Here are some common definitions of tests that are performed on waste water treatment units.
- pH - This is the measure of the water's acidity once it leaves the plant. Ideally, the water's pH would match the pH of the river or lake that receives the plant's output.
- BOD (biological oxygen demand) - BOD is a measure of how much oxygen in the water will be required to finish digesting the organic material left in the effluent. Ideally, the BOD would be zero.
- Dissolved oxygen - This is the amount of oxygen in the water as it leaves the plant. If the water contains no oxygen, it will kill any aquatic life that comes into contact with it. Dissolved oxygen should be as high as possible and needs to cover the BOD.
- Suspended solids - This is the measure of the solids remaining in the water after treatment. Ideally, suspended solids would be zero.
- Total phosphorous and nitrogen - This is the measure of the nutrients remaining in the water.
- Chlorine - The chlorine used to kill harmful bacteria needs to be removed so it does not kill beneficial bacteria in the environment. Ideally, chlorine should not be detectable.
- Coliform bacteria count - This is the measure of fecal bacteria remaining in the water. Ideally, this number would be zero. Note that water in the environment is not totally free of fecal bacteria -- birds and other wildlife do introduce some.
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