BOTSWANA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
AND
NATURAL RESOURCES
NAMES: OLORATO CONNIE MOREBODI 201900111
OMOGOLO MASILOMANNGWE 201900132
COURSE: SANITATION AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
COURSE CODE: FSB 211
PRACTICAL 1: pH AND TEMPERATURE OF DIFFERENT WATER SAMPLES
INTRODUCTION
Power of hydrogen(pH) is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, and it is used to
quantify the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. This concept was introduced by Soren
Peder Lauritz Sorensen the Danish chemist in 1909 (Jones, 2020). His theory explained that pH
is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentrations, and this type of scale allows a wide
range of concentrations to be quantified in a numerical range. pH is measured using pH meters,
pH test kits and pH indicator papers. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, solutions with pH less
than 7 are considered acidic and those greater than 7 are alkaline or basic, with neutral at pH 7.
pH affects the ecosystem in terms of aquatic and terrestrial lives. Water quality depends on pH in
terms of how toxic and concentrated chemicals that are soluble in water. pH that favors
multiplication of algae in water bodies results in death of aquatic animals like fish which also
ends up contaminating water.
Poor water quality from contaminated water bodies has an adverse influence on both agricultural
and human health. Irrigation with acidic water causes corroded pipes and acidic soils, whereas
basic water causes scaled pipes due to increased water hardness. (Campbell, 2022)The influent
composition entirely determines the wastewater's pH parameter. Numerous chemicals and
substances found in sewage and industrial effluent have the potential to affect the entire supply.
Throughout the treatment process, it's critical to monitor and regulate the pH of the wastewater to
maximize coagulation and flocculation processes and guarantee that the finished product satisfies
discharge regulations. Coagulants and flocculants function in specific pH ranges,
microorganisms employed to break down organic compounds will perish if the pH is too high or
too low, and chlorine-based disinfectants are less effective in basic settings. Certain suspended
solids can only precipitate out at certain pH values (Pathirage & Lugg, 2021).
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance in a more
general way. In the context of wastewater, temperature refers to the degree of hotness or
coldness of the water. To measure the temperature of wastewater, various thermometers are used.
This includes traditional liquid-in-glass thermometers or digital thermometers used to directly
measure the temperature of wastewater in tanks or pipes. Temperature sensors can also be used
in wastewater treatment plants. Automated temperature sensors, such as thermocouples or
resistance temperature detectors are commonly used in wastewater treatment plants. These
sensors provide real-time temperature readings and can be integrated into control systems for
process monitoring and optimization (Ahsan, Rahman , & Katsumata, 2005). The right or
allowed temperature for wastewater varies according to various factors like the type of treatment
used for that plant. For example, for aerobic biological treatments like activated sludge systems,
the required temperature is 20- 35°C and for anaerobic digestion the temperature is a bit higher
and ranges from 35-55°C. This is to optimize methane activity.
When the temperatures are high but not exceeding the range at which microorganisms can
survive, metabolic activities done by microorganisms are sped up and the breaking down of
coagulates and flocculates is fast hence fast treatment (Zhou, Lin, Xu, & Yu, 2018). When
temperatures are extreme microorganisms get stressed and dies hence no or less water treatment.
Therefore, it is important for wastewater treatment plants to monitor and control the temperature
within the optimal range for their specific processes to ensure effective treatment and compliance
with regulatory standards.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is defined in biological treatment as the percentage amount of oxygen
dissolved in wastewater that can support life, including living bacteria. Living creatures require
oxygen as they oxidize waste to obtain energy for growth. As a result, secondary or biological
wastewater treatment requires oxygen. Dissolved oxygen levels are commonly measured in
milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm) using instruments such as dissolved
oxygen meters, probes, and sensors. Monitoring dissolved oxygen levels in both natural water
bodies and wastewater treatment processes is critical for assessing water quality, ecosystem
health, and treatment performance (Card, Fitch, Kelly, Kemker, & Rose, 2023).
AIM
To find the significance of pH and Temperature measurements in wastewater.
MATERIALS
pH meter
Water samples
Disposable cups
Aluminum foil
METHODOLOGY
Fifteen water samples were collected from different points in a wastewater treatment process.
The water samples were tested for pH and temperature. The electrode of the pH meter was
immersed in individual samples and the readings from the pH meter screen displaced both
temperature and pH. Readings were recorded when the screen decoded ready indicating that the
pH meter readings are stable. Throughout the process prior to immersing the probe in a sample,
the probe was rinsed with distilled water to avoid cross contamination in order to get an accurate
reading.
RESULTS
Table 1: the table shows pH and temperature of different water samples collected at different
wastewater treatment stages.
SAMPLE pH TEMPERATURE(°C)
A 8.51 26.4
1 B 11.67 26.7
C 8.18 26.6
A 11.67 26.8
2 B 8.01 26.0
C 8.53 26.9
A 8.02 26.5
3 B 8.50 26.2
C 11.34 26.5
A 7.57 26.5
4 B 7.95 26.6
C 11.30 26.5
5 A 11.38 26.7
B 7.51 26.7
C 7.91 26.1
Fig 1: a graph showing the relationship between pH and temperature of different water samples
collected at different wastewater treatment stages.
Trend: Temperature values are around 26°C with maximum temperature being 26.9°C and the
minimum temperature being 26.1°C. Ph values fluctuates being 7.91 and 11.67
DISCUSSION
According to Botswana Bureau of standards, acceptable drinking water specifications of BOBS
32.2015, pH should range between 5.5 to 9.5mg/L. With the samples used, most of them fall
under the BOBS requirement for drinking water in terms of their pH while samples 1B, 2A, 3C,
4C, and 5A registered pH values higher than 9.5mg/L making them unsafe for consumption. The
average pH of samples was ranging from 8.32mg/L to 9.05 mg/L which is within the acceptable
drinking water pH range. This indicates that the water samples given are suitable for drinking.
The European Community(EC)standards for surface water quality indicates that pH should range
from 6.5 to 8.5 mg/L and given the averages of our samples ranging from 8.32mg/L to
9.05mg/L, this water samples are accepted surface water which can be consumed( (Carney,
1991).
Table 2: temperature and pH mean values for different water samples.
Sample Mean pH Mean Temperature (°C)
A 9.05 26.56
B 8.32 26.42
C 9.05 26.52
In reference to (Etan, 2016) the range of temperature that supports optimal microbial activity is
known as mesophilic which ranges between 20-40°C, in this range microorganisms are most
active, ensuring efficient decomposition of organic substances in wastewater. Based on the
values collected from the experiment, the temperatures recorded allows for microbial activities
and multiplication of needed bacteria.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion both temperature and pH affect wastewater, higher pH prevents the growth and
survival of necessary microorganisms and poses a threat to human consumption. Temperature
also plays a vital role in the survival of microbes that are necessary for the decomposition of
organic substances.
RECOMMENDATIONS
pH and temperature should be regulated and monitored in wastewater treatment plants to create
an environment that allows microorganisms to strive and breakdown organic substances without
compromising their lives.
References
(n.d.).
Ahsan, S., Rahman , M. A., & Katsumata, H. (2005). Effects of temperature on
wastewater treatment with natural and waste materials. Clean
Technologies and Environmental Policy, 5.
Campbell, B. (2022). WHAT IS pH? WASTEWATER Digest, 23-24.
Card, A., Fitch, K., Kelly, D., Kemker, C., & Rose, K. (2023). Indicators;
dissolved oxygen. National Aquatic Resource Survey., 14.
Carney, M. (1991). European Drinking Water Standards. International Water
Isuues., 6.
Etan, J. (2016). Managing Wastewater Temperature in the Water Treatment
Process . WALCHEM, 55-55.
Jones, S. (2020). pH IN WASTEWATER. H20labcheck, 113-115.
Pathirage, U., & Lugg, G. (2021). EFFLUENT pH. Science Direct, 332-333.
Zhou, H., Lin, X., Xu, G., & Yu, H. (2018). Overview of strategies for enhanced
treatment of municipal/domestic wastewater at low temperature.
ScienceDirect, 7.
References
Ahsan, S., Rahman , M. A., & Katsumata, H. (2005). Effects of temperature on
wastewater treatment with natural and waste materials. Clean
Technologies and Environmental Policy, 5.
Campbell, B. (2022). WHAT IS pH? WASTEWATER Digest, 23-24.
Card, A., Fitch, K., Kelly, D., Kemker, C., & Rose, K. (2023). Indicators;
dissolved oxygen. National Aquatic Resource Survey., 14.
Carney, M. (1991). European Drinking Water Standards. International Water
Isuues., 6.
Etan, J. (2016). Managing Wastewater Temperature in the Water Treatment
Process . WALCHEM, 55-55.
Jones, S. (2020). pH IN WASTEWATER. H20labcheck, 113-115.
Pathirage, U., & Lugg, G. (2021). EFFLUENT pH. Science Direct, 332-333.
Zhou, H., Lin, X., Xu, G., & Yu, H. (2018). Overview of strategies for enhanced
treatment of municipal/domestic wastewater at low temperature.
ScienceDirect, 7.
