In order to know what good water quality is, we first need to understand what the quality of water is. Having good water is crucial to human health, ecosystems and even the overall well-being of communities.
Water quality is referring to the condition and characteristics of water that determine its suitability for uses and the health of ecosystems. It includes the chemical, physical, and biological properties of water, the contaminants and pollutants.
Natural elements such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and like can influence the standards of water.
Did you know there is a standard for the conditions of water? Well, there is and our friends over at the Environment Protection Agency, EPA, is helping set the standards based on all the scientific research they have done.
The Freshwater Quality Index (WQI) is the tool to evaluate the quality of water in streams and rivers. It summarizes the amounts of water quality data into a single score, the higher the score, the cleaner the water. Water quality is ranked 1 to 100.
The WQI is based on criteria and guidelines for the properties of the water being tested; such as the amount of sediment, nutrients, temperature, contaminants and the amount of dissolved oxygen within the water.
Because Kansas City and the various suburbs follow the guidelines set out by the EPA, we rarely get asked about the conditions of water in our homes. The question we get asked the most is, “Do I have hard water?” because hard water, while still quality water, can be damaging to your pipes over time.
If you have questions or concerns about your water, call Connelly Plumbing Solutions are locally owned and operated right here in Kansas City. We will provide you with the information you need to make the proper decision about your appliance.
At CPS, we strive to help customers understand what is going on with their plumbing system and to give them the pros and cons of every option so that they can make the most educated decision.