WATER TREATMENT GLOSSARY
Alkalinity is an indicator that measures the ability of water to neutralize acids. It is the evaluation of its buffering capacity. It is an essential parameter to know the behaviour of water: When your water has high alkalinity, it means that it is likely to have important deposits. On the other hand, when it becomes low, it can signal rather aggressive water.
More details here : Health Canada – Alkalinity
The maximum acceptable level of this product in drinking water is 0.010 mg/L (10 µg/L). According to Health Canada, Arsenic is a carcinogenic and toxic compound. Therefore, the amount recommended above does not make it possible to predict its presence in the water. It is, therefore, necessary to carry out a water analysis to certify that it is really absent.
More details here : Health Canada – Arsenic
The maximum acceptable concentration level of this compound in drinking water is 1.0 mg/L (1000 μg/L). Barium exists in igneous and sedimentary rocks as a trace element. Although it is not a free element in nature, it exists in many compounds. Health Canada considers toxicity data insufficient for assessment.
More details here : Health Canada – Barium
According to health standards, the maximum concentration level of cadmium in drinking water has been set at 0.005 mg/L (5 g/L). Since cadmium comes mainly from food and is difficult to reduce in food, the intake of this metal in drinking water should be reduced to a minimum. At the recommended concentration, there are no parameters that would indicate the presence of cadmium in water. However, an analysis should be performed to confirm its absence.
More details here : Health Canada – Cadmium
Total coliforms are a group of heterogeneous bacteria (like Escherichia coli) of environmental and fecal origin. Most species occur naturally in soil and vegetation. Their presence in the well does not usually indicate fecal contamination or health risks, but rather a deterioration in the bacterial quality of your water. This may be due to surface water infiltration.
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Fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli are total coliform bacteria and are the only members of the coliforms that exist primarily in human and animal feces. Their presence in water not only means that it has been recently contaminated with fecal matter, but also that potentially pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa are present.
More details here : Institut national de santé publique
Atypical colonies are bacteria that are part of B.H.A, aerobic and anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria. However, their presence in drinking water is undesirable. Their presence in large quantities can make bacteriological analysis impossible. In this case, preventive disinfection is recommended.
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“apparent colour” is the colour measured in water with particles in suspension; when the water is free of these particles, the colour measured on a sample is called “true colour”. 15 UCV represents the normal limit of perception. A visible change in colour usually indicates a change in water quality and requires further investigation.
More details here : Health Canada – Colour
Copper is an essential component of human metabolism and its deficiency is known to cause a variety of clinical disorders, including nutritional anemia in infants. However, the consumption of high doses of this product can have adverse health effects. But the concentrations at which these effects occur far exceed aesthetic quality objectives.
The maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for copper in drinking water is 1.0 mg/L (1000 µg/L). Thus, when near the recommended level, this concentration is detectable by taste and can leave a turquoise ring on the faucet. Frequently, in the case of aggressive water, the presence of copper in your water may come from your plumbing.
More details here : Health Canada – Copper
Hardness is a classic problem, and naturally, the presence of large amounts of calcium and magnesium ions makes water hard. Hardness can be easily reduced with a water softener. Water with a hardness above 200 mg/l is considered bad, but consumers can tolerate it. However, water hardness above 500 mg/l is not suitable for most household needs. When softening hard water with a sodium ion exchange, large amounts of sodium can be introduced into the drinking water. Hard water causes, among other things, scale build-up in pipes, deposits in faucets and excessive soap consumption. On the other hand, softened water, without taking care of the calco-carbonic balance, can be corrosive and attack the distribution pipes.
More details here : Health Canada – Hardness
Although less abundant in the intestinal flora of animals and humans than E. coli bacteria, the detection of enterococci in well water may indicate that it is contaminated by fecal matter or surface water infiltration. In this case, the water is undrinkable.
More details here : Institut national de Santé publique
Iron is quite abundant in nature. It is the fourth element of the earth’s crust and the first element of heavy metals.
It is often found in varying amounts in groundwater and even surface water. For aesthetic or sensory reasons, Health Canada recommends an amount of iron below 0.3 mg/L in drinking water. If the concentration is higher than the recommended amount, the water will have an unpleasant taste and will appear unfit for consumption. It can discolour laundry and plumbing. Also, in water systems, iron can build up in the main pipe and cause flow restrictions.
More details here : Health Canada – Iron
Fluoride can occur naturally in groundwater and surface water in varying concentrations. Fluorides are present as a result of the breakdown of a fluoride-containing deposit. Health Canada used to classify fluoride as an important ingredient, but now recommends that fluoride requirements be based solely on their beneficial effects on cavities. Too much fluoride is bad for your health (risk of dental and bone fluorosis). The maximum tolerable concentration of fluoride in drinking water is 1.5 mg/L (1500 µg/L).
More details here : Institut National de Santé Publique
Manganese is a naturally occurring metal found in over 100 minerals and salts that make up rocks, soils, lakes and the ocean floor. Its presence in the water supply is undesirable for a variety of reasons. It can discolour plumbing fixtures and fabrics if its concentration is greater than 0.05 mg/L. Also, at high concentrations, manganese will give beverages a bad taste.
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Agricultural fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, domestic wastewater, and plant and animal degradation are some of the most important sources of nitrite-nitrate.
Due to their very high solubility in water, nitrate and nitrite salts can easily move through the soil and reach groundwater that serves as a source of drinking water. Consumption of water at concentrations greater than 10 mg/L can be a significant source of nitrite and nitrate. If this water is used for baby bottles, it can cause a disease called methemoglobinemia. This is a condition that can affect the ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
Infants under 6 months of age are the most vulnerable group and should not consume water with a nitrate concentration above 10 mg/L.
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The pH is a measure of the concentration of acidic H+ ions. The lower the pH, the more acidic the water, and water with a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Water becomes alkaline (or basic) as its pH increases. Metal corrosion can become severe below pH 6.5. Sludge and scale formation can increase above pH 8.5.
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Lead is the most common heavy element. Health Canada believes that lead is a potential human carcinogen. At the recommended concentration (standard: 0.01 mg/L), there is no indication of lead in the water, however, an analysis should be done to confirm the absence of lead.
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Sulfates occur naturally in many minerals. Sodium, potassium and magnesium sulfate are all soluble in water, but calcium, barium and heavy metal sulfate are not. Dissolved sulfate is reduced to sulfide and evaporates into the air as hydrogen sulfide, or transformed into an insoluble salt or is absorbed by living organisms.
Water with magnesium sulfate levels above 1000 mg/L has a laxative effect on adults. Sulfate in water gives it a very strong taste.
Taste thresholds for various sulfates (salts) appear to be at or above 500 mg/L for the general population, but sensitive individuals may experience an unpleasant taste in water with low sulfate levels.
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Tannins are part of plant matter. Tannin comes mainly from the decomposition of plant matter. Tannins present in drinking water give it an unsightly tan colour. In addition, their presence can have a significant impact on drinking water treatment plants. The presence of tannins in water is an aesthetic issue and has no health implications. There are therefore no standards to be respected by Health Canada.
This is the measure of the relative clarity of the water. The lower the turbidity, the fewer suspended solids there are in the water. Suspended solids can be organic or inorganic in nature and can also come from microscopic organisms. These materials come from a variety of vectors such as natural erosion, precipitation, industrial waste and sewage. The most significant health impact of turbidity is its ability to reduce the effectiveness of disinfection.
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Uranium exists in water. Its occurrence is due to leaching from natural sediments, discharge in factory waste, waste from the nuclear industry, and the burning of coal and other fuels. Phosphate fertilizers, which can contain uranium at concentrations up to 150 mg/kg, can also contribute to uranium in groundwater. The accepted concentration is: 0.02 mg/L. At the recommended concentration, there are no symptoms suggestive of the presence of lead in the water. However, it is recommended that an analysis be performed to confirm its absence.
More details here : Health Canada