Sampling of both tap and bottled water
We are performing stratified sampling to collect water quality information from drinking water fountains water all five NYC Boroughs.
We measure selected water quality parameters including nitrates (NO3), nitrates (NO2), pH, alkalinity and hardness.
These measurements of water quality parameters are performed by CUNY student researchers as well as volunteer citizen scientists.
We are purchasing a range of bottled water brands including Aquafina, Fiji, Dasani, and Poland Springs and perform water quality for nitrates (NO3), nitrates (NO2), pH, alkalinity and hardness in the chemistry lab at BMCC.
Although pH and alkalinity are the common water quality indicators often discussed with respect to health benefits or concerns of bottled or tap water, reducing traces of nitrates and nitrates is sometimes warranted due to growing agricultural activities in NYC water supply watersheds. The excess nitrogen from fertilizer applications causes nutrient enrichment and eutrophication, thereby degrading the quality of water for drinking. We sample for nitrates and nitrates across CUNY campuses and in bottled water.