There are over one hundred sites in BC measuring turbidity on a continuous basis. Turbidity in water is caused by suspended solids, finely divided organic matter, coloured organic compounds, plankton and other microorganisms. Turbidity is generally regarded as the fastest and most sensitive indicator of the effects of land use on aquatic systems. The presence of turbidity is a good indicator of the general quality of drinking water within a community watershed. Disease causing waterborne bacteria, viruses, and other organisms are often embedded in or attached to particles in the raw water.
Turbidity causes drinking water to be aesthetically objectionable.
Nephelometric Turbidity Sensors Nephelometric sensors typically have an emitter radiating infrared light into the ambient water. An embedded photo-receptor measures the light reflected back to the sensor from suspended particles in the water. This light measurement is converted to and expressed as Nephelometric Turbidity Units or NTU s .