| Abstract: | This paper describes the principles underlying water quality examination in a large modern water company, and compares these present-day techniques with the approach which was used 100 years ago. Although the analytical technology and regulatory framework for water testing has changed out of all recognition in this period, the author argues that many of the fundamental concepts remain the same. This illustrates the foresight of our predecessors. Nevertheless, despite, or perhaps because of, our modern analytical skills, public confidence in the high quality of current water supplies is being 'strained' by our ability to detect more and more minute trace contaminants in water. The challenge to water quality managers of today is to demonstrate to their customers that present approaches to water examination provide a very high degree of reassurance about water safety, not the converse. |
