Turbidity & Sedimentimentation

What is It?

-Turbidity is murky water created by stirring up sediment or having foreign particles suspended in the water.

Why is it in the environment?

-Sediments occur naturally in the water

-Soil runoff

How does it affect water quality?

-High turbidity reduces the amount of light penetrating the water, which reduces photosynthesis and the production of dissolved Oxygen.

-High turbidity also leads to an increase in water temperatures because the suspended particles absorb and trap heat.

-This, effect also reduces the concentration of dissolved Oxygen because warm water holds less oxygen.

How does it affect adults?

-Turbidity has no direct health effects.

How does it affect children?

-Turbidity has no direct health effects.

What are the EPA regulations?

-At no time can turbidity go above 5 nephelolometric turbidity units (NTU).

-Systems that filter must ensure that the turbidity go no higher than 1 NTU (0.5 NTU for conventional or direct filtration) in at least 95% of the daily samples in any month.

-As of January 1, 2002, turbidity may never exceed 1 NTU, and must not exceed 0.3 NTU in 95% of daily samples in any month.