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a+..pplles nLLp:iiwww.agr.ic.gov.a...dex/100/16a04.htm1#top <br />~o <br />Sodium is a significant factor in assessing water for irrigation and plant watering. High sodium levels <br />affect soil structure and a plant's ability to take up water. <br />Potassium <br />'s <br />Potassium is usually only found in quantities of a few ppm in water. There is no recommended limit for <br />potassium but levels over 2,000 ppm may be harmful to human nervous systems. Alberta water supplies <br />rarely contain more than 20 ppm. <br />Calcium <br />Calcium is one cause of "hardness" in water. Calcium is not a hazard to health but is undesirable because <br />it may be detrimental for domestic usas such as washing, bathing and laundering. It also tends to cause <br />encrustations in kettles, coffee makers and water heaters. 200 ppm is often considered an acceptable <br />limit. <br />Magnesium <br />Magnesium is another constituent causing "hardness" in water. A suggested limit of 150 ppm is used <br />because of taste considerations. <br />Iron <br />Iron levels as low as 0.2 to 0.3 ppm will usually cause the staining of laundry and plumbing fixtures. The <br />presence of iron bacteria in water supplies will often cause these symptoms at even lower levels. Iron <br />gives .water a metallic taste that may be objectionable to some persons at one to two ppm. Most water <br />contains less that five ppm iron but occasionally levels over 30 ppm are found. Iron and iron bacteria are <br />not considered a health concern. <br />Sulphate (SOa) <br />Sulphate concentrations over 500 ppm can be laxative to some humans and livestock. Sulphate levels <br />over 500 ppm may be a concern for livestock on marginal intakes of certain trace minerals. Very high <br />levels of sulphates have been associated with some brain disorders in cattle and pigs. <br />Chloride <br />Due to taste considerations the suggested maximum level for chloride is 250 ppm. Most water in Alberta <br />contains less than 20 ppm chloride, although chloride in the 2,000 ppm range can be found. <br />NOz Nitrogen (Nitrite) <br />Due to its toxicity, the maximum acceptable concentration of nitrite in drinking water is one ppm. Ntrite <br />is usually an indicator of very direct contamination by sewage or manure because nitrites are unstable and <br />quickly become nitrates. <br />The concentration in livestock water should not exceed 10 ppm. <br />of 4 ~ 12/31/97 08:52:33 <br />