Water Quality And Contamination

Introduction

Background-
The ever-increasing popularity of bottled water means that it is important to analyze not only its mineral content but also, above all, it’s content of possible contaminants, especially the organic ones. In this respect, bottled waters are a special case, because apart from organic chemical contaminants derived from the well from which they were acquired, their secondary contamination is always possible, during treatment or storage or transport in unsuitable conditions (sunlight and elevated temperature). There are a number of federal statutes passed by Congress and signed into law by the President that are central to the Office of Water’s mission.

In addition, Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) play a central role in a number of Office of Water activities. EOs is legally binding orders that direct EPA and other federal agencies in their execution of congressionally established laws and policies. One of the common quality parameters for drinking water is residual aluminum. High doses of residual aluminum in drinking water or water used in the food industry have been proved to be at least a minor health risk or even to increase the risk of more serious health effects, and cause economic losses to the water treatment plant.

Objective-
The bottled water industry has become a billion dollar industry within the USA and other countries. People and I are paying for bottled water that has the same or more chemical contaminants as our tap water. This experiment allowed me to test and see for myself just how true this really is/was.

Hypotheses-
Hypothesis = I believe that the Fiji water will have the least contaminants, being that it’s the most expensive. I think that tap water will have the most contaminants, because it has not been through the same process as the Fiji water.

Materials and Methods-
The necessary materials needed for this experiment where; 250ml beakers, 100ml beakers, tap water, Dasani water, and Fiji water. Specific test strips in the names of Ammonia, Chloride, Phosphate, Total Iron, and a 4 in 1 test strips which tests ph, total chlorine, total alkalinity, total hardness. I also had a test strip key to know what and how many mg/L of contaminants in the water. Before I could begin the experiment I first labeled each of the 250ml and 100ml beakers with the three waters to be tested (i.e. Dasani, Fiji, and tap water). My second step was to pour 100ml from the 250ml beaker into the same name 100ml beaker.

After completing my second step it was then time to start testing the waters. The first test I gave was on how much ammonia was in the waters, I did so by using the ammonia test strips. After getting the results I recorded them on the table. The next test I did was the Chloride test, using the Chloride test strips to test all three waters. I recorded the results on the table. I then ran the 4 in 1 Test on the water with the 4 in 1 test strips, recorded results on table. I ran the Phosphate test next using the phosphate test strips. When I finished the phosphate test I put the results in the table as well. The last test that I did on the waters was the iron test, and recorded the data on the data reporting table with the other water test results.

There was 0 mg/L of ammonia in all; there was 0 mg/L of chloride in all. The ph levels however where different in all three. Alkalinity was the same in all three. There was total chlorine in Fiji and the other two waters had none. The total hardness was the same in the tap water and Dasani but Fiji was 70 mg/L higher. Phosphate levels varied between the three waters. There was 0 ppm of iron in tap water and Fiji, however Dasani did have iron.

Discussion
Hypotheses-
My hypothesis was proven to be wrong for the bottled water and tap water experiment. In doing the experiment, I found out that the tap water had the least contaminants. One would have thought that the expensive bottled water would have the least. We the consumers are paying for water that is not the best. One would have thought that if you’re paying you would be getting the best.

Context-
I think that the bottled companies have made millions on selling bottled water, which is supposedly is the best water. After performing the test I definitely do not think that spending money on bottled water is worth it. The tap water in my home came out to be the better water out of the three waters which included Dasani and Fiji as well. I myself have not bought any more bottled water I know feel a pitcher with tap water. The bottle water companies use great advertisement to make us the consumers think that there product is the better one.

Variables and Future Experiments
I do not think that there were any possible factors that affected my results in doing this experiment.

Conclusions-
Before I even conducted the experiment I had my hypotheses, I just knew that the expensive bottled water would be the one with the one with none or at least the one with the least contaminants. When doing this experiment I soon begin to realize that I was wrong. The results proved that the tap water was the better water with the least contaminants. I think that the bottled water is defiantly not worth the price or the hype. I really enjoyed the experiment; it gave me a chance and a way to save some money.

References

Diduch, M., Polkowska, Ż., & Namieśnik, J. (2013). Factors affecting the quality of bottled water. Journal Of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 23(2), 111-119. doi:10.1038/jes.2012.101

Tomperi, J., Juuso, E., Eteläniemi, M., & Leiviskä, K. (2014). Drinking water quality monitoring using trend analysis. Journal Of Water & Health, 12(2), 230-241. doi:10.2166/wh.2013.075

Bottcher, A., & Rex, A. (2012). Environmental science student manual. Sheridan, CO: eScience Labs

Turk, J., & Bensel, T. (2014). Contemporary environmental issues (2nd ed.).
San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014)