TABLE OF CONTENTS Water assumes different meaning and significance to different people. A particular definition depends, in large measure, on the personal uses to which water is put by the definer. Water may be considered an absolute necessity to sustain life and a necessary resource for all economic activity by some, and yet a refuge for biological pests and nuisances by others.
Pollution of water may be defined as a reduction in water quality by activities causing an actual hazard to public health or impairment of beneficial use of water.
The water environment is an intricate system of living and nonliving elements. Physical, chemical, and biological factors influencing water quality are so interrelated that a change in any water quality parameter triggers other changes in a complex network of interrelated variables. Often it is difficult to categorize the nature of these interrelationships that may result from human activity and influence on the entire water system.
To simplify analysis in the area of water, attributes of similar nature have been grouped together. This grouping was done with the following objectives. The list of selected attributes should be
As compact as possible
Equally applicable to surface and groundwater quality
Representative of comprehensive water quality indicators
Measurable in the field
Relevant to the spectrum of major activities
Capable of being measured on a project scale
Self-purification of natural waters. All natural waters have the capability to assimilate certain amounts and types of waste without apparent effect upon the environment. The process by which...
