling on it,

thus decreasing the photosynthetic activity of plants and
algae, which results in lower oxygen concentration in water.

Therefore particles settling to the bottom, shallow lakes fill in

faster, fish eggs and insect larvae are covered and
suffocated, gill structures get clogged or damaged.
IMPORTANCE OF TURBIDITY MEASUREMENT

• Turbidity studies of sources of water supply, around the year,

indicate the unit operations to be provided during treatment.

• Turbidity measurements of raw water samples are used in estimating

the quantities of chemical coagulants required for treatment.

• High turbidity load on fillers reduces filter runs by clogging filter

beds faster, increases frequency of filter washings and increases
operational cost of filter.
IMPORTANCE OF TURBIDITY MEASUREMENT

• Turbid particles in water absorb or reduce disinfectants and increase

the cost of disinfections.

• Turbid particles shelter pathogens and decrease the efficiency of

disinfections.

• Turbid water is un attractive in domestic supply. Drinking water

will be aesthetically appending, if it is clear and sparking.

• High inorganic turbidity in water when consumed is suspected to

cause gastrointestinal irritation.
TURBIDITY UNITS

• Turbidity is expressed in Jackson turbidity units (JTU).

• This is the same as NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity unit) or FTU

(Formazin Turbidity Unit).

• Another popular unit is that expressed on the silica scale.

• One mg of colloidal silica suspended in one litre of distilled water

produces 1PPM or1mg/l of turbidity this unit is practically
considered equivalent to 1 JTU.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. Nephelometric Turbidity meter
 Preparation of Stock Standards
1) Take 5 gm of reagent grade Hydrazine Sulphate
and dissolve in 400 ml of distilled water. This is
solution A.

2) Next dissolve 50gms Hexamethylene Tetramine in

400 ml of distilled water. This is solution B.

3) Mix solution A and B and make it 1lit by adding

distilled water & allow this mixture to settle for 48
hrs. At normal room temperature, this stock solution
of 4000 NTU (strength of Formalin) is usually stable
for a period of 6-8 months and working can be
prepared as required by using following table. Shake
 STANDARDS OF TURBIDITY
RECOMMENDED FOR DRINKING
WATER
Authority HDL MPL

BIS 5 NTU 10 NTU

GOI 2.5 JTU 10 JTU

WHO 5 Mg/l 25 Mg/l

Simulation
Determination of
Optimum dose of
Alum by Jar Test
Relevant Indian Standard for
Turbidity Test

IS 3025 (Part 50)-1986: Method of

Sampling and Test (Physical and
Chemical) for Water and Wastewater: Jar
Test (Coagulation Test), First Revision.
 Introduction
The most convention method of removal of raw
water turbidity caused by colloids of fine particles
and suspended impurities in flocculation followed by
classification and filtration, coagulation means
neutralization of negative charges on colloidal
impurities.

Positive jar test is a lab test, which comprises of

coagulation, flocculation and classification.

The purpose of the test is to determine the optimum

dose. The most popular coagulant used is alum
Al2SO4.18 H2O which is easily available.
 Introduction
Coagulation is the process of addition of a chemical
to de-stabilize a stabilized charged particle.

Flocculation is a slow mixing technique which

promotes agglomeration and helps the particles to
settle down.
Coagulation removes not only turbidity, but also colour,
odour producing substance, microorganisms, algae,
phosphate and taste. Molecules dissociate to yield SO42-
and Al3+ when alum solution is added to water. In order to
neutralize the charge these charged species combine
with the charged colloidal particles.
 Jar Test
Jar test is a common laboratory method used to
determine the optimum operating conditions for
water or wastewater treatment.

This process allows changes in pH, variations in

coagulant or polymer dose, alternating mixing
speeds, or testing of different coagulant or polymer
types, on a small scale in order to predict the
working of a large-scale treatment operation.
 EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED
Jar test consists of at least 4 tests with adjustable speeds.
1) Jar 1 lit (4 no.)
2) Measuring cylinder 500ml (1 no.)
3) Pipettes, 5ml (2 no.)
4) Beaker 250 ml (1 no.)
5) pH paper , raw water sample (25 lit of known turbidity)
 CHEMICALS REQUIRED
1) Alum solution (1%) - 10gm/lit (pH 3.4)
2) Lime Solution as Ca(OH)2 (1%) - 10gm/lit (pH 12.4)

Table of Graded Alum Dosages Used For Jar Test