The methods to estimate the bacterial quality of raw water are: Standard Plate Count Test In this test,

the bacteria are made to grow as colonies, by innoculating a known volume of sample into a solidifiable nutrient medium (Nutrient Agar), which is poured in a petridish. After incubating (35C) for a specified period (24 hours), the colonies of bacteria (as spots) are counted. The bacterial density is expressed as number of colonies per 100 ml of sample.

Most Probable Number Most probable number is a number which represents the bacterial density which is most likely to be present. E.Coli is used as indicator of pollution. E.Coli ferment lactose with gas formation with 48 hours incubation at 35C. Based on this E.Coli density in a sample is estimated by multiple tube fermentation procedure, which consists of identification of E.Coli in different dilution combination. MPN value is calculated as follows: Five 10 ml (five dilution combination) tubes of a sample is tested for E.Coli. If out of five only one gives positive test for E.Coli and all others negative. From the tables, MPN value for one positive and four negative results is read which is 2.2 in present case. The MPN value is expressed as 2.2 per 100 ml. These numbers are given by Maccardy based on the laws of statistics.

Membrane Filter Technique . In this test a known volume of water sample is filtered through a membrane with opening less than 0.5 microns. The bacteria present in the sample will be retained upon the filter paper. The filter paper is put in contact of a suitable nutrient medium and kept in an incubator for 24 hours at 35C. The bacteria will grow upon the nutrient medium and visible colonies are counted. Each colony represents one bacterium of the original sample. The bacterial count is expressed as number of colonies per 100 ml of sample.

Drinking Water Tests Offered

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Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs): Phase I, II, and V Regulated and Unregulated Volatiles (Method 524.2) Semi-Volatile Organic Chemicals (SOCs): Methods: 504.1, 508.1, 525.2, 531.1, 547, 548.1, 549.2, 515.4 Inorganic Chemicals (IOCs) Metals: Methods 200 Series General Chemistry: Anions, Perchlorate, and other Characteristic Groups Disinfection By-products (DBPs) Analytes: Haloacetic Acids, Trihalomethanes, Chlorite, Bromate, Chlorate, Bromide Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR): UCMR 1 Contaminants - List 1 Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 2 (UCMR 2): UCMR 2 - Both List 1 and List 2.

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"raw water" quality--characteristics of a water source prior to treatment for domestic consumption (drinking water). See Bacteriological water analysis and specific tests such asturbidity and hard water. Turbidity Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles (suspended solids) that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality. Fluids can contain suspended solid matter consisting of particles of many different sizes. While some suspended material will be large enough and heavy enough to settle rapidly to the bottom of the container if a liquid sample is left to stand (the settable solids), very small particles will settle only very slowly or not at all if the sample is regularly agitated or the particles are colloidal. These small solid particles cause the liquid to appear turbid. Turbidity (or haze) is also applied to transparent solids such as glass or plastic. In plastic production haze is defined as the percentage of light that is deflected more than 2.5 from the incoming light direction.[1]

CAUSES Turbidity in open water may be caused by growth of phytoplankton. Human activities that disturb land, such as construction, can lead to high sediment levels entering water bodies

during rain storms due to storm water runoff. Areas prone to high bank erosion rates as well as urbanized areas also contribute large amounts of turbidity to nearby waters, through stormwaterpollution from paved surfaces such as roads, bridges and parking lots.[2] Certain industries such as quarrying, mining and coal recovery can generate very high levels of turbidity from colloidal rock particles. In drinking water, the higher the turbidity level, the higher the risk that people may develop gastrointestinal diseases[citation needed]. This is especially problematic for immunocompromised people, because contaminants like viruses or bacteria can become attached to the suspended solid. The suspended solids interfere with water disinfection with chlorine because the particles act as shields for the virus and bacteria. Similarly, suspended solids can protect bacteria from ultraviolet (UV) sterilization of water.[citation needed] In water bodies such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs, high turbidity levels can reduce the amount of light reaching lower depths, which can inhibit growth of submerged aquatic plants and consequently affect species which are dependent on them, such as fish and shellfish. High turbidity levels can also affect the ability of fish gills to absorb dissolved oxygen. This phenomenon has been regularly observed throughout the Chesapeake Bay in the eastern United States.[3][4] For many mangrove areas, high turbidity is needed to support certain species, such as to protect juvenile fish from predators. For most mangroves along the eastern coast of Australia, in particular Moreton Bay, turbidity levels as high as 600 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) are needed for proper ecosystem functioning.

Hard water Hard water is water that has high mineral content (in contrast with soft water). Hard water has high concentrations of Ca2+ andMg2+ ions. Hard water is generally not harmful to one's health but can pose serious problems in industrial settings, where water hardness is monitored to avoid costly breakdowns in boilers, cooling towers, and other equipment that handles water. In domestic settings, the hardness of water is often indicated by the non-formation of suds when soap is agitated in the water sample