In the world of water treatment, turbidity raises questions such as “what is turbidity?”, “how to measure turbidity,” and “why is it important in drinking water?” Although many parameters influence water quality, turbidity is one of the clearest and fastest indicators of contamination, and a true early warning sign for any industrial, municipal, or commercial process.
What is turbidity and why does it increase?
Turbidity is the measure of suspended particles in water, such as clays, sediments, organic matter, microorganisms, and colloids. It is measured in NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units), one of the most popular searches when discussing water quality control.
An increase in turbidity usually indicates:
Changes in the water source, such as heavy rainfall or runoff.
Failures in pretreatment, especially in filtration or flocculation.
Presence of microorganisms, including bacteria and protozoa.
Accidental contamination, due to broken lines or the entry of solids.
Therefore, when turbidity rises, it is a clear sign that something is not working properly.
Turbidity as a critical parameter in industrial processes
In applications such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, boilers, and cooling towers, turbidity not only affects water quality but also equipment performance.
High turbidity increases cleaning frequency, reduces flow, and shortens the service life of membranes.
How to control turbidity efficiently
The most sought-after strategies include:
Multimedia filtration (sand, anthracite, and gravel).
Coagulation and flocculation systems to remove colloids.
Ultrafiltration, the most effective technology when turbidity <1 NTU is required.
Continuous monitoring, another key term in search trends, as it allows real-time detection of variations.
Conclusion
Turbidity is much more than a number: it is a critical indicator and an immediate alarm for the condition of the water. Keeping it under control not only protects equipment, but also human health. In any process, if turbidity rises, it is time to act.
American Water Solutions, LLC., is a family business based in Texas. We manufacture reverse osmosis water treatment systems for every application from domestic to industrial.
