Guided Review – Water Quality
Water Quality and Why It Matters
Overview:
In this guided review, you will learn about the different water quality parameters, the ways they interact with one another, and the work being done to manage water quality. This review aims to identify instances of impaired water quality as well as the impacts it has on nearby communities. In the following resources, you will find information about how water quality is tested, why it is important to maintain, and how various stakeholders work to do so.
Objectives:
List and define the parameters that are used to assess water quality.
Examine and interpret water quality data.
Determine the ways in which water quality impacts nearby communities.
Explore the mitigation strategies that are used to maintain water quality.
Source: Rehan Hasan/EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm
Overview:
Many different factors, such as salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen can affect water quality. It is important to understand each of these factors, as they interact with and impact each other. In this module, you will learn about the basic water quality paramters, how they influence each other, and why they are monitored in bodies of water.
Objective:
List and define the parameters that are used to assess water quality.
Read:
Fact Sheet: “Vital Signs: The Five Basic Water Quality Parameters”
This fact sheet published by Arroyo Seco Foundation discusses the primary parameters that are used to assess water quality. Reflect on the following questions:
- Why are the five water quality parameters covered in this fact sheet important?
- How does turbidity impact water temperature? How does water temperature impact other water quality parameters?
Article: “Understanding Salinity”
This article from the Government of Western Australia details the reasons that salinity is important to the health of an ecosystem. Reflect on the following questions:
- How is freshwater defined? How does it compare to brackish water?
- What are the outcomes of rapid fluctuations in water salinity? Why is this important to water quality?
Watch:
Video (RT 29:11): “Explore More: Water Quality”
With this video produced by Iowa PBS, you will learn about water quality, why it is important, and what impacts it. Reflect on the following questions:
- What does the word “hydrology” refer to?
- What are some characteristics that can make a body of water susceptible to poor water quality?
Video (RT 5:08): “When is water safe to drink?”
This video from TED-Ed discusses the different characteristics of potable water and how individuals can determine if their water is safe to drink. Reflect on the following questions:
- What are some telltale signs that water is not safe to drink?
- How do these indicators relate to basic water quality parameters?
Explore:
Article: “pH and Water”
This piece from USGS addresses one of the more complex water quality parameters: pH. Reflect on the following questions:
- How does the pH of a body of water impact the ability of organisms within it to absorb nutrients?
- How does pH relate to the overall water quality of a body of water?
Click here to complete the quiz for this module.
What questions do you still have? Where could you find out more?
A water sample ready for testing (Source: Tim McCabe)
Overview:
Water quality is important to consider for a variety of reasons. The data and information that is produced by water quality monitoring can help to determine the overall health of a waterway. With the following resources, you will learn about the inferences that can be made based on water quality data.
Objective:
Examine and interpret water quality data.
Read:
Article: “With a pinch of salt”
In this article from NASA, you will read about an investigation into the changes in the salinity of Earth’s oceans. Reflect on the following questions:
- How did Peter Stott explain the relationship between ocean salinity and human-induced climate change?
- How can water quality data be used to make inferences about the factors that affect water?
Watch:
Video (RT 2:57): “Dolphins are dying at an alarming rate along the Gulf Coast. No one knows why”
This video from CBS This Morning investigates a bottlenose dolphin die-off in the Gulf of Mexico. Reflect on the following questions:
- What are some potential causes of this phenomenon?
- How can water quality data be used to investigate incidents like this?
- Based on this inferences may be made about other animals in the Gulf of Mexico?
Explore:
Online Tool: “USGS Water Quality Data”
With this tool from USGS, you will explore water quality data to make inferences about the overall health of Lake Pontchartrain near the New Canal Lighthouse. Observe the graphs below to view the water quality data. The preselected settings show water quality data from July 2020 to July 2021. Reflect on the following questions:
- Which of the water quality parameters fluctuated most during the period of time depicted?
- What can you determine from the dislayed data about this body of water? What additional information would help you determine the water quality in this waterway?
- Based on other materials in this review, what species might be able to live in this body of water?
- Based on the five main water quality parameters, explain why this water may or may not be safe for recreational activities?
Click here to complete the quiz for this module.
What questions do you still have? Where could you find out more?
Intersection of time out of compliance with water quality standards and social vulnerability. (Source: Fedinick et al.)
Overview:
Monitoring water quality is significant to the environment, aquatic species, and surrounding communities. Impaired water quality results innegative outcomes for public health, cultural connectivity, and more. With these resources, you will explore the ways that water quality affects the well-being of nearby communities.
Objective:
Determine the ways in which water quality impacts nearby communities.
Read:
Article: “Pollution, Poverty and People of Color: Don't Drink the Water”
In this article from the Scientific American, the author investigates the correlation between unsafe drinking water, race, and income. Reflect on the following questions:
- How does environmental racism play a role in the predicament faced by citizens of East Orosi?
- How does an impaired waterway impact quality of life for a community? Name some stressors that arise with impaired water quality.
Article: “Canada’s Obligation to End the First Nations Water Crisis”
This article from Human Rights Watch discusses the social impact of unsafe water on the First Nations communities in Canada. Reflect on the following questions:
- The article states that severe health issues were avoided through water advisories. What are the consequences of these water advisories?
- What are the cultural impacts of unsafe water? How are the cultural practices of some First Nations communities impacted by impaired water quality?
Watch:
Video (RT 3:49): “Flint's water crisis, explained in 3 minutes”
This video produced by Vox summarizes the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, explaining how it happened and the consequences it carries. Reflect on the following questions:
- How did lead end up in Flint, Michigan’s water?
- What are the public health implications of this change in water quality? What are the socioeconomic implications?
Explore:
Fact Sheet: “Harmful Algal Blooms (Red Tide)”
This summary from NOAA’s Ocean Service discusses Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and the ways they impair a community’s ability to utilize a waterway. Explore the resources on the web page and reflect on the following:
- What are the ramifications of HABs in a body of water that is commonly utilized for fishing or recreation?
- How might a HAB impact overall water quality in a given body of water? How might it impact the water quality parameters, such as temperature and dissolved oxygen levels?
Click here to complete the quiz for this module.
What questions do you still have? Where could you find out more?
NASA instrument to measure sea salinity from space (Source: NASA)
Overview:
Monitoring water quality parameters is only one step in the process of managing a body of water's overall water quality. Just as there are various interconnected water quality parameters, there are many ways that water quality can be impacted by external factors. In the following resources, you will learn about techniques that have been used to maintain water quality, as well as some recommendations for future improvements.
Objective:
Explore the mitigation strategies that are used to maintain water quality.
Read:
Data Report: “A Twenty-first Century U.S. Water Policy: Water and Environmental Justice”
This report published by Pacific Institute proposes a water policy that combines the existing and abundant resources of the United States with the principles of environmental justice. Go to page 75 of the report and find the section titled “Recommendations for Federal Water Policy.” Reflect on the following questions:
- What are some of the recommendations presented by the authors?
- Why is it necessary to prioritize environmental justice when developing water policy?
Article: “Army Corps of Engineers announces plan that will reduce freshwater releases into St. Lucie Estuary”
In this article from WPTV, you will read about a plan proposed in West Palm Beach, Florida to manage flooding and water quality fluctuations. Reflect on the following questions:
- Why did the Army Corps of Engineers decide on Alternative CC when it was not the best option for the St. Lucie Estuary?
- What are some potential setbacks of Alternative CC?
- Why is it important to solicit feedback from a variety of stakeholders when establishing plans that manage water quality?
Watch:
Video (RT 3:03): “Protecting Water Quality for People and the Environment”
This video from UNESCO shows the techniques utilized by different entities to maintain the water quality of the surrounding areas. Reflect on the following questions:
- What was the name of the technique used in Korea to improve water quality? What were some side benefits of this technique?
- What role does water quality monitoring play in water quality maintenance?
Explore:
Project Summary: “Opportunistic Use of Bonnet Carre Spillway”
This overview from the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force, summarizes a water diversion project that sought to address water quality issues in Lake Pontchartrain. Reflect on the following questions:
- What water quality parameter did this project address?
- How might other water quality parameters be impacted by this project?
Click here to complete the quiz for this module.
What questions do you still have? Where could you find out more?
