What does NTU stand for in water quality measurement?

NTU stands for Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, which is a standard unit used to measure the turbidity of water. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by a large number of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye. In water quality measurements, understanding turbidity is crucial because it can indicate the presence of contaminants or pollutants that may pose health risks or affect water treatment processes.

The measurement is obtained by shining a light through a water sample and determining how much light is scattered by the particles in the water. Higher NTU values indicate higher levels of turbidity, which can be detrimental to water quality and aquatic life. This measurement is essential for water treatment facilities to ensure that they are providing safe, clean water to the community.