Water is finite, despite how plentiful it appears to be. And safe water for human and animal consumption is even more scarce. 2 billion people globally do not have adequate access to clean drinking water. Even when water sources are available, the water is still likely to be unsafe due to the increasing number of pollutants. This makes water quality testing a crucial component in the management of water. Frequent testing of water provides insights into seasonal and long-term influences on water sources. This data provides the basis for water policies and gives directions for the proper management of water sources. 

How to Set Up an Effective Water Quality Testing Program?

Several factors are involved in setting up a program to test the quality of water. Therefore, it is important to first begin by setting goals, objectives, and parameters for your water testing program. 

Step 1: Goal Setting

The first question to ask is why you are setting up the water testing program in the first place. What is the overarching objective of the program? Are you testing water for domestic use or environmental protection? 

According to Sanders et al. 1987, “the objective of water quality monitoring is to obtain quantitative information on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water via statistical sampling.” 

Identifying your goals will point you in the direction of the resources and expertise you will need to support the program. Here are the crucial aspects to be defined:

What type of contaminants are being tested?

• Chemical
• Suspended matter
• Microbiological
• Heavy metals

What are the likely sources of contamination?

• Air pollution
• Discharge from industries
• Groundwater seepage
• Soil erosion

What is the level of contamination?

This can only be identified through analysis which we shall look at in the section below. The presence of water contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water is unusable or unsafe. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L) as the maximum safe limit for arsenic in water. This means if the level of arsenic in water is below 10 µg/L, there should be no concern. 

Who are the stakeholders?

Every water testing project has stakeholders beginning with the local community, government, and private partners such as NGOs. Understanding who the stakeholders are will provide direction on the correct design of the project.

Step 2: Identify Parameters Pertaining to Water Quality Testing

This is a continuation of step one above and includes the type of contaminants to be tested. This may be based on local standards, stakeholder interests, or the type of contaminants that are prevalent. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines on international standards for water quality. 

Physical testing: This entails assessing the physical properties of water such as the color, odor, turbidity, and temperature. 

Microbial testing: Testing for the presence of microorganisms that are common in water sources such as E coli. 

Chemical testing:  This involves conducting tests to detect the presence of chemical pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides, and various organic compounds.

Step 3: Create a sampling plan

Your goals and testing parameters will help you come up with an appropriate sampling plan. First, you will need to identify the scope of the target population which could be a community, school, health facility, etc. The sampling plan should include specific information about the location from where the water will be collected, the volume to be collected, the methods and techniques to be used, the preservatives to be used, and holding times. It is also important to indicate the quality assurance, quality control, and desired data quality objectives (DQOs). 

Step 4: Partnering With Water Testing Laboratories

A water testing plan is incomplete without involving water testing laboratories. These laboratories will analyze the water based on the samples that have been provided, testing parameters, and acceptance limit of contaminant quantity. They will provide a certificate of analysis (CoA) indicating the presence and concentration of all the contaminants which will be delivered to all stakeholders. This is the data that will be used in policymaking on water safety. It is important for the laboratory to collaborate extensively with the stakeholders to ensure that the testing process is in line with the overall objectives of the program. 

How Does a Water LIMS System Support Quality Management in Water Testing Labs?

A laboratory can easily get overwhelmed by a water testing project that involves different stakeholders with diverse testing objectives. Such a program may have numerous samples and metadata involved as well as regulatory requirements that need to be complied with. 

A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) helps water testing laboratories automate their processes and streamline workflows with the overall aim of boosting testing accuracy and productivity. A water LIMS system helps in managing quality control samples and comparing their test results with actual samples to determine analytical errors at early stages. It maintains complete traceability of samples right from the time they enter a lab till the time they are disposed of. Furthermore, a water LIMS system enables laboratories to integrate with instruments for easier transfer of data from the instruments to the system, thereby maintaining data integrity. It further allows for the customization of CoAs and other reports. A cloud-hosted water LIMS allows laboratories to share test results in real-time with all stakeholders, reducing the turnaround time. 

Conclusion

Safe and clean drinking water is a scarce resource. Implementing an effective water quality testing program provides valuable insights into the seasonal variations and long-term influences of water quality, facilitating informed decisions for developing policies to protect and manage the precious water resources. A robust water testing program that begins with a comprehensive understanding of the goals and objectives followed by outlining the testing parameters based on the objectives, and creating a sampling plan is paramount in safeguarding the availability of safe and clean water for all. However, a water testing program cannot be complete without involving water testing laboratories. Digitization tools such as a water LIMS system can help laboratories streamline testing processes, ensure data integrity, and share results in real-time, empowering stakeholders to take timely action. 

In a nutshell, a comprehensive water quality testing program coupled with advanced technology can go a long way in shaping evidence-based policies that drive a sustainable future.

Heavy metals are commonly found in water and can pose significant health risks. Acute exposure to these metals can result in serious health problems or even death, while chronic exposure can cause severe health issues that develop slowly over time. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the common heavy metals found in water and the potential health risks associated with them. We’ll also explore the various techniques used to analyze metals in water and how a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) can help water testing laboratories efficiently manage the data generated from these analyses.

Acute and Chronic Metal Poisoning

Acute heavy metal poisoning typically happens when someone is exposed to a large amount of metal at once, such as during an industrial spill. Heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury, chromium, and zinc are commonly used in industrial processes, including color pigments and alloys, and can pose a risk to workers. If someone experiences acute exposure to heavy metals, it can lead to serious health problems or even death.

There is mounting evidence that long-term, low-level exposure to heavy metals can also have harmful health effects. The primary source of exposure for humans is often contaminated drinking water, which has led to high rates of illness and death worldwide. Symptoms of chronic heavy metal poisoning can be severe, but they generally develop more slowly over time compared to acute exposure symptoms.

Common Heavy Metals Found in Water and Their Potential Health Risks

There are several heavy metals that can commonly be found in water and have the potential to cause health issues.

• Aluminium

The primary source of aluminium in water is the leaching of rock and soil, as well as from excessive dosing in treatment plants. Its presence in water can result in changes in taste and color, as well as discoloration of skin and teeth. Dialysis patients are at a particularly high risk of experiencing adverse effects from aluminum exposure.

• Barium

The presence of barium in water can be traced back to sources such as mineral deposits, disposal of drilling wastes, smelting of copper, and manufacturing of motor vehicle parts. The potential health hazards associated with exposure to barium include various symptoms such as breathing difficulties, elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal irritation, brain inflammation, muscle weakness, and damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and spleen.

• Arsenic

Arsenic in water can be attributed to various sources, such as leaching from natural deposits, wood preservatives, pesticides, industrial deposits, petroleum production, semiconductor manufacturing, or coal power plants. Arsenic contamination can cause severe skin problems, and long-term exposure is associated with a greater risk of developing certain types of cancer and heart disease. 

• Cadmium

Cadmium can infiltrate water from a range of sources, including natural deposits that erode over time, discharges from metal refineries, and runoff from recycling plants or waste batteries. Brief exposure to cadmium can lead to flu-like symptoms and harm the lungs, whereas prolonged exposure can lead to various diseases affecting the kidneys, bones, and lungs.

• Copper

Copper contamination in water can stem from various sources such as industrial waste discharge or the leaching and pollution of water due to the corrosion of copper pipes used in plumbing. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal illness, abdominal and muscle pain can be observed in individuals suffering from acute copper poisoning, whereas liver poisoning and kidney failure have been reported in severe cases.

• Lead

Older buildings that have not undergone renovations in years may still have lead pipes, as well as brass fittings and solder that contain lead. Lead can also come from other sources such as industrial activities, mining, and smelting. Excessive levels of lead in drinking water can lead to lead poisoning, which is associated with several health issues such as headaches, high blood pressure, kidney failure, miscarriage, and premature birth.

• Mercury

The primary sources of mercury in water are natural deposits and emissions from volcanic activity, forest fires, and fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. Human activities such as mining, pulp, and paper production also contribute to the release of mercury, resulting in a gradual rise in mercury levels in the environment. The presence of mercury in water can lead to various health risks, such as alterations in hair and fingernail appearance, damage to the peripheral nervous system, and feelings of fatigue and irritability.

• Selenium

The primary origins of selenium in water are volcanic eruptions, as well as the burning of fossil fuels and industrial byproducts. Exposure to high levels of selenium over a brief period can result in health concerns such as headaches, insomnia, kidney damage, and memory impairment.

What are Some of the Common Techniques for Analyzing Heavy Metals in Water?

Spectrometry techniques are frequently employed to analyze the presence of metals in water since they offer the necessary sensitivity to satisfy diverse regulatory requirements worldwide. The methods used to test for metals in water include Atomic Absorption spectrometry (AA), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). AA is a technique that analyzes one element at a time using a flame or graphite furnace, while ICP-OES can test for multiple elements simultaneously or sequentially. ICP-MS is a highly sensitive method that uses an inductively coupled plasma to ionize the sample, enabling faster and more precise analysis than AA.

Speciation analysis is used to separate and quantify different molecular forms of these compounds. It’s also used to determine if toxic types of arsenic or mercury are present in water. 

How Does a Water LIMS System Streamline Water Testing Laboratory Operations?

Spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool for detecting and quantifying the presence of metals in water samples. However, the sheer volume of data generated from spectrometry analysis can be overwhelming for water testing laboratories. That’s where a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) comes in. A Water LIMS system streamlines laboratory workflows by managing and tracking samples, instruments, and data at a centralized location. With a water LIMS system, water testing laboratories can easily manage and monitor sample analysis, generate reports, and ensure regulatory compliance. A water LIMS system also allows for greater automation of tasks, such as sample tracking, instrument calibration scheduling, and transferring test results from instruments to a LIMS, thereby reducing the risk of errors and improving laboratory efficiency. Overall, the combination of spectrometry and LIMS is a powerful combination for ensuring accurate and efficient water testing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, heavy metals in water are a significant concern, and exposure to them can cause severe health problems. While acute heavy metal poisoning occurs from exposure to a large amount of metal at once, chronic exposure can cause severe health issues that develop slowly over time. Aluminium, barium, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and selenium are some of the most common heavy metals found in water and have the potential to cause health issues. Techniques such as Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AA), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used to test for metals in water, and Speciation analysis can help determine the type of metal present. A LIMS can also help manage the data generated from these analyses and automate workflows for higher efficiency. It is essential to take steps to ensure the safety of the water supply and prevent exposure to heavy metals to protect public health.