8. W.Q.I.
• The Water Quality Index was developed by the
National Sanitation Foundation as a standard
system to compare different bodies of water.
• To determine the WQI, a series of nine tests
were performed. These tests were: dissolved
oxygen, fecal coliform, pH, Biological Oxygen
Demand (BOD), temperature, total phosphate,
nitrates, turbidity, and total solids. We also did a
water discharge test which we use to measure
the flow of the creek in cubic feet per second.
8
9. • After the tests are completed, the WQI for each
section of the creek can be computed.
• To formulate the WQI, we first computed Q-
values.
• We multiply this number by a weighting factor,
which provides a measure of the relative
importance of each test to overall water quality.
• The water quality index ranges from zero to 100.
- 0 - 25 is very bad
- 25 - 50 is bad
- 50 - 70 is medium
- 70 - 90 is good
- 90 - 100 is excellent
• The bio-indicator tests weren’t part of W.Q.I., but
9
did give us a water quality rating.
11. Sample W.Q.I. Form
Weighting T o t a l
Test Results Q-value Factor
DO % sat. 0.17
Fecal Coliform col/100 mL 0.16
pH units 0.11
BOD mg/L 0.11
Temperature change in C 0.1
Total Phosphate mg/L 0.1
Nitrates mg/L 0.1
Turbidity JTU 0.08
Total Solids mg/L 0.07
Overall Water Quality Index ___
11
12. Test Natural Readings Cautionary
Readings
Dissolved Oxygen % 90% or higher Below 90% unless the
waters are
Saturation supersaturated due to
cultural eutrophication.
pH 6.5-8.5 Below 6.5
Above 8.5
Nitrates 0.0-1.0 ppm Consistent readings
above 3.5 ppm
Change in The higher the change,
the worse the water
Temperature
quality.
Turbidity 0-8 JTU’s Increasing trends in
turbidity measurements.
12
13. Test Natural Readings Cautionary
Readings
5 Day B.O.D The higher the difference
between the original and
the 5 day reading, the
worse the water.
Phosphates Less than 1 mg/L More than 1 mg/L
Total Solids The higher the
concentration, the
worse the water.
Fecal Coliform Over 200 colonies/100
mL of water
13
14. pH Change in Total Fecal Discharge
Water Solids Coliform (cubic
Temp. (mg/L) (Col./100 ft./sec.)
(Degrees mL)
Celsius)
May 31 Site 1 8.0 0.6 540 900 2.503
Site 2 7.8 -0.1 530 300 1.115
Site 3 8.0 0.2 470 800 7.93
Site 4 8.0 -0.1 450 1100 6.306
Site 5 8.4 0.4 530 400 28.756
June
13 & Site 1 7.8 0.7 570 2750 4.839
14
Site 2 7.1 0.5 430 450 2.243
Site 3 7.9 -0.2 570 2100 7.455
Site 4 7.7 0.0 550 1400 11.547
14
Site 5 7.8 0.1 1020 3950 41.139
15. Turbidit Dissolved Dissolved 5 Day Nitrates Phosphate
y (JTU’s) Oxygen (% Oxygen B.O.D. s
(ppm)
Saturation) (ppm) (ppm)
Site
May 31 20 65% 6.6 4.8 19.976 0.22
1
Site
30 41% 4.1 5.1 13.068 1.58
2
Site
30 79% 7.8 3.1 13.376 0.30
3
Site
20 74% 7.3 1.7 14.08 1.92
4
Site
40 79% 7.9 5.6 17.336 0.62
5
June 13 Site
35 57% 5.7 0.8 19.976 0.85
& 14 1
Site
50 46% 4.4 0 12.892 0.65
2
Site
90 47% 4.4 0 8.492 0.70
3
Site
85 51% 4.9 0.7 15 9.218 0.52
4
16. pH Change in Total Fecal Discharge
Water Solids Coliform cubic
Temp. mg/L Col./100 ft./sec.
Degrees mL
Celsius
July 14
Site 1 7.8 1.3 580 350 2.75
& 15
Site 2 7.7 1.5 560 50 1.187
Site 3 8.0 -0.1 560 400 5.568
Site 4 7.9 0 600 350 6.65
Site 5 8.1 1.2 870 600 12.028
August 5 Site 1 7.8 0 510 250 0.62
Site 2 7.8 -1.3 550 50 0.36
Site 3 7.1 0.6 250 100 2.66
Site 4 8.2 0.6 300 350 1.1
16
Site 5 8.2 1.7 280 450 10.2
17. Turbidity Dissolved Dissolved 5 Day Nitrates Phosphates
JTU’s Oxygen % Oxygen B.O.D. (mg/L)
(ppm)
Saturation ppm
July
14 & Site 1 10 75% 6.5 5.1 9.096 0.65
15
Site 2 5 33% 2.9 0.6 10.208 0.41
Site 3 15 45% 3.7 1.7 7.788 0.26
Site 4 135 38% 3.1 0 3.564 1.17
Site 5 150 46% 3.8 4.5 4.84 0.23
August
Site 1 10 85% 7.7 4.3 13.068 0.29
5
Site 2 5 57% 5.3 0.6 2.28 0
Site 3 20 60% 5.2 4.3 0 0.06
Site 4 20 55% 4.8 3.4 0.088 0.16
17
Site 5 30 38% 3.3 2.8 10.208 0.3
18. May 31 Site 1
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 62 0.17 10.54
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 23 0.16 3.68
pH Units 82 0.11 9.02
B.O.D. Mg/L 56 0.11 6.16
Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3
Phosphates Mg/L 92 0.10 9.2
Nitrates Mg/L 38 0.10 3.8
Turbidity JTU 61 0.08 4.88
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 57.98 18
(medium)
19. May 31 Site 2
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 31 0.17 5.27
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 33 0.16 5.28
pH Units 86 0.11 9.46
B.O.D. Mg/L 54 0.11 5.94
Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2
Phosphates Mg/L 31 0.10 3.1
Nitrates Mg/L 47 0.10 4.7
Turbidity JTU 52 0.08 4.16
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 48.51 (bad)
19
20. May 31 Site 3
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 86 0.17 14.62
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 24 0.16 3.84
pH Units 82 0.11 9.02
B.O.D. Mg/L 65 0.11 7.15
Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3
Phosphates Mg/L 89 0.10 8.9
Nitrates Mg/L 45 0.10 4.5
Turbidity JTU 52 0.08 4.16
Total Solids Mg/L 37 0.07 2.59
Overall Water Quality Index 64.08 (medium)
20
21. May 31 Site 4
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 82 0.17 13.94
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 22 0.16 3.52
pH Units 82 0.11 9.02
B.O.D. Mg/L 88 0.11 9.68
Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2
Phosphates Mg/L 27 0.10 2.7
Nitrates Mg/L 43 0.10 4.3
Turbidity JTU 61 0.08 4.88
Total Solids Mg/L 40 0.07 2.8
Overall Water Quality Index 60.0421
(medium)
22. May 31 Site 5
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 86 0.17 14.62
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32
pH Units 65 0.11 7.15
B.O.D. Mg/L 50 0.11 5.5
Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3
Phosphates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1
Nitrates Mg/L 40 0.10 4
Turbidity JTU 45 0.08 3.6
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 54.99 (medium)
22
23. June 13 & 14 Site 1
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 54 0.17 9.18
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 16 0.16 2.56
pH Units 90 0.11 9.9
B.O.D. Mg/L 96 0.11 10.56
Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1
Phosphates Mg/L 43 0.10 4.3
Nitrates Mg/L 38 0.10 3.8
Turbidity JTU 49 0.08 3.92
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
23
Overall Water Quality Index 54.72 (medium)
24. June 13 & 14 Site 2
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 36 0.17 6.12
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32
pH Units 90 0.11 9.9
B.O.D. Mg/L 97 0.11 10.67
Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2
Phosphates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1
Nitrates Mg/L 48 0.10 4.8
Turbidity JTU 39 0.08 3.12
Total Solids Mg/L 42 0.07 2.94
Overall Water Quality Index 56.1724
(medium)
25. June 13 & 14 Site 3
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 37 0.17 6.29
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 18 0.16 2.88
pH Units 84 0.11 9.24
B.O.D. Mg/L 97 0.11 10.67
Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2
Phosphates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1
Nitrates Mg/L 54 0.10 5.4
Turbidity JTU 21 0.08 1.68
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 51.8625
(medium)
26. June 13 & 14 Site 4
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 45 0.17 7.65
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 20 0.16 3.2
pH Units 91 0.11 10.01
B.O.D. Mg/L 96 0.11 10.56
Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3
Phosphates Mg/L 60 0.10 6.0
Nitrates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1
Turbidity JTU 23 0.08 1.84
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 55.06 (medium)
26
27. June 13 & 14 Site 5
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 14 0.17 2.38
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 14 0.16 2.24
pH Units 90 0.11 9.9
B.O.D. Mg/L 97 0.11 10.67
Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2
Phosphates Mg/L 40 0.10 4.0
Nitrates Mg/L 61 0.10 6.1
Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 0.4
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 46.29 (bad)
27
28. July 14 & 15 Site 1
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 84 0.17 14.28
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 35 0.16 5.6
pH Units 90 0.11 9.9
B.O.D. Mg/L 52 0.11 5.72
Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0
Phosphates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1
Nitrates Mg/L 52 0.10 5.2
Turbidity JTU 77 0.08 6.16
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 62.36 (medium)
28
29. July 14 & 15 Site 2
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 21 0.17 3.57
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 53 0.16 8.48
pH Units 90 0.11 9.9
B.O.D. Mg/L 95 0.11 10.45
Temp. Change in o C 89 0.10 8.9
Phosphates Mg/L 62 0.10 6.2
Nitrates Mg/L 50 0.10 5.0
Turbidity JTU 85 0.08 6.8
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 60.70(medium)
29
30. July 14 & 15 Site 3
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 32 0.17 5.44
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 28 0.16 4.48
pH Units 82 0.11 9.02
B.O.D. Mg/L 91 0.11 10.01
Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1
Phosphates Mg/L 82 0.10 8.2
Nitrates Mg/L 53 0.10 5.3
Turbidity JTU 66 0.08 5.28
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 58.23 (medium)
30
31. July 14 & 15 Site 4
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 29 0.17 4.93
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 35 0.16 5.6
pH Units 85 0.11 9.35
B.O.D. Mg/L 98 0.11 10.78
Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2
Phosphates Mg/L 37 0.10 3.7
Nitrates Mg/L 93 0.10 9.3
Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 0.4
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 54.66 (medium)
31
32. July 14 & 15 Site 5
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 33 0.17 5.61
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32
pH Units 80 0.11 8.8
B.O.D. Mg/L 58 0.11 6.38
Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1
Phosphates Mg/L 84 0.10 8.4
Nitrates Mg/L 90 0.10 9.0
Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 0.4
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 53.41(medium)
32
33. August 5 Site 1
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 90 0.17 15.30
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 30 0.16 4.8
pH Units 90 0.11 9.9
B.O.D. Mg/L 59 0.11 6.49
Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3
Phosphates Mg/L 90 0.10 9.0
Nitrates Mg/L 46 0.10 4.6
Turbidity JTU 76 0.08 6.08
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
33
Overall Water Quality Index 66.87 (meduim)
34. August 5 Site 2
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 52 0.17 8.84
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 53 0.16 8.48
pH Units 90 0.11 9.9
B.O.D. Mg/L 93 0.11 10.23
Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0
Phosphates Mg/L 100 0.10 10.0
Nitrates Mg/L 97 0.10 9.7
Turbidity JTU 85 0.08 6.8
Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
34
Overall Water Quality Index 74.35 (good)
35. August 5 Site 3
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 58 0.17 9.86
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 44 0.16 7.04
pH Units 90 0.11 9.9
B.O.D. Mg/L 59 0.11 6.49
Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1
Phosphates Mg/L 97 0.10 9.7
Nitrates Mg/L 98 0.10 9.8
Turbidity JTU 62 0.08 4.96
Total Solids Mg/L 66 0.07 4.62
35
Overall Water Quality Index 71.47 (good)
36. August 5 Site 4
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 50 0.17 8.5
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 29 0.16 4.64
pH Units 77 0.11 8.47
B.O.D. Mg/L 65 0.11 7.15
Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1
Phosphates Mg/L 94 0.10 9.4
Nitrates Mg/L 98 0.10 9.8
Turbidity JTU 62 0.08 4.96
Total Solids Mg/L 59 0.07 4.13
36
Overall Water Quality Index 66.15
37. August 5 Site 5
Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 27 0.17 4.59
Fecal
Coliform
Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32
pH Units 77 0.11 8.47
B.O.D. Mg/L 68 0.11 7.48
Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0
Phosphates Mg/L 85 0.10 8.5
Nitrates Mg/L 50 0.10 5.0
Turbidity JTU 53 0.08 4.24
Total Solids Mg/L 62 0.07 4.34
Overall Water Quality Index 55.94 (medium)
37
38. 2005 Precipitation
7
6
5
Inches
4
3
2
1
0
May June July August
Rainfall
38
39. pH
8.5
8
pH Level
7.5 Site 1
7 Site 2
6.5 Site 3
Site 4
6
Site 5
May 31 June July 14 Aug 5
13 & 14 & 15
Date
39
40. Change in Temperature
2
1.5
Change (in degrees celsius)
1
Site 1
0.5 Site 2
Site 3
0 Site 4
Site 5
-0.5
-1
-1.5
May 31 June 13 July 14 August
& 14 Date & 15 5
40
41. Total Solids
1200
1000
800
Site 1
mg/L
600
400 Site 2
200
Site 3
0
May 31 June July 14 Aug 5 Site 4
13 & & 15 Site 5
14
Dates
41
42. Fecal Coliform
5000
Colonies / 100 mL
4000
3000
Site 1
2000
Site 2
1000
Site 3
0
Site 4
May June July Aug 5
31 13 & 14 & Site 5
14 15
Dates
42
44. Flow
50
Site 1
Cubic Feet / Second
40
Site 2
30
Site 3
20
Site 4
10
Site 5
0
May 31 June 13 July 14 Aug 5
& 14 & 15
Dates
44
45. Turbidity
250
200
150 Site 1
JTU's
100 Site 2
50 Site 3
0 Site 4
May 31 June 13 July 14 & Aug 5 Site 5
& 14 15
Dates
45
46. Dissolved Oxygen
10
8
6 Site 1
ppm
4 Site 2
2 Site 3
0
Site 4
May 31 June 13 July 14 & Aug 5
Site 5
& 14 15
Date
46
47. Dissolved Oxygen
100
Percent Saturation
80
60 Site 1
40 Site 2
20 Site 3
0 Site 4
May 31 June July 14 Aug 5
Site 5
13&14 & 15
Dates
47
48. 5 Day Biological Oxygen Demand
6
5
4
ppm
3 Site 1
2
1 Site 2
0 Site 3
May 31 June July 14 Aug 5 Site 4
13 & & 15
14 Site 5
Date
48
49. Nitrates
25
20
15 Site 1
ppm
10 Site 2
5 Site 3
0 Site 4
May 31 June 13 & July 14 & Aug 5 Site 5
14 15
Date
49
50. Phosphates
2.5
2
1.5 Site 1
ppm
1 Site 2
0.5 Site 3
0 Site 4
May 31 June 13 July 14 Aug 5
& 14 & 15 Site 5
Date
50
51. Chemical Test Conclusion
• All W.Q.I. numbers were within the medium range,
except:
- August 5-Sites 2 and 3 (Good)
- May 31- Site 2 (Bad)
- June 13 and 14-Site 5 (Bad)
• Best overall date: August 5
• Best overall site: Site 3
• Consistent pH readings
• Dissolved oxygen was consistently low over the summer
• Turbidity decreased over the summer
• Very high nitrate readings, but did decrease over the
summer
• High precipitation amounts in June affected testing
because of increase in runoff 51
52. WQI Averages by Site
Site 1 60.48
Site 2 59.93
Site 3 61.41
Site 4 58.98
Site 5 52.66
WQI Averages by Date
May 31 57.12
June 13 & 14 52.82
July 14 & 15 57.87
August 5 66.96 52
53. WQI Averages by Site
70
60
50
40
2003 Averages
30 2004 Averages
2005 Averages
20
10
0
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5
Site
53
54. WQI Averages by Date
80
70
60
50
2003 Averages
40 2004 Averages
2005 Averages
30
20
10
0
May June July August
Month 54
55. 2003 to 2005 Chemical Test Average
Comparisons
12
10
8
6 2003 Averages
2004 Averages
4
2005 Averages
2
0
pH
.
ge
s
es
p.
.D
te
m
at
ar
.O
ita
Te
ph
ch
B
N
os
is
in
D
Ph
e
ng
ha
Chemical Test
C
55
56. 2003 to 2005 Chemical Test Average Comparisons
1200
1000
800
2003 Averages
600
2004 Averages
400 2005 Averages
200
0
D.O. % Sat. Turbidity Fecal Coliform Total Solids
56
Chemical Test
59. Bio-Indicator Comparison Chart
2002, 2004 and 2005
20
18
16
14
12
Summer 2002
10
Summer 2004
8
Summer 2005
6
4
2
0
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5
59
60. Bio-Indicator Ratings
20
si te 1
15 si te 2
si te 3
atings
10 si te 4
si te 5
R
5
0
M
ay Jn e
u Jl y
u Agu
u st
M th
on
60
61. Bio-Indicators Test Conclusions
• Diversity decreased over the summer
• Best overall date: May 31
• Best overall site: Site 3 (same as last year)
• Diversity slightly declined compared to last
year
• Bio-Indicator scale ranked the Shell Creek
slightly below the W.Q.I. rankings
– Bio-Indicators-poor to fair
– W.Q.I.-medium to good 61
76. HE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE TH
HE THE T
76
END END END END END END END END END END END END END END END
77. Thank You To:
• Lower Platte North Natural Resource
District
• PrairieLand RC&D
• Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Nebraska Department of Environmental
Quality
77
• Shell Creek Watershed Improvement
78. Website
• http://newman.esu8.org/project.html
OR
• http://newman.esu8.org/
• Click “Our Students”
• Click “Student Projects”
• Click “Watershed Project”
• You can see our data and further
information concerning this project,
including pictures. 78