Pollution sources
What is it? There may be sources of pollution in the surrounding area that will impact water quality readings.
Why is it important? Residential, industrial, and urban/road discharge can run off into nearby waterways and have huge impacts on water quality. Road salts and treated water (containing chlorine) can negatively affect aquatic ecosystems.
What does it mean?
- Residential discharge – homes nearby where treated water from watering gardens and washing cars can runoff into nearby waterways
- Urban/road discharge – there’s a road nearby that is salted during winter months, indicative of higher conductivity readings from chloride levels
- Industrial discharge – a factory nearby that may be negatively impacting water quality readings