RHELGAN · SOURCE WATER REVIEW
Test the source before selecting the treatment.
A useful water-treatment brief begins with the actual source, how that source changes, the intended water use and representative test information. The objective is to avoid selecting equipment first and trying to make the source fit it later.
Source review
Different sources need different questions.
The testing scope should be agreed with the responsible water-quality professionals for the destination and intended use. The table below is a project-brief framework, not a universal laboratory test schedule.
| Source | What to understand | Testing / evidence direction |
|---|---|---|
| Rainwater | Roof / catchment condition, debris, first flush, storage hygiene, seasonal rainfall, contamination routes | Representative stored-water quality where potable use is proposed, plus project-specific microbiological / chemistry review |
| Bore / groundwater | Bore yield, static and dynamic levels, geology, nearby contamination risks, seasonal behaviour | Representative laboratory analysis including parameters relevant to microbiology, salinity, hardness, iron / manganese and local source risks |
| Surface water | Seasonality, turbidity events, upstream activity, algae / organics, flood contamination, intake condition | Sampling that reflects changing source conditions rather than one ideal-weather sample |
| Municipal supply | Reliability, pressure, storage turnover, residual disinfectant, intermittent supply risk | Existing utility data plus project checks where storage or local distribution can change water quality |
| Delivered / tanker water | Supplier source, delivery frequency, tanker hygiene, transfer hoses, receiving and storage | Verification appropriate to the source and operating model, with controlled transfer and storage procedures |
| Brackish / seawater | Salinity, temperature, intake quality, suspended solids, scaling / fouling risk, reject route | Analysis detailed enough to establish pretreatment and membrane / desalination design basis |
Water-quality chain
Keep the source, treatment and verification connected.
01 · Define intended use
Drinking, domestic, healthcare, WASH, process, irrigation, fire or mixed use determines the required review.
02 · Identify the real source
Do not treat 'bore' or 'surface water' as a complete water-quality description.
03 · Build the sampling plan
Select sampling points, timing and repeat sampling to reflect the source and seasonal risk.
04 · Use a competent laboratory
The project team should use testing appropriate to the destination and required water-quality decision.
05 · Review the complete report
Treatment should respond to the measured source-water condition rather than a preselected technology.
06 · Confirm finished-water target
Set the water-quality requirement and intended use before performance is specified.
07 · Recheck after commissioning
Verify the operating system at the appropriate project sampling points.
08 · Maintain ongoing monitoring
Assign ownership for routine water-quality checks, records and response to abnormal results.
Useful project files
Attach the information that changes treatment decisions.
Laboratory report
Use the complete report with sample identity, date, source and units rather than copying isolated numbers into an email.
Source / bore information
Yield test, water levels, intake details, source photos, seasonal notes and any existing treatment can materially change the design basis.
Finished-water requirement
Identify intended use and the applicable destination / project requirement so treatment performance has a defined target.
RHELGAN · SOURCE-LED TREATMENT SELECTION