Temperature

The temperature of a water supply will influence the following:

• How it tastes
• How easily it dissolves impurities
• How effective it is for other uses such as cooling

Generally, surface water sources are warmer than groundwater sources.

Turbidity

Turbidity is the cloudiness caused by suspended material. Suspended material can include the following:

• Natural organic material, which may be more of an aesthetic concern
• Algae
• Bacteria
• Other microorganisms that can cause serious health problems

Usually, the turbidity of groundwater is near zero due to the filtering characteristics of the soil it has passed through.

Color

Although color in raw water can be present in groundwater due to certain minerals, it is primarily a concern for surface water sources. This is due to the decomposition of organic material.

Taste and/or odor

Taste or odor in water can be due to factors such as:

• Chemicals
• Minerals
• Decaying organic matter
• Dissolved gases

The most common causes of odor in drinking water are the presence of hydrogen sulfide, iron, or sulfur-reducing bacteria.

In a distribution system, the corrosion of pipe materials can also influence taste and odor.

Even though taste and odor are considered more of an aesthetic concern, they can also indicate the presence of contaminants that are harmful to a person's health.