pH is
generally understood in terms of acidity or basicity (to which people sometimes
get confused with sour or salty) but it is a chemical characteristic which is
affected by contents dissolved in the water and is determined by the
concentration of hydrogen ions in it. pH is exhibited as a value ranging
between zero to 14. Water pH is an important operational water quality
parameter. It fluctuates with differing environmental factors including gases,
chemicals and solids. The pH (acidity or basicity) of water effects its
composition. The safe pH range for drinking water spans between 6.5 to 8.5. The
WHO guidelines for drinking water quality do not propose health-based
guideline value for it. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India has
prescribed Designated Best Use Water Quality Criteria according to which
the pH for drinking water without conventional treatment but after disinfection
has been prescribed between 6.5 and 8.5, whereas after conventional treatment
and disinfection it can be between 6 to 9. For propagation of wildlife and
fisheries the water pH may range between 6.5 to 8.5.
             There
are different methods for estimation of the pH like test by pH strip or
titrimatric method or through electronic sensors etc.Â
