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Sensory assessment of water quality
Wmer Restarch Vol. 15, pp. 289 to 290 Persan~n Press Ltd 1981. Printed in Ore.at I ~ t i n
ERRATUM T h e Editor regrets t h a t the title and one of the Editors of a Book Review published in Water Research, Volume
14, N u m b e r I0, p. 1564 was wrongly transcribed. The correct version is given below. Oily Water Discharges. Edited by C. S. Johnston & R. J. Morris.
BOOK REVIEWS Mamml die Drmaje (Handbook of Dralmal~ in Spanish) by Aurelio Hernindez Mufioz, Formica Espafiola S.A, Galdecano, Vizcaya, Spain, 1979. 390 pp.
that "Menverse recently demonstrated the specific involvement of cydic-AMT in the subsequent transduction step from odorant-membrane interaction into a nerve impulse." The conct'pt of odour detection threshold and taste This book is intended for practising engineers and civil intensity are well described and interestingly illustrated by engineers. It gives an account of a wide spectrum of such facts as the recognition of about 100 different odour drainage problems related to storm and sanitary sewers qualities by experienced perfumers. But one can only guess designs as well as drainage systems for highways, airports, what is meant by the statement that "inter-individual difirrigation, dams and buildings. The theory and practice of ferences in sensitivity show a range of 100-10,000 as indisuch works is developed with special emphasis on t h e cated by threshold determinations". fundamental parameters used to design drains and subOne of the main purposes of the book is to use sensory drains, including different soil classification in a~ordance water quality asse~ment as a rapid method of helping to with up-to=date accepted t h e o r ~ in this area of knowlidentify subetances which contribute undesirable taste and odour to waters and to prevent their acoes, to sources of ~tge. The book also provides a chapter ctealing with the water supply. intensities of rainfall and runoff and actual values encounA detailed account is given of a comprehensive enquiry tered for different Spanish regions. Another chapter is dedicarried out by various special~ts on a croes-section of the cated to groundwater and deep wells, the types of aquifers population in the Netherlands into the uses of water and aud their hydraulic functioning. In addition the book its sensory quality. The records of the users' views on the covers matters related to open channel flows and pressure freshness, taste, odour and other properties of the water are pipes flows. Finally, 2 chapters cover the so called "Glaswell worth studying. In the reviewer's experience, there is sidren and Glassidur hard PVC pipes use" and "Specifica- an indication that individuals are most aware of environtions and consumption of water for municipal, industrial mental shortcomings at weekends or during their leisure and agricultural supplies'. The author hat provided in this hours. book information that would also be m~-ful to students Following this survey, by a process of invitation, req~"ialising in this area of water supply and sewerage. sponse and selection, representative odour sensory panels were set up and their reactions to two test chemicais-G. RtVAS-MuAg~S o-dichlorobenzene and isoborneol--were determined after the panels had been well brided: the conclusions drawn from these tests are recorded. The taste imparted to drinking water by inorganic and Semm-y ~ t of Water Qnality by B. C. J. Zoeteman, organic substances is also dealt with. Furthermore, 20 difPergamon Press, 1980. 148 pp. 128. ferent tapwaters were examined quantitively for specific compounds and the frequency with which they were The senses human beings use to assess water quality; subdetected and the highest concentrations found were jective tests on water quality judged by panels; drinking recorded. water taste and its organic constituents; and the value of This leads logically to the question of the presence of judging water quality by sensory (in addition to other) chemicals which in high concentration are known to have methods are the main themes of this book. It is clearly carcinogenic or other undesirable genetic properties and of meant for all those many individuals and orgnnizations the larger number of chemicals of unknown, but suspected responsible for supplying the public with water and ensurof having harmful effects. Over 30 of these are mentioned ing its palatability. Consequently, the subject ought to 4~e by name and the author, quoting his original work in this of interest to water management bodies concerned with field, is able to indicate the potential hazards from such protecting potential surface and underground waters from materials. But the concentration at which they can be natural or synthetic contaminants that may adversely affect detected by taste or odour may he higher than their harmthe taste and odour of drinking water. ful concentration when imbibed. On this subjec~ the author The wide range of interests and degree of scientific is able to draw upon the vast amount of information that is knowledge that might be expected amongst readers of the being obtained by the USA EPA on the identification of book make it undesirable that they should be puzzled by organic chemicals in water, their taste and odour and their an explanation of odorant discrimination by a statement genetic or behavioural effects. 289
290
Book Roiews
The author has provided a good account of a subject to which he has made considerable advancements and which is in a rapid state of development. Though the plates convey littlethat is useful the book is well documented and illustrated, His ~ g e of the importance of the sensory auemment of water is likely to be listened to by all respon-
sibie suppliers of water for public purposes and by those who control discharges of effluents to surface or underground waters.
S. H. J~IUNS
ERRATUM T h e Editor regrets t h a t the title and one of the Editors of a Book Review published in Water Research, Volume
14, N u m b e r I0, p. 1564 was wrongly transcribed. The correct version is given below. Oily Water Discharges. Edited by C. S. Johnston & R. J. Morris.
BOOK REVIEWS Mamml die Drmaje (Handbook of Dralmal~ in Spanish) by Aurelio Hernindez Mufioz, Formica Espafiola S.A, Galdecano, Vizcaya, Spain, 1979. 390 pp.
that "Menverse recently demonstrated the specific involvement of cydic-AMT in the subsequent transduction step from odorant-membrane interaction into a nerve impulse." The conct'pt of odour detection threshold and taste This book is intended for practising engineers and civil intensity are well described and interestingly illustrated by engineers. It gives an account of a wide spectrum of such facts as the recognition of about 100 different odour drainage problems related to storm and sanitary sewers qualities by experienced perfumers. But one can only guess designs as well as drainage systems for highways, airports, what is meant by the statement that "inter-individual difirrigation, dams and buildings. The theory and practice of ferences in sensitivity show a range of 100-10,000 as indisuch works is developed with special emphasis on t h e cated by threshold determinations". fundamental parameters used to design drains and subOne of the main purposes of the book is to use sensory drains, including different soil classification in a~ordance water quality asse~ment as a rapid method of helping to with up-to=date accepted t h e o r ~ in this area of knowlidentify subetances which contribute undesirable taste and odour to waters and to prevent their acoes, to sources of ~tge. The book also provides a chapter ctealing with the water supply. intensities of rainfall and runoff and actual values encounA detailed account is given of a comprehensive enquiry tered for different Spanish regions. Another chapter is dedicarried out by various special~ts on a croes-section of the cated to groundwater and deep wells, the types of aquifers population in the Netherlands into the uses of water and aud their hydraulic functioning. In addition the book its sensory quality. The records of the users' views on the covers matters related to open channel flows and pressure freshness, taste, odour and other properties of the water are pipes flows. Finally, 2 chapters cover the so called "Glaswell worth studying. In the reviewer's experience, there is sidren and Glassidur hard PVC pipes use" and "Specifica- an indication that individuals are most aware of environtions and consumption of water for municipal, industrial mental shortcomings at weekends or during their leisure and agricultural supplies'. The author hat provided in this hours. book information that would also be m~-ful to students Following this survey, by a process of invitation, req~"ialising in this area of water supply and sewerage. sponse and selection, representative odour sensory panels were set up and their reactions to two test chemicais-G. RtVAS-MuAg~S o-dichlorobenzene and isoborneol--were determined after the panels had been well brided: the conclusions drawn from these tests are recorded. The taste imparted to drinking water by inorganic and Semm-y ~ t of Water Qnality by B. C. J. Zoeteman, organic substances is also dealt with. Furthermore, 20 difPergamon Press, 1980. 148 pp. 128. ferent tapwaters were examined quantitively for specific compounds and the frequency with which they were The senses human beings use to assess water quality; subdetected and the highest concentrations found were jective tests on water quality judged by panels; drinking recorded. water taste and its organic constituents; and the value of This leads logically to the question of the presence of judging water quality by sensory (in addition to other) chemicals which in high concentration are known to have methods are the main themes of this book. It is clearly carcinogenic or other undesirable genetic properties and of meant for all those many individuals and orgnnizations the larger number of chemicals of unknown, but suspected responsible for supplying the public with water and ensurof having harmful effects. Over 30 of these are mentioned ing its palatability. Consequently, the subject ought to 4~e by name and the author, quoting his original work in this of interest to water management bodies concerned with field, is able to indicate the potential hazards from such protecting potential surface and underground waters from materials. But the concentration at which they can be natural or synthetic contaminants that may adversely affect detected by taste or odour may he higher than their harmthe taste and odour of drinking water. ful concentration when imbibed. On this subjec~ the author The wide range of interests and degree of scientific is able to draw upon the vast amount of information that is knowledge that might be expected amongst readers of the being obtained by the USA EPA on the identification of book make it undesirable that they should be puzzled by organic chemicals in water, their taste and odour and their an explanation of odorant discrimination by a statement genetic or behavioural effects. 289
290
Book Roiews
The author has provided a good account of a subject to which he has made considerable advancements and which is in a rapid state of development. Though the plates convey littlethat is useful the book is well documented and illustrated, His ~ g e of the importance of the sensory auemment of water is likely to be listened to by all respon-
sibie suppliers of water for public purposes and by those who control discharges of effluents to surface or underground waters.
S. H. J~IUNS