Monitoring Water for Nickel With KETOS SHIELD

With KETOS, operators can access and monitor their water quality by following 30+ water testing parameters (including nickel). Sampling happens from one device that plugs into existing infrastructure. With KETOS SHIELD, organizations gain lab-accurate readings in real-time right on-site. 

Discover KETOS SHIELD, a multi-award-winning intelligent water management solution. With KETOS your organization gains access to water quality insights across 30+ water testing parameters. Testing happens on-site in real-time via a self-calibrating device that is cloud-enabled, allowing water operators to manage and monitor their water infrastructure from anywhere.

Why Monitor Water for Nickel with KETOS

Nickel is used in the manufacture of many alloys, stainless steel, batteries, textiles, et cetera. Industrial processes, such as metal manufacturing, waste incineration, and power plant operation, may also cause more significant nickel concentrations to be released into the environment. Since nickel is an ingredient in fertilizer, it can enter waterways and groundwater via surface fun-off.

While nickel is necessary for many organizations, it can be toxic and even carcinogenic if ingested in high doses. That said, the EPA currently has no direction around nickel enforcement. While regulated until 1995, nickel has been remanded back to EPA for further regulation. That doesn’t mean that monitoring for nickel isn’t necessary, and industries that deal with nickel in their water should prepare to take the required steps should remediation protocols change.

What are the Issues with Nickel in Water?

Nickel, a transition metal commonly found in water sources, can present various challenges when present in elevated concentrations. Here are key concerns associated with nickel in water:

• Health Risks: Excessive levels of nickel in drinking water can pose health risks to humans. Chronic exposure to high nickel concentrations may lead to adverse health effects, including gastrointestinal disturbances, respiratory issues, skin allergies, and potential carcinogenicity. Individuals with nickel sensitivities or allergies may experience exacerbated symptoms upon exposure to nickel-contaminated water.
• Environmental Impact: Nickel contamination in water bodies can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Elevated nickel levels may disrupt aquatic organisms’ physiological processes, leading to reduced growth, reproductive impairment, and altered species composition. Contaminated runoff from industrial activities, mining operations, and urban areas can contribute to nickel pollution in waterways, further exacerbating environmental degradation.
• Regulatory Concerns: Governments and regulatory agencies establish guidelines and standards for nickel levels in drinking water to protect public health. Compliance with these regulations presents challenges for water utilities and industries, necessitating effective monitoring, treatment, and mitigation measures to ensure water quality and safety.
• Aesthetic Issues: High nickel concentrations in water can result in aesthetic issues such as metallic taste, odor, and discoloration. These characteristics can make water unpalatable for drinking, cooking, and other household uses, impacting consumer satisfaction and confidence in water quality.
• Corrosion and Infrastructure Damage: Nickel can contribute to corrosion of metal pipes, fittings, and plumbing fixtures in water distribution systems. Corrosion-related issues can lead to leaks, pipe failures, and infrastructure damage, compromising the integrity of water distribution networks and necessitating costly repairs and replacements.
• Treatment Challenges: Removing nickel from water sources can be challenging due to its chemical properties and solubility. Conventional treatment methods such as coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration may be ineffective for nickel removal. Advanced treatment technologies such as ion exchange, adsorption, and membrane filtration may be required to reduce nickel concentrations to acceptable levels.

Causes of Nickel in Water

Nickel contamination in water can arise from various natural and anthropogenic sources, impacting water quality and posing health risks. Naturally occurring nickel deposits in geological formations can leach into groundwater and surface water through weathering and erosion processes, contributing to its presence in water sources. Additionally, industrial activities such as mining, metal production, and manufacturing processes can release nickel into waterways through wastewater discharges and runoff. Corrosion of nickel-containing materials in plumbing systems can also introduce nickel into drinking water, particularly in areas with older infrastructure. While nickel is essential for some industrial applications, elevated levels in water can have adverse health effects, including skin irritation, respiratory issues, and potential carcinogenicity. Thus, monitoring and managing nickel contamination in water are crucial to safeguard human health and maintain water quality standards.

Acceptable Levels of Nickel in Water by Industry

In regulating nickel levels in water, industries adhere to distinct acceptable thresholds to ensure environmental and human safety. These standards vary depending on the sector’s specific requirements and potential impacts. For instance, in drinking water, the permissible limit for nickel concentration typically ranges from 20 to 100 micrograms per liter (µg/L), established by regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). However, for industrial applications like electroplating or metalworking, higher nickel concentrations may be tolerable due to the nature of their processes and the presence of treatment systems.

How to Easily Monitor Water for Nickel

Instead of measuring nickel 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.

How to test for nickel in water? KETOS offers innovative solutions for water quality monitoring, including specialized tests to accurately detect and measure nickel levels in water samples, ensuring effective environmental safety assessments. Test just for nickel, or test for dozens of variables at once. With KETOS, we make it easy to customize their tests to meet your precise needs.

Whether you need to measure ORP in groundwater, assess nitrates in irrigation water, along with monitoring nitrites in surface water sources, KETOS’ automated water monitoring solution is designed to streamline your processes. By incorporating nitrite detection capabilities for surface water analysis, it offers an effective tool for safeguarding water quality, saving time, and mitigating regulatory issues across diverse applications.