Turbidity, the measure of suspended particles in water, is a common sign of stormwater mismanagement. This can harm the surrounding environment and lead to erosion of the local infrastructure.
Active turbidity testing helps ensure that local water sources are unpolluted and that water filtration systems are doing their job.
While most people take the clarity of their drinking water and aquifers for granted, turbidity and proper stormwater management are especially critical in tropical states like Florida.
What is Water Turbidity?
In its broadest definition, turbidity refers to the clarity of the water. The cloudier or dirtier the water, the less sunlight that can penetrate the water and contribute to plant photosynthesis.
The fewer plants in the water, the less oxygen there is for fish and other aquatic lifeforms, resulting in the devastation of the local environment.
During rainstorms, water rushes into streams and rivers, causing particulates from the beds and sides to kick up and cloud the water. In addition, sediment from stormwater runoff, microorganism growth, and vegetation loss can all lead to excessive turbidity.
In construction zones that are flooded or contaminated, excessive turbidity can turn into a vicious cycle.
While turbidity or cloudy water may seem innocuous on its surface, stream erosion and vegetation loss can amplify the problem for surrounding ecosystems and lead to a devastating loss of aquatic life.
In addition, excessively turbid water may contain toxic microorganisms that can cause water-borne diseases and threaten the health of surrounding citizens if it enters a public drinking source.
To combat this problem, frequent turbidity tests and active stormwater management around work zones are critical to preserving Florida’s natural water sources.
The Importance of Water Turbidity in Florida
Consider that the state of Florida possesses over 7,800 natural lakes and over 50,000 square miles of river water.
These areas are subject to constant satellite and ground turbidity testing to prevent local water pollution. In addition, local coral reefs and aquatic ecosystems in the southeast require ongoing turbidity maintenance and care to ensure their continued survival.
Under the Clean Water Act, Florida is required to test its water quality standards across the state every three years. As part of this assessment, stormwater management and turbidity are central concerns for the abovementioned reasons.
To ensure the continued maintenance and proliferation of clean and clear water, turbidity maintenance at construction sites and vulnerable ecological zones is critical across the state of Florida.
Sources of Water Turbidity
While natural erosion and water-related events can contribute to turbidity, human-related activity is often one of the main culprits. The following are several common sources of turbidity that environmental agencies and consultants need to be aware of.
- Stormwater Runoff: Heavy rainfall can wash away loose soil and pollutants from urban and rural areas, significantly increasing turbidity levels in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
- Construction and Land Development: When vegetation is removed and soil is exposed, it is more susceptible to erosion, leading to a greater influx of sediments into nearby water sources.
- Agricultural Practices: Excess fertilizers and pesticides can contribute to nutrient pollution, fueling algal blooms that further degrade water quality and increase turbidity.
- Industrial Discharges: Factories and wastewater treatment plants that do not properly filter their effluent can release particles and pollutants into the water, exacerbating turbidity levels.
- Natural Events: Strong storms and hurricanes can disturb seabeds, rivers, and lakes, resuspending sediments and increasing turbidity. Additionally, algal blooms can create thick layers of organic material that make water appear cloudy and decrease its quality.
What’s the Difference Between Turbidity and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
One important distinction site managers need to make when filtering our cleaning up suspended particles within water is to decipher between turbidity and the amount of Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
The former measures the cloudiness or haziness of water based on how much light is scattered by suspended particles.
The latter quantifies the actual weight of suspended particles in water per unit volume (e.g., mg/L). While turbidity provides a quick and easy assessment of water clarity, TSS offers a more precise measurement of sediment content.
Generally, turbidity testing is recommended for ongoing water monitoring and maintenance. However, a TSS measure may be recommended for the start of projects or for more extreme cases of pollution.
How Turbidity Testing Works
Turbidity meters or nephelometers allow experts to measure the amount of light being reflected from a water source to measure its turbidity. These tests encompass cloud coverage, the current temperature, and other environmental markers to assess the turbidity accurately.
Best of all, nephelometers are not terribly expensive, and most environmental consultant companies provide their own to help you manage your active stormwater runoff.
By actively and frequently testing water turbidity, local agencies, and consultants can develop strategies to reduce turbidity and help promote clean water.
How to Reduce Turbidity in Water
Obviously, the best solution to reduce water turbidity is to prevent it before it happens. The two best ways to do this are through active stormwater management, including:
- Storing or slowing down stormwater runoff to allow sediment to settle
- Filtering suspended solids from the water column to reduce turbidity
With that being said, these two strategies should already be incorporated as part of ongoing BMPs and a SWPPP plan.
On the other hand, once turbidity has diminished a waterway, communities can actively reduce turbidity in three different ways:
- Dredging or removing sediment from the bottom of water sources
- Treating water with chemical flocculants
- Using reverse osmosis to filter and treat water to make it drinkable
Of these options, dredging is the most efficient and most expensive. On the other hand, flocculation can be suitable and is often used by water treatment facilities to filtrate water.
Finally, reverse osmosis provides a suitable option for residents with polluted groundwater or water wells who want drinking water.
Turbidity Testing Is an Active Part of Stormwater Management
The best offense is a good defense. By investing in ongoing turbidity testing at worksites and vulnerable ecological zones, businesses and communities can save themselves the headaches of trying to treat rather than prevent a possible pollution problem.
Equally as important, companies should invest in active stormwater management to prevent turbidity and avoid fines.
Considering how many Florida residents get their drinking water from fresh aquifers, we also recommend residents actively test and monitor water drinking sources for their health.
Businesses and construction managers in Florida should also incorporate ongoing turbidity testing as part of their stormwater management BMPs and as part of their SWPPP.
Fortunately, turbidity testing is cheap and accurate. By implementing it at vulnerable water sources and active construction zones, Florida residents and businesses can save themselves money and enjoy continually clean and clear drinking water.
FAQs
What is turbidity in water?
Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by suspended particles such as sediment, algae, and organic matter. High turbidity can indicate pollution and harm aquatic ecosystems.
Why is turbidity a concern in stormwater management?
High turbidity levels can degrade water quality, reduce sunlight penetration, harm aquatic life, and contribute to erosion and infrastructure damage.
What are the main causes of turbidity?
Turbidity can result from stormwater runoff, construction activities, agricultural practices, industrial discharges, and natural events like hurricanes and algal blooms.
How does turbidity affect drinking water?
Excess turbidity can carry harmful microorganisms and pollutants, potentially contaminating public water supplies and increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.