Testing Methods for Water Quality Analysis

Color

Visual Comparison Method (Platinum Cobalt Scale)

Temperature

Mercury-filled Thermometer

pH

Glass Electrode

BOD5

Azide Modification (Dilution Technique)

Dissolved Oxygen

Azide Modification (Winkler Method) or Membrane Electrode (DO Meter)

Settleable Solids

Imhoff Cone Method

Total Suspended Solids

Gravimetric Method

Surfactants

Methylene Blue Method (Colorimetric)

Oil and Grease

Gravimetric Method (Petroleum Ether Extraction)

Phenolic Substances

Chloroform Extraction Method

Total Coliforms

Multiple-tube Fermentation Technique or Membrane Filter

Fecal Coliforms

Multiple-tube Fermentation Technique or Membrane Filter

Arsenic

Silver Diethyldithiocarbamate Method (Colorimetric)

Cadmium

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (Wet ashing w/ concentration HNO3 + HCl)

Chromium

Diphenyl Carbazide Colorimetric Method

Cyanide

Specific ion Electrode Method

Lead

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Mercury Total

Cold Vapor Technique (Mercury analyzer, AAS)

PCB

Gas Chromatography (ECD)

Boron

Carmine Method

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons

Gas Chromatography (ECD)

Organo Phosphorus Compounds

Gas Chromatography (FPD)

Nitrate as Nitrogen

Bruccine Method for Saline Waters, Specific Ion Electrode Method for Fresh Water

Phosphate as Phosphorus

Stannous Chloride Method