Overall Water Quality Index

Test Parameter	Results	Q-Value	Weighing Factor	Total
BOD	9.5 (mg/L)	37	0.11	4.07
Dissolved Oxygen	9% (saturation)	8	0.17	1.36
Fecal Coliform	420 (colonies/100 mL)	5	0.16	0.8
Nitrates	0.667 (mg/L)	94	0.10	9.4
pH	7.3	88	0.11	9.68
Temp.	10	45	0.10	9.1
Total Dissolved Solids	89.95 (mg/L)	86	0.07	6.02
Total Phosphates	2.6 (mg/L)	21	0.10	2.1
Turbidity	36.6 (NTU)	61	0.08	4.88

Overall Water Quality Index: 47.41
This number tells us that the water quality is fair.

Solutions

We can improve our water quality by not applying fertilizers or pesticides near bodies of water, replacing inorganic fertilizers with manure or compost, growing organic foods, and more. We can also use a process called Xeriscaping, which is a win-win situation where we can use drip irrigation and copying nature by replacing green lawns with native vegetation or stones. By doing so, we could also reduce water use by 30-85%. Furthermore, we could reduce the amount of money we spend because it would reduce the need for labor, fertilizer, and fuel. And, it would also help preserve biodiversity, reduce polluted runoff, air pollution, and yard wastes.