Experiment # 2

To find the Turbidity of a given sample by Nephlometric

Method
Definition: It is the presence of visible material in water in suspension.

Theory: Turbidity may be produced by suspended particles i.e. clay, silt, organic
materials living or dead in water.

Significance of Test: This test finds turbidity of water sample in nephlometric turbidity
unit (NTU) and compares the results with the WHO guidelines for standard water.

Apparatus: NTU Nephlometer, Reagents, Beakers, Graduated Cylinders, Glass Tube

and Water Sample, Balance.

Procedure: Three steps

i. Reagents preparation.
ii. Calibration of nephlometer.
iii. Determination of turbidity of test sample.

Reagents Preparation:

 Take 1 gram of Hydrazine Sulphate and dilute in 100 ml of distilled water in a

beaker. (Solution 1)
 Take 10 grams of Hexamethyline Tetramine in 100ml of distilled water in another
beaker. (Solution 2)
 Take 5ml from both Solution 1 and Solution 2 with the help of graduated cylinder
and mix in a beaker. (5ml Solution 1 + 5 ml Solution 2 = 10 ml)
 Allow this to stand for 24 hours.
 Dilute this 10 ml solution to 100ml of distilled water; this has turbidity of 400 NTU.
 Dilute this to 1000 ml distilled water; this has turbidity of 40 NTU.

Calibration of Nephlometer:

 First put the distilled water in the tube and place in nephlometer and set the zero
knob.
 Then put 40 NTU solution in the tube and place in nephlometer and calibrate the
reading to 40 NTU by adjusting the calibration knob.
Determination of Turbidity of Test Sample:

 Now after calibration, put the test sample in the tube and place in nephlometer
and record the reading in NTU and compare with the WHO standards.

Precautions:

1. Bubbles present in the tube should be removed.

2. Outer surface of glass tube should be cleaned/wiped.