Monitoring Water for Dissolved Boron With KETOS SHIELD

Need help testing for dissolved boron and dozens of other water testing parameters? Find out how KETOS SHIELD simplifies water quality monitoring (while cutting costs).

When your company needs a solution to take on multiple water testing parameters, turn to KETOS SHIELD. KETOS is a hardware/software solution that provides real-time monitoring for dissolved boron and 30+ other parameters (such as other environmental factors, heavy metals, and more).

Why Monitor Water for Dissolved Boron with KETOS

Boron can enter water supplies via various methods, including the natural weathering of rocks. Boron can also enter a water supply via human activities, including fossil fuel combustion and wastewater discharge. It is present in everything from pesticides to cosmetics to consumer products. Some areas (such as California, Nevada, and Oregon) also have higher levels of boron concentration in their soils. Water contamination can happen directly (via wastewater and municipal sewage) and indirectly (via air deposition and soil runoff).

The federal government doesn’t regulate boron in drinking water. While public water systems are not required to monitor for it federally, there may be state-level drinking water guidelines that can apply to your organization. For example, the states of Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, California, and Wisconsin all have various standards and policies for boron that allow for acceptable levels ranging from 0.6 to 1 mg/L.

If you are in an industry or organization that requires the monitoring of boron in your operations, you can do so with KETOS. You can test for boron on-site and leverage lab-accurate, EPA-compliant results (in ppb) to understand the levels of boron in your water supplies. This allows water operators to stay compliant with local regulations while protecting against contamination or spikes in boron levels.

What are the Issues with Boron in Water?

Boron, a naturally occurring element, is commonly found in water sources worldwide. While boron is essential for various biological processes in plants and animals, elevated levels of boron in water can pose several challenges. Here are key issues associated with boron contamination in water:

• Health Risks: High concentrations of boron in drinking water can have adverse health effects on humans. Prolonged exposure to elevated boron levels may lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, skin irritation, and reproductive health issues. Additionally, boron toxicity can affect fetal development during pregnancy, posing risks to maternal and child health.
• Agricultural Impact: Boron is essential for plant growth, but excessive boron levels in irrigation water can be harmful to crops. Boron toxicity in soil can inhibit seed germination, reduce plant growth, and impair crop yield and quality. Managing boron levels in irrigation water is crucial for sustainable agriculture and maintaining soil fertility.
• Environmental Concerns: Boron contamination in water can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems. High boron levels in freshwater habitats can disrupt aquatic organisms’ physiological processes, leading to reduced biodiversity and impaired ecosystem health. Boron pollution from industrial discharges, mining activities, and agricultural runoff can exacerbate environmental degradation in waterways.
• Regulatory Compliance: Governments and regulatory agencies establish guidelines and standards for boron levels in drinking water to protect public health. Compliance with these regulations poses challenges for water utilities and industries, particularly in regions with naturally elevated boron concentrations or anthropogenic sources of contamination.
• Treatment Challenges: Removing boron from water sources can be challenging due to its chemical properties and solubility. Conventional water treatment methods such as coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration may be ineffective for boron removal. Advanced treatment technologies such as ion exchange, membrane filtration, and reverse osmosis are often required to reduce boron concentrations to acceptable levels.
• Treatment Challenges: Removing boron from water sources can be challenging due to its chemical properties and solubility. Conventional water treatment methods such as coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration may be ineffective for boron removal. Advanced treatment technologies such as ion exchange, membrane filtration, and reverse osmosis are often required to reduce boron concentrations to acceptable levels.
• Economic Impacts: Addressing boron contamination in water sources can impose economic burdens on affected communities, industries, and agricultural sectors. Investing in water treatment infrastructure and implementing mitigation measures to reduce boron levels may entail significant costs for stakeholders.

Causes of Dissolved Boron in Water

Dissolved boron in water can arise from a combination of natural and human-induced factors. In nature, boron is found in certain minerals and rocks. As these materials weather and erode, boron can leach into groundwater and surface water, particularly in areas with significant boron-rich deposits. Volcanic activity and geothermal sources are also known to release boron into nearby water bodies.

Acceptable Levels of Dissolved Boron in Water by Industry

Dissolved boron is a critical factor in water quality, especially for industrial applications where specific concentration limits must be maintained to ensure safety and functionality. Different industries have established acceptable levels of dissolved boron in water due to its varied impacts on processes and product quality. For instance, in agriculture, particularly in irrigation, the boron concentration must be kept low to avoid toxicity to plants. Similarly, in the semiconductor industry, even trace amounts can cause significant issues in manufacturing processes. The textile industry also requires stringent control over boron levels to prevent damage to fibers and ensure dye quality. These diverse requirements highlight the necessity for precise monitoring and control of dissolved boron in water used across various sectors to ensure optimal performance and compliance with health and safety standards.

How to Easily Monitor Water for Boron

Instead of measuring dissolved boron with a meter that only measures a handful of conditions; the KETOS SHIELD is capable of mentoring dozens of water related issues — in real-time. Monitoring for dissolved boron is just the start! Discover all of the upsides of KETOS SHIELD with our latest overview.

While monitoring for dissolved boron is a crucial beginning, delve into the multitude of benefits offered by KETOS SHIELD through our latest comprehensive overview. Explore its advanced features and capabilities, ensuring thorough water quality management for your organization’s needs and objectives.

Whether you’re detecting dissolved oxygen in freshwater, measuring dissolved silica in seawater, or monitoring fluoride in the chemical industry, KETOS’ automated water monitoring can save time and help reduce regulatory issues.