Electrical Conductivity In Water

PHYSICAL QUALITY: Electrical conductivity (EC) WHAT IS ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY ? Conductivity is a measurement of the ability of the water to conduct electricity. WHAT DOES ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY INDICATE ? The EC of distilled water is low as opposed to seawater, with a high EC. The EC (measured in mS/m) of water indicates whether the water is fresh or saline. Rainwater has an EC of less than 1 mS/m. EC indicates where the water originates from, e.g. if water travelled over granite, it has an EC of around 5 mS/m. Water that travelled over sedimentary rocks usually has a much higher EC, ranging from 30 to 170 mS/m. Climate can increase the EC, by concentrating the salts during droughts. Electrical conductivity is indicative of the total dissolved solids (TDS, measured in mg/l) in the water. One can determine the approximate TDS value of water by multiplying the EC with 6,5 i.e.: TDS = EC x 6,5 WHAT PROBLEMS CAN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY CAUSE? The following health problems can occur where the EC exceeds 370 mS/m: Disturbance of the salt and water balance in children. In the blood pressure of heart patients and renal patients. Laxative effects when sulphate concentrations are high. Aesthetic problems of water with an EC as high as 150 mS/m, are that it tastes salty and water with an EC higher than 300 mS/m, fail to quench your thirst. Sensitive groups are, children under the age of 1 year, patients on salt-restricted diets, such as hart and kidney patients and individuals with chronic diarrhoea. HOW CAN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY IN WATER BE TREATED? The water pH can be increased with the addition of alkaline reagents, such as lime, sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. The water pH can be decreased with the addition of acidic reagents, such as sulphuric or hydrochloric acid or it can be done by the addition of carbon dioxide, which forms carbonic acid when it reacts with water. Chemical adjustment of water pH, will increase the salinity of the water, thus care should be taken not to overdose the water with chemicals. blurtit.com