ASTM D7315-17

5.1 Turbidity at the levels defined in the scope of this test method are often monitored to help control processes, monitor the health and biology of water environments and determine the impact of changes in response to environmental events (weather events, floods, etc.). Turbidity is often undesirable in drinking water, plant effluent waters, water for food and beverage processing, and for a large number of other water-dependent manufacturing processes. Removal is often accomplished by coagulation, sedimentation, and various levels of filtration. Measurement of turbidity provides an indicator of contamination, and is a vital measurement for monitoring the characteristics and or quality within the sample’s source or process.

5.2 This test method does overlap Test Method D6855 for the range of 1–5 TU. If the predominant measurement falls below 1.0 TU with occasional spikes above this value, Test Method D6855 may be more applicable. For measurements that are consistently above 1 TU, this test method is applicable.

5.3 This test method is suitable to turbidity such as that found in all waters that measure above 1 NTU. Examples include environmental waters (streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries), processes associated with water pollution control plants (wastewater treatment plants), and various industrial processes involving water with noticeable turbidity. For measurement of cleaner waters, refer to Test Method D6855.

5.4 The appropriate measurement range for a specific technology or instrument type that should be utilized is at or below 80 % of full-scale capability for the respective instrument or technology. Measurements above this level may not be dependable.

5.5 Technologies described in this standard may not measure all aspects (absorption and scatter) of a sample. Some of the properties of the water, the suspended material, or both may interfere with the certain measured property of the sample, such as the scattering of light that the particular instrument is measuring.

5.6 Several different technologies are available for use in the measurement of high-level turbidity. Some technologies may be better suited for specific types of samples, depending on the application and measurement criteria. Please refer to Table 1 and Appendix X1 which is a flow chart to help assist in selecting the best technology for the specific application.

5.7 When reporting the measured result, appropriate units should also be attached. The units are reflective of the technology used to generate the measurements. The intention is to provide traceability for the technology used to generate the measured result, and if necessary, provide more adequate comparison to historical data. Section 7 describes technology that each type of traceable reporting units is based.

5.8 This test method covers the measurement of samples collected from waters and analyzed using typical laboratory based or portable-based instruments.

1.1 This test method covers the static determination of turbidity in water. Static refers to a sample that is removed from its source and tested in an isolated instrument. (See Section 4.)

1.2 This test method is applicable to the measurement of turbidities greater than 1.0 turbidity unit (TU). The upper end of the measurement range was left undefined because different technologies described in this test method can cover very different ranges. The round robin study covered the range of 0–4000 turbidity units because instrument verification in this range can typically be covered by standards that can be consistently reproduced.

1.3 Many of the turbidity units and instrument designs covered in this test method are numerically equivalent in calibration when a common calibration standard is applied across those designs listed in Table 1. Measurement of a common calibration standard of a defined value will also produce equivalent results across these technologies.

1.4 This test method does not purport to cover all available technologies for high-level turbidity measurement.

1.5 This test method was tested on different natural waters and wastewater, and with standards that will serve as surrogates to samples. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.

1.6 Depending on the constituents within a high-level sample, the proposed sample preparation and measurement methods may or may not be applicable. Those samples with the highest particle densities typically prove to be the most difficult to measure. In these cases, and alternative measurement method such as the process monitoring method can be considered.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Refer to the MSDSs for all chemicals used in this procedure.

1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.