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Specific conductance measures water’s ability to conduct electricity based on dissolved solid compounds. It can indicate water quality and pollution levels. Conductance is measured in Siemens, with pure water having a measurement of 1 μs/cm and seawater having a reading of approximately 50,000 μs/cm. High conductance can be natural or due to human pollution. Regulations for acceptable levels of compounds in water vary depending on its use. Purification is done by reverse osmosis and can be costly.
Specific conductance is the measure of water’s ability to conduct electricity. This conductivity is based on the amount of solid compounds that are dissolved in the water sample. The larger the dissolved solid, the higher the conductivity. The specific conductance can be used to measure water quality and indirectly test the level of pollution present in the water.
Conductance occurs because more ions are mobile and present in a solution than in a pure substance. Pure water contains H2O molecules, which are neutral. Salt water, on the other hand, contains molecules of H2O and ions, positively or negatively charged atoms, of chlorine (Cl-) and sodium (Na+) from the dissolved salt. Because they have a charge, they can conduct electricity. The more ions present, the higher the conductivity.
This conductance is measured using a sensor that actually measures how well a substance does not conduct electricity or resist electric current. The unit used to measure specific conductance is Siemens, which indicates a measure of electrical conductance. Measurements are typically given in microsiemens per centimeter (μs/cm).
Distilled water, which is theoretically pure water, usually has a measurement of 1 μs/cm. Absolutely pure water should contain no dissolved compounds and therefore should have a zero measurement. It’s nearly impossible to create water free of even trace amounts of compounds, however, which is why the actual reading differs from the theoretical reading. In contrast, seawater, which contains high concentrations of dissolved salt, has a reading of approximately 50,000 μs/cm.
As with seawater, the specific conductance can be high for natural reasons. Some rocks can release ions when water flows over them, increasing the specific conductance of the water they come into contact with. Additionally, rainwater often has a higher conductivity than pure water because it collects dust and gas particles as it falls from the sky.
However, many causes of high specific conductance are due to human pollution. Runoff from farmland can contain pesticides or fertilizers used on crops, just like runoff from roads can contain automobile fluids and road salt used to de-icer roads in the winter. Abandoned mines also create high conductance because they can have acidic drainage that can contaminate nearby water supplies.
While there are no regulations for acceptable levels, there are regulations for acceptable levels of compounds found in water. These levels vary depending on whether the water is used for industrial, agricultural or domestic purposes. Purification of polluted water is usually done by reverse osmosis and can be expensive.
