Conductivity

Research

What is conductivity?

Conductivity is how we measure the ionic content (such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, sodium, magnesium, calcium, or iron) in a body of water by measuring the water’s ability to conduct electricity.

Why is conductivity important?

Every body of water has its own unique conductivity level, based on its bedrock. It is important to establish a baseline as some bodies of water have naturally high levels due to their geology and geography.

What does a conductivity measurement mean for water?

We can use conductivity as an early warning system for potential problems that warrant further testing. If we see a variance (either lower or higher) from our baseline readings, we know something may have gone wrong. While lab testing is the usually the only way to determine what is causing the reading, higher readings could indicate a pollution event has taken place.

What about ocean water? Conductivity reading for ocean water is about 55,000 µS. While some people test conductivity in sea water, many meters won’t read that high. Many protocols choose to measure salinity instead. Salinity is measured in parts per thousand, with the average ocean reading measuring 35 ppt. Just like with all tests, we can convert readings, although conductivity measures everything that conducts electricity, while salinity only measures salt.

Some common values

Distilled water 0.5 – 3 µS
Melted snow 2 – 42 µS
Has effects on fish reproduction over 500 µS
Tap water 50 – 800 µS
Potable water 30 – 1500 µS
Freshwater streams 100 – 1,000 µS
Industrial wastewater 10,000 µS
Sea water 55,000 µS

E.g. Most readings for the Ottawa river are below 100 µS, but near a storm sewer could have conductivity values over 2,000 µS (or 2.0mS).

Ask an expert

Conrad Gregoire, Chemist, introduces Conductivity

Water Rangers Testing Protocol

Conductivity is measured by placing a conductivity probe in the water and measuring the flow of electricity between the electrodes.

  1. Pull off bottom cap. It can be a bit tough, but it’s a ‘pull’!
  2. Turn on the meter by pressing the top button.
  3. Dip meter into the water. Do not dunk the whole device in as the battery is near the top.  Hold in the water for 2 minutes, swishing it around lightly. Continue until both values remain steady for 30 seconds.
  4. Press the ‘hold’ button (middle button). (tip: If you get a reading of 10 or less, you have not removed the cap or you have taken the sensor out of the water before reading)
  5. Pull up meter and read the measurements. We record in µS/cm (microsiemens per centimetre), so check the units. If you get a reading like1.3, it is converting it to mS (millisiemens) and you must multiply 1.3 by 1000 and record 1,300 in your form.
  6. Make sure you turn off the device after use to preserve battery life (top button).
A digital conductivity probe measuring a sample of water. The conductivity measurement is 161 µS/cm, and the temperature is 19.8 degrees celsius
Top value is conductivity, and the bottom value is temperature.  So, this reading, done in winter in a stream has a conductivity of 161 and a temperature of 15 °C. These devices always adjust the conductivity based on temperature, so it’s important to record both values. These readings only work while the sensor is in the water.

How to test for conductivity

Taking care of your conductivity meter

Since the probe is conducting an electric current, it is so important to keep the electrode clean. Rinse electrode in distilled water often, and especially if you are taking samples where readings are high or if the area is polluted.

Calibration

Please note, one pouch is available to those who have purchased a testkit. For additional pouches, please contact us.

Ask an expert

Conrad Gregoire, Chemist, how to test and use a reference to make sure you’re accurate.

Contributing to the community!

Water Rangers is citizen-scientist led. So, if you have any questions, ideas, or notice any errors, please tell us!