Assesing Water Quality

There are a few steps one should follow in order to assess a body of water. The first is that you should evaluate by observation. See if there is an algae bloom that could indicate pollution, or a particular smell that could tell you what particular algae is growing in the water. Next, capture and identify algae. Certain algae will tell you what kind of condition the water is in. If it's an algae such as Anabaena, the water would be in poor quality. Next, test the pH, ammonia levels, temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, nitrate levels, and nitrite levels. Finally, run a panel of chemical tests. It's important to do the steps in this order because it can save you time as well as money. Organisms such as algae or the lack of algae could help you determine how bad/good the water just by observation instead of having to run chemical test which would be a waste of time and money.