Best Practices for Measuring the Color of Water

High-quality water is essential for health and safety, but it can be challenging to determine its quality. Many of the particles in water are microscopic and should be removed for health compliance and hygiene reasons, such as nitrates and arsenic. Customers rightly equate water clarity with water quality, preferring clear, pure water.

Some people would rather have minerals in their water to prevent it from tasting flat, so you may have to add these in if they aren't already present. When you're measuring water color, striking that balance between turbidity and quality is critical.

Determine the Turbidity in Water

Turbidity is an umbrella term for a lack of transparency in water. When water appears unclear, tiny particles are present — these particles reflect light to your eye or elsewhere, reducing clarity. The less turbidity in water, the more light can penetrate it, giving it a clear appearance. It's important to note that some turbidity occurs naturally, and some minerals can be beneficial for taste. To maintain color consistency, you should measure the color of water throughout the production process.

Ensure Your Water Meets Industry Color Standards

Some of the different organizations regulating the color of water include the American Public Health Association (APHA), which created the APHA (or Hazen) Color Scale, and the American Dye Manufacturer's Institute (ADMI). The Gardner Color scale works in conjunction with their regulations, as it also measures the color of water.

The APHA Scale measures the yellowness in water, and the ADMI measures clear liquids of any color. The Gardner Scale can measure water that's much more murky in appearance. Your water should have a zero score to be appealing to customers.

Understand the Difference Between True Color and Apparent Color

You want to measure the true color of water, not the apparent color. Before testing for true color, remove the particles that cause turbidity in the water. The particles that cause cloudiness present the apparent color. Once you've removed the suspended materials, you can move on to testing for the water's actual color. This distinction is crucial, as you can save time and money by measuring the water's color in its purer form.

Partner With HunterLab for Trusted Water Color Measurement Solutions

With over 70 years of experience providing color measurement solutions, we at HunterLab have a range of spectrophotometers to meet your lab's needs. Partner with us for accurate and speedy water color measurements every time. Our easy-to-use, compact spectrophotometers quantify color measurements objectively, allowing you to assess your results for better production processes. Contact us today by calling or requesting a quote online, and one of our experts will follow up with you promptly.