The problems in this report are aesthetic. Although they are not considered harmful to health, they do affect the look and taste of the water, and may cause it to be undrinkable by some people's standards. Addressing these water quality problems is therefore important. This report will discuss each of these problems in turn, EPA standards regarding aesthetic problems, and finally present treatment technologies to solve them. In order to treat these problems, we must first look at their source.
Water is known as the universal solvent .
Before it reaches a consumer's tap, it comes into contact with many different substances, such as gases, minerals, and organic matter. Water picks up traces of these substances, and unfortunately, some of them may cause taste, odor, color, or turbidity problems for the consumer. At one time or another, most consumers have encountered water that appears cloudy or foggy. These particles may be inorganic mineral matter which does not dissolve, or organic matter that has been picked up as the water flows over and through the ground. The particles cause the scattering and absorption of light rays, which gives the water a cloudy appearance.