When you hear someone talk about water quality, it can be challenging to decipher exactly what they mean. The consensus is that good water is clean and safe for human consumption. On the other hand, inferior water quality may be unhealthy and unfit for human use. You may use several indicators to assess the quality of water that runs through your taps or that is supplied to your homes. Here are six leading indicators of water quality:

Color: Look at the color of the water. If it is clear and bright, it indicates that there is no chlorine in it. Also, if you see a muddy color, there is a lot of suspended material in the water. This material can include dirt or other pollutants from outside the water source. However, if you notice a brownish color, it may indicate that there are still traces of dissolved substances in the water.

Odor: A test tube may be used to determine the smell of the water. The odor indicator test gives a chemical reaction that will indicate any presence of specific organic compounds such as sulfur compounds. You may also check the pH level and see if it is either too high or too low. A test that looks at the temperature of the water may also help determine its chemical properties. For instance, a test that looks for heavy metals on the water can indicate the amount of contamination.

Taste: A sample of water may be used as a quality indicator. The tester will look for indications of salt, sugar, and residue from minerals. Some methods may be used to determine if the water quality is excellent or poor.

Chemical Analysis: The indicator results are usually compared with the standard data set. This is generally done using experimental techniques. For instance, some indicators can be used to determine the extent of contamination of a particular water supply. There are some historical records where records are kept for several years. By analyzing these records, a scientist can determine what the present contaminants in a particular water supply are.

It should be understood that the indicators are just basic things that you can consider to determine the water quality. It does not mean that all indicators are always accurate. For instance, the pH indicator does not indicate the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. Some other factors contribute to the hands we know today. The leading indicators of water quality will be helpful for you when you decide to take a particular water supply into your home.