INTRODUCTION

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as Level 0) will not
be able to provide the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and
inculcate creativity and innovation. The traditional method is fully prescriptive where the three
elements namely problem, ways & means and answers are provided/fully given to the students.
However, it is still necessary to be implemented as part of the whole laboratory course activity
especially to first and second year students.

In this lab, students will be exposed on how to conduct experiment to determine pH,
Turbidity and conductivity on three different sources of water.

pH determines whether the water is alkaline or acidic. The strength is indicated by the
hydrogen ion concentration expressed as the pH value. pH is an important parameter as its
affects various processes during water treatment. The pH of water is important to aquatic.

Turbidity is a problem with surface water especially during rainfall events. Water
becomes turbid when substance like clay, silt and fine organics are suspended in water.
Turbidity measure water clarity, which allows sunlight to penetrate to a greater depth. The main
sources of turbidity are erosion, living organisms and those from human endeavors. Turbidity is
commonly measured in Neplelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), but may also be measured in
Jackson Turbidity Units (JTU).

Conductivity is a measurement of the ability of an aqueous solution to carry an electrical

current. An ion is an atom of an element that has gained or lost an electron which will create a
negative or positive state. Conductivity is a measurement used to determine a number of
applications related to water quality. One of them is to determine mineralization. This commonly
called total dissolved solids (TDS). TDS information is used to determine the overall ionic effect
in a water source.

OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the pH, Turbidity and Conductivity values for at least three (3) water samples of
different sources.

2. To compare the results obtained from the experiments with the standard from Department of
Environment (DOE) Malaysia.

APPARATUS

pH meter , turbidity meter / YSI PRO series meter, Beaker, sample cell, tissue and silicon oil.
PROCEDURE

(1.) pH and Conductivity Determination by using YSI PRO series meter

1. The water sample was prepared.

2. The beaker was cleaned properly.
3. The beaker was filled with 1000ml water sample.
4. The probe was stirred in the water sample in the beaker.
5. The reading of pH and conductivity on the meter was taken.
6. Step 3-5 was repeated 2 times more for same water sample.
7. Step 1-6 was repeated for another sample.

(2) Turbidity Determination by using turbidity meter.

1. The water sample was filled into the sample cell.

2. The sample cell was cleaned with tissue and silicon oil.
3. The sample cell was put into the meter.
4. The “READ” button was pushed and the reading of turbidity was read.
5. Step 2-3 was repeated 2 times more for same water sample.
6. Step 1-5 was repeated for another sample.

Result

Data

pH Value

Sample Result Average pH

1 2 3
River 6.04 6.02 5.91 5.99 Acid
Pond 6.76 6.80 6.76 6.76 Acid

Turbidity Value

Sample Result Average Turbidity

1 2 3
River 269 279 286 278 High
Pond 84.2 79.7 78.5 80.83 High

Conductivity Value

Sample Result Average Conductivity

1 2 3
River 0.096 0.096 0.097 0.096 Low
Pond 0.101 0.100 0.099 0.100 Low
Calculation

6.76+6.80+6.76
Pond water 𝒑𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒈 = = 6.76
3

6.04+6.02+5.91
River water 𝒑𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒈 = = 5.99
3

84.3+79.7+78.5
Pond water 𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒚𝒂𝒗𝒈 = = 80.83 (NTU)
3

269+279+286
River water 𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒚𝒂𝒗𝒈 = = 278 (NTU)
3

0.101+0.100+0.099
Pond water 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚𝒂𝒗𝒈 = = 0.100 ms/cm
3

0.096+0.096+0.097
River water 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚𝒂𝒗𝒈 = = 0.096 ms/cm
3
Graph

pH Value
7

6.8

p 6.6
H
6.4
V
a
6.2
l
u
e 6

5.8

5.6
River Pond
Type Of Water
 Turbidity Value
300
T
u
250
r
b
i 200
d
i 150
t
y 100

V
50
a
l
u 0
e River Pond
Type Of Water

Conductivity Value
0.101

0.1
C
o
n 0.099
d
V
u
a 0.098
c
l
t
u 0.097
i
e
v
i 0.096
t
y 0.095

0.094
River Pond
Type Of Water
DISCUSSION

The laboratory result was been compared to the National Water Quality Standards for
Malaysia. The aim is to get the better result for the quality of the water by comparing those
standards.

Based on experiment, the average of pH for river water is 5.99 and the pH for value for
pond water is 6.76. Both of the average result for pH value were are classify as Acid because
the value of pH is below than 7. Both average result are determined in class 3 and class 4
because the value of pH is between 5 until 9. This prove that the water practically no treatment
needed and also conservation for natural environment.

Based on observation, the average value for turbidity for pond water is 80.83 NTU and
for river water is 278 NTU. Both average values for turbidity for this water are very high. If water
has high turbidity, less light reaches the aquatic plants that need sunlight for photosynthesis for
example. This indicates that aquatic life in the water is very little because the water is not
suitable for them

Based on the result, the average in conductivity of pond water is 0.100 and the average
conductivity of river water is 0.096.Both of the average results are classified in class I and in
class II A based on NWQS standards. So, the amount dissolved salts and inorganic matter is
low.

The experiment was conducted with a least of parallax and systematic error to get a
better laboratory data.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the objective for this experiment had been achieve successfully which is to
determine the pH, turbidity and conductivity values for two water samples from river and pond.
Both of this water is acid which are the values between 5 to 7 ph. The value of pH is the most
important in determining the corrosive nature of water. So, based on the experiment, the result
for the water is acid and not suitable for organism.

The best way to treatment this water by doing neutralizing filters work. This is because this work
can treat the water from acidic to neutral. So, when the water has been treat the organism in the
water can life and still health.
Appendix

Example result Turbidity

Example result for pH value and Conductivity

REFERENCES

1. Lister,B.,“Water Quality Tests Summary,”

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/emergencies/fs2_33.pdf
2. Lentech,d “Water treatment,”
https://www.lenntech.com/turbidity.htm
3. B.m,Megha “Determination of Water Classification”
https://www.slideshare.net/meghabagri1/report-on-ph-and-conductivity-of-different-
samples