The Influence Of Water Quality

Water comes to the earth surface mainly through precipitation and all natural water contains substances derived from the environment, both natural and manmade. The amounts of these constituents in the water generally determine the quality of water. Therefore water quality describes the condition of the water, including chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, usually with respect to its suitability for a particular purpose. The water quality is affected by a wide range of natural and human factors. The most important of the natural influences are geological, hydrological and climatic, since these affect the quantity and the quality of water available. The effects of human activities on water quality are both widespread and varied

Wastewater discharges with high nutrient loads from diffuse sources such as run-off from livestock feedlots or agricultural land fertilized with organic and inorganic fertilizers are becoming common sources of water pollution. Due to expansion of populations in urban areas urbanization and water pollution is closely linked. Specially in developing countries untreated urban waste is a prime source of water pollution. Due to many such reasons water quality rarely remains static and vary at spatial and temporal scales. Water quality data are essential in many situations such as for effluent description, when monitoring health of aquatic environments and to develop management programs and action plans to protect water resources. Further the quality of the water which determines its useri.e. Quality of Lake water is sufficient to swim in it, but not suitable for drinking. Drinking water can be used for irrigation, but water used for irrigation may not meet drinking water standards. Therefore for the better management of precious water quantification and evaluation of water quality is essential in many

Suspended materials in natural water may be of various kinds. It may include soil particles (clay, silt, sand), Plankton, microbes and other substances. Various land base activities can contribute to the turbidity changes in the aquatic environment. Specially soil erosion of catchments can significantly contribute to the higher loads of suspended soil particles in the water. In addition to that waste water discharge from industries and urban areas also can bring large amounts of suspended particles to the water. Specially untreated effluent discharge illegally to the natural water causes can bring significant loads of suspended material. In addition to that the presence of bottom disturbing fish species such as large number of bottom feeders, which stir the bottom sediments can also contribute to higher turbidity. In addition to that excessive algal growthaln contribute to higher turbidity value. Turbidity may have direct and indirect impact on physical water properties and aquatic life. Increased turbidity can lead to the increase of water temperature due to the increased heat absorption by the particles. This subsequently can lead to low dissolved oxygen evel in the water. Increased turbidity also can lead to the less light penetration through the water column and leading to lesser primary production. In addition to such direct and indirect impacts on water quality