St.

John’s Medical College

Department of Community Health
Exercises on water purification & quality:
A. Chlorination exercises:
1) Determine the quantity of bleaching powder with 25% available chlorine
required to chlorinate a well measuring 4 metres in length and 3 metres in
breadth with 6 metres of water in it. Horrocks test done on a sample of water
shows blue colour in the 3rd cup. Explain the practical procedure of
disinfection of the well.

Solution:
In order to determine the quantity of bleaching powder required to
chlorinate the given well, we need to find the latter’s volume. Given data:
1. l = 4 m
2. b = 3 m
Volume of water in the given = l x b x h x 1000 3. h = 6 m
4. Horrock’s test:
rectangular well (in l) 3rd cup +ve ,
5. Given bleaching
powder has
25% available
chlorine.
where, π =3.14, l=length of the well (in m), b= breadth of the well (in m),
h=height of the water column in the well (in m). (1 m3=1000 l)
Substituting the values in the above formula, we get:

Volume (V) = 4 x 3 x 6 x 1000

= 72000 l
Since Horrock’s test done on the given sample of well water shows blue
colour in 3rd cup onwards, 3 level spoonfuls of the Horrock’s apparatus,
i.e., 3 x 2g = 6g of the given bleaching powder would be required to
disinfect 455 l of the given sample of water.
455 l of well water require 6 g of the given bleaching powder.
∴ 72000 l of the well water require 72000 x 6 = 949.45g g
455

Horrock’s test result itself takes into account the strength of the
bleaching powder.
Hence 949.45 kg of the given bleaching powder with 25% available chlorine is
required to chlorinate the given well.

Practical Procedure of disinfection of the well

a. Finding the volume of water in the well:
1. Measuring the depth of water column: Tie a stone to one end of a rope and
let it sink till it just touches the bottom of the well. Pull the rope immediately &
measure the length of the rope from the stone tied end upto the upper end of
the water soaked part. Take average of several readings of the above
measurements. This gives the depth/height (h) of the water column, which is
expressed in meters. (6 m in the given case)
2. Measuring the length & breadth of the well: Stand outside the well & note
the distance of the rope placed across the top of the well along the longest
dimension. Take average of several readings of the above measurements.
This gives the length (l) of the water column, which is expressed in meters. (4
m in the given case). Similarly note the distance of the rope placed across the
top of the well along the shortest dimension, perpendicular to the length. Take
average of several readings of the above measurements. This gives the
breadth (b) of the water column, which is expressed in meters. (3 m in the
given case).
3. Calculation of the volume of well water (in litres) using the formula for
volume of a rectangular cuboid (in the given case) l x b x h x 1000
and by substitution of l,b & h, we get 72000 l

b. Finding the quantity of bleaching powder required for disinfection:

• Estimation of the chlorine demand of the well
water by Horrock’s apparatus (3rd cup +ve in the given case) & calculation of
the quantity of bleaching powder required (949.45 g in the given case)

c. Dissolution of the required bleaching powder:

• The required amount of bleaching powder for
disinfecting well is placed in a bucket (Not more than 100 gm at a time).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
 • More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th
full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to
sediment for 5 to 10 min when lime settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is
transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is discarded.

d. Delivery of the chlorine solution:

• The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into
the well some distance below water surface.
• The well water is agitated by moving the bucket
violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2
solution mixes intimately with water inside the well.

e. Contact period:
• A contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is drawn for use.

f. Measurement of residual chlorine:

• Orthotolidine arsenite (OTA) test at the end of contact period is done by
adding 0.1ml of OTA reagent to 1ml of the chlorinated well water as a
semiquantitative measure of free residual chlorine.
0.1ml OTA reagent + 1ml of the chlorinated well water ---> Yellow colour
matched against colour standards.
• Free residual chlorine level ≥0.5mg/l indicates proper disinfection. If it is
<0.5mg/l, the chlorination procedure should be repeated before any water is
drawn. Wells are best disinfected at night after the day’s draw off.

2 ) The 3rd cup in the Horrock's outfit gives a definite blue colour when the
indicator is added. Calculate the quantity of bleaching powder required to
disinfect a well 6 metres in diameter with 3 metres of water in it. Explain the
practical procedure of disinfection of the well.

Solution:
In order to determine the quantity of bleaching powder required to
chlorinate the given well, we need to find the latter’s volume. Given data:
1. d = 6 m
2. h = 3 m
Volume of water in the given = π x d2 x h x 1000 3. Horrock’s test:
cylindrical well (in l) 4 3rd cup +ve ,

where, π =3.14, d=diameter of the well (in m),

h=height of the water column in the well (in m). (1 m3=1000 l)
Substituting the values in the above formula, we get:
3.14 x 62 x 3 x 1000
Volume (V) = 4

3.14 x 36 x 3 x 1000
= 4

= 84780 l
Since Horrock’s test done on the given sample of well water shows blue
colour in 3rd cup onwards, 3 level spoonfuls of the Horrock’s apparatus,
i.e., 3 x 2g = 6g of the given bleaching powder would be required to
disinfect 455 l of the given sample of water.
455 l of well water require 6 g of the given bleaching powder.
∴ 84780 l of the well water require 84780 x 6 1117.98g
=
455 g

Horrock’s test result itself takes into account the strength of the
bleaching powder.
Hence 1.12 kg of the given bleaching powder is required to chlorinate the
given well.

Practical Procedure of disinfection of the well

a. Finding the volume of water in the well:
1. Measuring the depth of water column: Tie a stone to one end of a rope and
let it sink till it just touches the bottom of the well. Pull the rope immediately &
measure the length of the rope from the stone tied end upto the upper end of
the water soaked part. Take average of several readings of the above
measurements. This gives the depth/height (h) of the water column, which is
expressed in meters. (3 m in the given case)
2. Measuring the diameter of the well: Stand outside the well & note the
maximum distance of the rope placed across the top of the well. Note the
inner diameter of the well. Take average of several readings of the above
measurements. This gives the diameter (d) of the water column, which is
expressed in meters. (6 m in the given case)
3. Calculation of the volume of well water (in litres) using the formula for
volume of a cylinder (in the given case) π x d2 x h x 1000
4
and by substitution of d & h, we get 84780 l

b. Finding the quantity of bleaching powder required for disinfection:

• Estimation of the chlorine demand of the well
water by Horrock’s apparatus (3rd cup +ve in the given case) & calculation of
the quantity of bleaching powder required (1118 g in the given case)

c. Dissolution of the required bleaching powder:

• The required amount of bleaching powder for
disinfecting well is placed in a bucket (Not more than 100 gm at a time).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
• More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th
full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to
sediment for 5 to 10 min when lime settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is
transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is discarded.

d. Delivery of the chlorine solution:

 • The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into
the well some distance below water surface.
• The well water is agitated by moving the bucket
violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2
solution mixes intimately with water inside the well.

e. Contact period:
• A contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is drawn for use.

f. Measurement of residual chlorine:

• Orthotolidine arsenite (OTA) test at the end of contact period is done by
adding 0.1ml of OTA reagent to 1ml of the chlorinated well water as a
semiquantitative measure of free residual chlorine.
0.1ml OTA reagent + 1ml of the chlorinated well water ---> Yellow colour
matched against colour standards.
• Free residual chlorine level ≥0.5mg/l indicates proper disinfection. If it is
<0.5mg/l, the chlorination procedure should be repeated before any water is
drawn. Wells are best disinfected at night after the day’s draw off.

3 ) Determine the quantity of bleaching powder with 20% available chlorine

required to chlorinate a rectangular well measuring 4 metres in length, 2
metres in breadth with 8 metres of water. Horrocks test done on a sample of
water shows blue colour in the 4th cup. Explain the practical procedure of
disinfection of the well.
Given data:
Solution: 1. l = 4 m
In order to determine the quantity of bleaching powder required 2. b = 2 m
3. h = 8 m
To chlorinate the given well, we need to find the latter’s volume. 4. Horrock’s test:
4rd cup +ve ,
5. Given bleaching
Volume of water in the given = l x b x h x 1000
powder has 20%
rectangular well (in l) available chlorine.
where, π =3.14, l=length of the well (in m), b= breadth of the well (in m),
h=height of the water column in the well (in m). (1 m3=1000 l)
Substituting the values in the above formula, we get:

Volume (V) = 4 x 2 x 8 x 1000

= 64000 l
Since Horrock’s test done on the given sample of well water shows blue
colour in 4th cup onwards, 4 level spoonfuls of the Horrock’s apparatus,
i.e., 4 x 2g = 8g of the given bleaching powder would be required to
disinfect 455 l of the given sample of water.
455 l of well water require 8 g of the given bleaching powder.
∴ 64000 l of the well water require 64000 x 8 1125.74g
=
455 g

Horrock’s test result itself takes into account the strength of the
bleaching powder.
Hence 1.13 kg of the given bleaching powder with 20% available chlorine is
required to chlorinate the given well.

Practical Procedure of disinfection of the well

a. Finding the volume of water in the well:
1. Measuring the depth of water column: Tie a stone to one end of a rope and
let it sink till it just touches the bottom of the well. Pull the rope immediately &
measure the length of the rope from the stone tied end upto the upper end of
the water soaked part. Take average of several readings of the above
measurements. This gives the depth/height (h) of the water column, which is
expressed in meters. (8 m in the given case)
2. Measuring the length & breadth of the well: Stand outside the well & note
the distance of the rope placed across the top of the well along the longest
dimension. Take average of several readings of the above measurements.
This gives the length (l) of the water column, which is expressed in meters. (4
m in the given case). Similarly note the distance of the rope placed across the
top of the well along the shortest dimension, perpendicular to the length. Take
average of several readings of the above measurements. This gives the
breadth (b) of the water column, which is expressed in meters. (2 m in the
given case).
3. Calculation of the volume of well water (in litres) using the formula for
volume of a rectangular cuboid (in the given case) l x b x h x 1000
and by substitution of l,b & h, we get 64000 l

b. Finding the quantity of bleaching powder required for disinfection:

• Estimation of the chlorine demand of the well
water by Horrock’s apparatus (4th cup +ve in the given case) & calculation of
the quantity of bleaching powder required (1126 g in the given case)

c. Dissolution of the required bleaching powder:

• The required amount of bleaching powder for
disinfecting well is placed in a bucket (Not more than 100 gm at a time).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
• More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th
full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to
sediment for 5 to 10 min when lime settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is
transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is discarded.

d. Delivery of the chlorine solution:

• The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into
the well some distance below water surface.
• The well water is agitated by moving the bucket
violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2
solution mixes intimately with water inside the well.
 e. Contact period:
• A contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is drawn for use.

f. Measurement of residual chlorine:

• Orthotolidine arsenite (OTA) test at the end of contact period is done by
adding 0.1ml of OTA reagent to 1ml of the chlorinated well water as a
semiquantitative measure of free residual chlorine.
0.1ml OTA reagent + 1ml of the chlorinated well water ---> Yellow colour
matched against colour standards.
• Free residual chlorine level ≥0.5mg/l indicates proper disinfection. If it is
<0.5mg/l, the chlorination procedure should be repeated before any water is
drawn. Wells are best disinfected at night after the day’s draw off.

4) Determine the quantity of bleaching powder required to disinfect a well 3

metres diameter with 5 metres of water in it given that the 4th cup in Horrock's
test gives a definite blue colour.

Solution:
In order to determine the quantity of bleaching powder required to
Given data:
chlorinate the given well, we need to find the latter’s volume. 1. d = 3 m
2. h = 5 m
3. Horrock’s test:
Volume of water in the given = π x d2 x h x 1000 4th cup +ve ,
cylindrical well (in l) 4

where, π =3.14, d=diameter of the well (in m),

h=height of the water column in the well (in m). (1 m3=1000 l)
Substituting the values in the above formula, we get:
3.14 x 32 x 5 x 1000
Volume (V) = 4

3.14 x 9 x 5 x 1000
= 4

= 35325 l
Since Horrock’s test done on the given sample of well water shows blue
colour in 4th cup onwards, 4 level spoonfuls of the Horrock’s apparatus,
i.e., 4 x 2g = 8g of the given bleaching powder would be required to
disinfect 455 l of the given sample of water.
455 l of well water require 8 g of the given bleaching powder.
∴ 35325 l of the well water require 35325 x 8 = 621.09 g
455

Horrock’s test result itself takes into account the strength of the
bleaching powder.
Hence 621.1g of the given bleaching powder is required to chlorinate the given well.

5) A rectangular well measuring 2m X 3m X with 7 metres of water is to be

disinfected. Horrock's test done on a sample of water shows blue coloration in
the 4th, 5th and 6th cups. Calculate the amount of bleaching powder required
to chlorinate the water in the well and explain the practical procedure in
disinfection.

Solution:
Given data:
In order to determine the quantity of bleaching powder required to
1. l = 3 m
chlorinate the given well, we need to find the latter’s volume. 2. b = 2 m
3. h = 7 m
4. Horrock’s test:
Volume of water in the given = l x b x h x 1000 4th cup +ve ,
rectangular well (in l)

where, π =3.14, l=length of the well (in m), b= breadth of the well (in m),
h=height of the water column in the well (in m). (1 m3=1000 l)
Substituting the values in the above formula, we get:

Volume (V) = 3 x 2 x 7 x 1000

= 42000 l
Since Horrock’s test done on the given sample of well water shows blue
colour in 4th cup onwards, 4 level spoonfuls of the Horrock’s apparatus,
i.e., 4 x 2g = 8g of the given bleaching powder would be required to
disinfect 455 l of the given sample of water.
455 l of well water require 8 g of the given bleaching powder.
∴ 42000 l of the well water require 42000 x 8 = 738.46g g
455

Horrock’s test result itself takes into account the strength of the
bleaching powder.
Hence 738.46 kg of the given bleaching powder is required to chlorinate the
given well.

Practical Procedure of disinfection of the well

a. Finding the volume of water in the well:
1. Measuring the depth of water column: Tie a stone to one end of a rope and
let it sink till it just touches the bottom of the well. Pull the rope immediately &
measure the length of the rope from the stone tied end upto the upper end of
the water soaked part. Take average of several readings of the above
measurements. This gives the depth/height (h) of the water column, which is
expressed in meters. (7 m in the given case)
2. Measuring the length & breadth of the well: Stand outside the well & note
the distance of the rope placed across the top of the well along the longest
dimension. Take average of several readings of the above measurements.
This gives the length (l) of the water column, which is expressed in meters. (3
m in the given case). Similarly note the distance of the rope placed across the
top of the well along the shortest dimension, perpendicular to the length. Take
average of several readings of the above measurements. This gives the
breadth (b) of the water column, which is expressed in meters. (2 m in the
given case).
3. Calculation of the volume of well water (in litres) using the formula for
volume of a rectangular cuboid (in the given case) l x b x h x 1000
and by substitution of l,b & h, we get 42000 l

b. Finding the quantity of bleaching powder required for disinfection:

 • Estimation of the chlorine demand of the well
water by Horrock’s apparatus (4th cup +ve in the given case) & calculation of
the quantity of bleaching powder required (738.46 g in the given case)

c. Dissolution of the required bleaching powder:

• The required amount of bleaching powder for
disinfecting well is placed in a bucket (Not more than 100 gm at a time).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
• More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th
full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to
sediment for 5 to 10 min when lime settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is
transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is discarded.

d. Delivery of the chlorine solution:

• The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into
the well some distance below water surface.
• The well water is agitated by moving the bucket
violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2
solution mixes intimately with water inside the well.

e. Contact period:
• A contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is drawn for use.

f. Measurement of residual chlorine:

• Orthotolidine arsenite (OTA) test at the end of contact period is done by
adding 0.1ml of OTA reagent to 1ml of the chlorinated well water as a
semiquantitative measure of free residual chlorine.
0.1ml OTA reagent + 1ml of the chlorinated well water ---> Yellow colour
matched against colour standards.
 • Free residual chlorine level ≥0.5mg/l indicates proper disinfection. If it is
<0.5mg/l, the chlorination procedure should be repeated before any water is
drawn. Wells are best disinfected at night after the day’s draw off.

6) A rectangular well measuring 2m X 3m with 9 metres of water is to be

disinfected. Horrock’s test done on a sample of water shows blue colour in the
3rd cup. Calculate the amount of bleaching powder required to chlorinate the
water in the well and explain the practical procedure.

Solution:
In order to determine the quantity of bleaching powder required to
Given data:
chlorinate the given well, we need to find the latter’s volume.
1. l = 3 m
2. b =2 m
3. h = 9 m
Volume of water in the given = l x b x h x 1000
4. Horrock’s test:
rectangular well (in l) 3rd cup +ve ,

where, π =3.14, l=length of the well (in m), b= breadth of the well (in m),
h=height of the water column in the well (in m). (1 m3=1000 l)
Substituting the values in the above formula, we get:

Volume (V) = 3 x 2 x 9 x 1000

= 54000 l
Since Horrock’s test done on the given sample of well water shows blue
colour in 3rd cup onwards, 3 level spoonfuls of the Horrock’s apparatus,
i.e., 3 x 2g = 6g of the given bleaching powder would be required to
disinfect 455 l of the given sample of water.
455 l of well water require 6 g of the given bleaching powder.
∴ 54000 l of the well water require 54000 x 6 = 712.09g g
455

Horrock’s test result itself takes into account the strength of the
bleaching powder.
Hence 712.09 kg of the given bleaching powder is required to chlorinate the
given well.

Practical Procedure of disinfection of the well

a. Finding the volume of water in the well:
1. Measuring the depth of water column: Tie a stone to one end of a rope and
let it sink till it just touches the bottom of the well. Pull the rope immediately &
measure the length of the rope from the stone tied end upto the upper end of
the water soaked part. Take average of several readings of the above
measurements. This gives the depth/height (h) of the water column, which is
expressed in meters. (9 m in the given case)
2. Measuring the length & breadth of the well: Stand outside the well & note
the distance of the rope placed across the top of the well along the longest
dimension. Take average of several readings of the above measurements.
This gives the length (l) of the water column, which is expressed in meters. (3
m in the given case). Similarly note the distance of the rope placed across the
top of the well along the shortest dimension, perpendicular to the length. Take
average of several readings of the above measurements. This gives the
breadth (b) of the water column, which is expressed in meters. (2 m in the
given case).
3. Calculation of the volume of well water (in litres) using the formula for
volume of a rectangular cuboid (in the given case) l x b x h x 1000
and by substitution of l,b & h, we get 54000 l

b. Finding the quantity of bleaching powder required for disinfection:

• Estimation of the chlorine demand of the well
water by Horrock’s apparatus (3rd cup +ve in the given case) & calculation of
the quantity of bleaching powder required (712.09 g in the given case)

c. Dissolution of the required bleaching powder:

• The required amount of bleaching powder for
disinfecting well is placed in a bucket (Not more than 100 gm at a time).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
 • More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th
full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to
sediment for 5 to 10 min when lime settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is
transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is discarded.

d. Delivery of the chlorine solution:

• The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into
the well some distance below water surface.
• The well water is agitated by moving the bucket
violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2
solution mixes intimately with water inside the well.

e. Contact period:
• A contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is drawn for use.

f. Measurement of residual chlorine:

• Orthotolidine arsenite (OTA) test at the end of contact period is done by
adding 0.1ml of OTA reagent to 1ml of the chlorinated well water as a
semiquantitative measure of free residual chlorine.
0.1ml OTA reagent + 1ml of the chlorinated well water ---> Yellow colour
matched against colour standards.
• Free residual chlorine level ≥0.5mg/l indicates proper disinfection. If it is
<0.5mg/l, the chlorination procedure should be repeated before any water is
drawn. Wells are best disinfected at night after the day’s draw off.

7) Determine the quantity of bleaching powder with 25% available chlorine

required to chlorinate a well 5 meters in diameter and 6 meters of water
Horrocks test done on a sample of water shows blue colour in the 5th and 6th
cup. Explain the practical procedure of disinfection of the well.

Solution:
Given data:
In order to determine the quantity of bleaching powder required to 1. d = 5 m
chlorinate the given well, we need to find the latter’s volume. 2. h = 6 m
3. Horrock’s test:
5th cup +ve ,
Volume of water in the given = π x d2 x h x 1000 4. Given bleaching
powder has
cylindrical well (in l) 4
25% available
chlorine.
where, π =3.14, d=diameter of the well (in m),
h=height of the water column in the well (in m). (1 m3=1000 l)
Substituting the values in the above formula, we get:
3.14 x 52 x 6 x 1000
Volume (V) = 4

3.14 x 25 x 6 x 1000
= 4

= 117750 l
Since Horrock’s test done on the given sample of well water shows blue
colour in 5th cup onwards, 5 level spoonfuls of the Horrock’s apparatus,
i.e., 5 x 2g = 10g of the given bleaching powder would be required to
disinfect 455 l of the given sample of water.
455 l of well water require 10 g of the given bleaching powder.
∴ 17750 l of the well water require 117750 x 10 = 2587.9 g
455

Horrock’s test result itself takes into account the strength of the
bleaching powder.
Hence 2.59 kg of the given bleaching powder with 25% available chlorine is
required to chlorinate the given well.

Practical Procedure of disinfection of the well

a. Finding the volume of water in the well:
1. Measuring the depth of water column: Tie a stone to one end of a rope and
let it sink till it just touches the bottom of the well. Pull the rope immediately &
measure the length of the rope from the stone tied end upto the upper end of
the water soaked part. Take average of several readings of the above
measurements. This gives the depth/height (h) of the water column, which is
expressed in meters. (6 m in the given case)
2. Measuring the diameter of the well: Stand outside the well & note the
maximum distance of the rope placed across the top of the well. Note the
inner diameter of the well. Take average of several readings of the above
measurements. This gives the diameter (d) of the water column, which is
expressed in meters. (5 m in the given case)
3. Calculation of the volume of well water (in litres) using the formula for
volume of a cylinder (in the given case) π x d2 x h x 1000
4
and by substitution of d & h, we get 117750 l

b. Finding the quantity of bleaching powder required for disinfection:

• Estimation of the chlorine demand of the well
water by Horrock’s apparatus (5th cup +ve in the given case) & calculation of
the quantity of bleaching powder required (2587.9 g in the given case)

c. Dissolution of the required bleaching powder:

• The required amount of bleaching powder for
disinfecting well is placed in a bucket (Not more than 100 gm at a time).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
• More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th
full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to
sediment for 5 to 10 min when lime settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is
transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is discarded.

d. Delivery of the chlorine solution:

 • The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into
the well some distance below water surface.
• The well water is agitated by moving the bucket
violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2
solution mixes intimately with water inside the well.

e. Contact period:
• A contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is drawn for use.

f. Measurement of residual chlorine:

• Orthotolidine arsenite (OTA) test at the end of contact period is done by
adding 0.1ml of OTA reagent to 1ml of the chlorinated well water as a
semiquantitative measure of free residual chlorine.
0.1ml OTA reagent + 1ml of the chlorinated well water ---> Yellow colour
matched against colour standards.
• Free residual chlorine level ≥0.5mg/l indicates proper disinfection. If it is
<0.5mg/l, the chlorination procedure should be repeated before any water is
drawn. Wells are best disinfected at night after the day’s draw off.

B. Water quality:
1) A sample of water when analysed, shows that the Coliform count is 15 per
100ml. Traces of Nitrites and Chlorides in excess of the normal are found.
Comment on the quality of water and give your opinion with reasons whether it
is fit or unfit for drinking.

Solution:
Constituent Given Values Expected Values
Coliform count 15/100 ml 0/100 ml
Nitrites >3 ppm ≤3 ppm
Chlorides >200 ppm 100-200 ppm

Quality of the given sample of water for drinking purpose:

I. Microbiological aspect:
Bacteriological indicator
1. Coliforms:
Coliforms are foreign to potable water and hence their presence in water is looked
upon as evidence of recent fecal contamination. Their presence in the given water
sample indicates the propable presence of intestinal pathogens. Immediate
investigative action must be taken if coliforms are detected in drinking water.
Normal range of coliform – 0/100ml of water.

II. Acceptability aspect:

Inorganic constituent
1. Chlorides :
Chlorides result from organic pollution and salts. In the given sample of water,
excess of chlorides over the normal range arouses suspicion of water contamination.
The high level of salinity affects the taste & also causes corrosion of metallic vessels.
Normal range : 100-300 mg/l

III. Chemical aspect:

Health related inorganic constituent
1. Nitrites
Nitrates originate from decomposing organic matter indicating recent pollution.
Excess of nitrates result in Methaemoglobinemia. Nitrates are converted into nitrites
which indicate past contamination. In the given sample of water, traces of nitrites
indicate past contamination.
Normal range : Nitrites ≤ 3 mg l

∴ the given water sample is polluted probably with sewage and not fit for drinking.

2. Give a detailed report on this water sample and state whether it is potable:

Constituent Given Values

Total solids 250 ppm
Total hardness 180 ppm
Free ammonia 0.244 ppm
 Albuminoid ammonia 0.81 ppm
Nitrites 0.005 ppm
Nitrates 21.0 ppm
Chlorides 45.00 ppm
Coliform count 15/100 ml

Interpretation:
Constituent Given Values Expected Values
Total solids 250 ppm < 650 ppm
Total hardness 180 ppm 50-150 ppm
Free ammonia 0.244 ppm < 0.05 ppm
Albuminoid ammonia 0.81 ppm < 0.1 ppm
Nitrites 0.005 ppm ≤ 3 ppm
Nitrates 21.0 ppm 50 ppm
Chlorides 45.00 ppm 100 – 300 ppm
Coliform count 15/100 ml 0/100 ml

Quality of the given sample of water for drinking purpose:

I. Acceptability aspect:
Inorganic constituents
1. Total solids:
Total dissolved solids (TDS) can have an important effect on the taste of
drinking water. The palatability of water with a TDS level of less than 600mg/l
is generally considered to be good. Water with extremely low concentrations
of TDS may be unacceptable because of its flat, insipid taste. The presence of
high level of TDS may also be objectionable to consumers owing to excessive
scaling in water pipes, heaters. boilers and household appliances.
2. Hardness:
Drinking water should be moderately hard.

3. Free ammonia: The given sample has value which is more than the
recommended limit for free (NH3) ans saline(NH4+) ammonia. It indicates
contamination due to sewage & industrial waste, and decomposition of
organic matter with recent pollution.
4. Albuminoid ammonia: The given sample has value which is more than the
recommended limit. It indicates undecomposed organic matter with recent
pollution.

Ammonia in the environment originates from metabolic, agricultural and

industrial processes and from disinfection with chloramine Intensive rearing of
farm animals can give rise to much higher levels in surface water. Ammonia
contamination can also arise from cement mortar pipe linings. Ammonia in
water is an indicator of possible bacterial, sewage and animal waste pollution.
Ammonia can compromise disinfection efficiency, result in nitrite formation in
distribution systems, can cause the failure of filters for the removal of
manganese, and cause taste and odour problems.

4. Chlorides :
Chlorides result from organic pollution and salts. In the given sample of water, deficit
of chlorides under the normal range indicates no contamination of water thereby not
interfering in taste & causes no corrosion of metallic vessels.

II. Chemical aspect:

Health related inorganic constituent
1. Nitrites:
Nitrates are converted into nitrites which indicate past contamination. In the
given sample of water, value of nitrites is less than the recommended value,
hence it indicates no past contamination.
Normal range : Nitrites ≤ 3 mg l

2. Nitrates:
Nitrates originate from decomposing organic matter indicating recent pollution
and bacterial activity. Excess of nitrates result in Methaemoglobinemia. In the
given sample of water, value of nitrates is less than the recommended value,
hence it indicates no recent pollution.
Normal range: Nitrates ≤ 50 mg l
Because of the possibility of simultaneous occurrence of nitrite and nitrate in
drinking water, the sum of the ratios of the concentration of each to its
guideline value should not exceed 1, i.e.

0.005 + 21 = 0.42 which is ≤ 1

3 50

III. Microbiological aspect:

Bacteriological indicator
1. Coliforms:
Coliforms are foreign to potable water and hence their presence in water is looked
upon as evidence of recent fecal contamination. Their presence in the given water
sample indicates the propable presence of intestinal pathogens. Immediate
investigative action must be taken if coliforms are detected in drinking water.
Normal range of coliform – 0/100ml of water.

Hence it is not potable.