Florida Wastewater Practice Test

What does specific conductance measure?

1. Total concentration of the minerals dissolved in the sample

2. Amount of organic compounds in the sample

3. Presence of pathogens in the water

4. Level of water turbidity

The correct answer is: Total concentration of the minerals dissolved in the sample

Specific conductance measures the ability of water to conduct an electrical current, which is directly related to the concentration of ions in the water. Since most dissolved substances in water, especially minerals and salts, are ionic, specific conductance serves as an indicator of the total concentration of these dissolved minerals. High specific conductance values suggest a higher concentration of dissolved ions, indicating a potentially higher level of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the sample. In contrast, the other choices refer to different aspects of water quality. The amount of organic compounds pertains to a separate measurement related to organic pollution. The presence of pathogens involves microbiological testing, usually requiring specific methods like culture or molecular techniques. Finally, water turbidity measures the clarity of water and is linked to the presence of suspended particles, not the concentration of dissolved ions. Understanding these distinctions emphasizes how specific conductance is particularly focused on the ionic concentration in water samples.