Cap-Pele Watershed Group

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Provisional water classification

Water Quality

Water classification regulation

Water quality indicators

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Parameters

Water quality is determined according to physical, chemical and biological parameters. Presently 37 parameters are tested for and analysed from sampling sites in the watershed. Here is the list :

colour
total ammonia (mg/L)
nickel (µg/L)
nitrite (mg/L)
nitrate (mg/L)
total nitrogen (mg/L)
alkalinity (mg/L)
dissolved sodium (mg/L)
hardness (mg/L)
pH
NOx (mg/L)

antimony (µg/L)
aluminum (mg/L)
magnesium (mg/L)
total phosphorous (mg/L)
dissolved sulfate (mg/L)
dissolved chlorine (mg/L)
dissolved fluorine (mg/L)
dissolved potassium (mg/L)
dissolved calcium (mg/L)
manganese (mg/L)
iron (mg/L)

copper (mg/L)
zinc (mg/L)
cadmium (mg/L)
arsenic (µg/L)
lead (mg/L)
chrome (µg/L)
organic carbon (mg/L)
SS (mg/L)
TDS(mg/L)
turbidity (NTU)
conductivity (µSIE/cm)

E. coli (MPN/100mL)
Water temperature (oC)
Air temperature (oC)
Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)

In general, the main parameters used to determine water quality are :

	E.coli
	Dissolved Oxygen
	Nitrates
	Total Phosphorous
	pH Levels

Biological indicators such as benthic invertebrates can also help to evaluate water quality. Benthic invertebrates are living organisms living on stream beds (insect larvae, worms, etc?). The absence or presence of indicator groups and the quantity of represented groups (diversity) allow us to evaluate water quality as well as measure change on the aquatic life level.