United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Generating High-Quality Turbidity Data in
Drinking Water Treatment Plants to
Support System Optimization and
Monitoring
Office of Water (MS-140)
EPA 815-B-19-010
June 2019

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Disclaimer
This document is not a regulation; it is not legally enforceable; and it does not confer
legal rights or impose legal obligations on any party, including EPA, states or the
regulated community. While EPA has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of
any references to statutory or regulatory requirements, the obligations of the
interested stakeholders are determined by the applicable statutes, regulations and/or
other legally binding requirements, not by this document. In the event of a conflict
between the information in this document and any statute or regulation, this
document would not be controlling. Although this document describes common
turbidimeters and their use in public water systems, the information presented may
not be appropriate for all situations and alternative approaches may be applicable.
Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an EPA
endorsement or recommendation for use.
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About this document
This document describes the common turbidimeter setups and associated
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems used in drinking water
treatment plants. It also identifies "best practices" approaches to help ensure data
quality.
Background
Water treatment facility staff use data from continuous reading turbidimeters to
determine compliance with drinking water regulatory requirements. These data also
support plant process control, including optimization activities. The EPA Area-Wide
Optimization Program assists plants in setting and achieving optimization goals.
Recent activities of this program have focused on improving data quality, including
data collected by online turbidimeters. Some of the best practices identified through
the program's training activities are listed below and addressed in more detail in the
sections of this document.
•	Ensure representative sampling (e.g., avoid excessively long sample lines that
lead to delayed online measurements, choose proper sample locations, ensure
proper sample tap installation, ensure appropriate sample pumping). See Section
2 for more information.
•	Avoid inappropriate capping of turbidity data captured by plant Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system (i.e., ensure that the system can
capture true spikes). See Section 4.1 for more information.
•	Determine the most representative maximum daily individual filter effluent (IFE)
and combined filter effluent (CFE) turbidities. See Section 3 for more information.
•	Be aware of the impact of turbidimeter settings on signal output. See Section 4 for
more information.
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• Ensure consistent settings between instruments. See Section 4 for more
information.
•	Ensure that instrument flow rate is within range recommended by manufacturer,
as mentioned in Section 2.
•	Adhere to instrument maintenance schedule (e.g., annual change of bulbs,
inspection of photo detector, periodic sample line flushing and cleaning or
replacement).
•	Ensure that historical turbidity data are readily accessible from plant SCADA (e.g.,
create exportable daily time-stamped turbidity files). See Section 5 for more
information.
•	Conduct quality control reviews for continuous turbidimeter databases (e.g.,
ensure that date-time stamps for instruments match the SCADA system record,
investigate data sets that show turbidity spikes that are inconsistent with reported
plant performance), as mentioned in Section 5.
1. Typical Capability for Continuous Reading Turbidimeters and
SCADA Systems in Water Treatment Plants
1.1 Turbidimeter capability:
Continuous reading turbidimeters record results approximately once per second
(i.e., real-time data) and usually transfer these data to the plant SCADA through
an analog (most common) or digital signal. The real-time data can often be
viewed by the operator at multiple locations, including the turbidimeter controller
screen and the control room computer monitor (i.e., plant SCADA screen). The
ability to access historical turbidity data in SCADA systems varies widely from
plant to plant. Access can be very limited (e.g., manually "scrolling" back on the
SCADA screen to find data of interest) to exceptional (e.g., inputting selected
date range and data frequency to produce an electronic report).
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Turbidimeter data can also be accessed from the local short-term memory of the
turbidimeter through its associated controller. Data stored in the controller can be
downloaded to a computer and viewed in a spreadsheet. The data stored locally
in a turbidimeter controller are usually limited to approximately six months of 15-
minute data.
1.2 Individual Filter Effluent (IFE)/Combined Filter Effluent (CFE) monitoring
and recording requirements:
The regulatory requirement for IFE turbidity monitoring recording is at least every
15 minutes (40 C.F.R. § 141.560). The CFE turbidity monitoring recording
requirement is at least every four hours (40 C.F.R. § 141.74). The recorded IFE
data must be stored for at least three years (40 C.F.R. § 141.571) and the CFE
data must be stored for at least five years (40 C.F.R. § 141.33). Individual states
may have more stringent requirements for data retention and recording
frequency. Turbidity data are usually stored on the SCADA computer, and the file
is referred to as the data log in this document (sometimes also referred to as the
data historian). See Section 5 for a discussion of storing and accessing turbidity
data logs.
Federal regulations do not require that the CFE turbidimeter data be logged
electronically, but states may require it. State monthly operating reports (MORs)
usually require the operator to report the daily 4-hour readings when the plant is
in operation. This data can be captured by analyzing grab samples or by a
continuous-reading turbidimeter. Many plants have continuous-reading
turbidimeters to measure CFE, but some use grab samples for compliance
purposes.
2. Turbidimeter Location and Sample Tap Considerations
2.1 Turbidimeter location:
Continuous-reading turbidimeters should be located as close as possible to the
sample tap, ideally achieving one minute or less travel time to the turbidimeter,
while ensuring the flow rate to the instrument is within the manufacturer's
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recommendation for optimal instrument operation. This best practice helps to
minimize sample detention time and resulting delay in receiving real-time results.
Recognizing the balance between minimizing sample detention time and allowing
access to turbidimeters for calibration and maintenance, a sample detention time
of less than one minute is typically sufficient to promptly capture changes in IFE
and CFE performance.
2.2 Sample tap location:
The sample tap location for turbidimeters should be representative of process
performance.
•	For IFE turbidity samples, the sample collection tap must be located on the
filtered water line prior to combining with water lines from other filters (i.e.,
upstream of the CFE manifold).
•	For plants with filter-to-waste (FTW) capability, continuous monitoring during
the filter-to-waste period should be representative of the water going to waste.
In order to accurately monitor FTW turbidity, the CFE sample tap must be
located upstream of the FTW discharge.
•	The CFE sample tap must be downstream of the CFE manifold. For the CFE
sample to be representative of the performance of the filters, the sample
should be taken upstream of the clearwell and any post-filtration pH
adjustment. This avoids negative bias from settling in a clearwell or positive
bias from precipitation of iron, manganese, or post-floc due to pH adjustment.
3. Turbidity Data Interpretation and Related Instrumentation
Support
3.1 Key parameters:
For optimization purposes, operators should make process control decisions
based on using the real-time data available on the SCADA monitor or
turbidimeter controller. Operators should use these data to evaluate performance
during a filter run and during the recovery period following a backwash. Analysis
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of this information forms the basis for potential process control changes to
improve filter performance. Critical data that support the assessment of a water
treatment plant relative to optimization goals include:
•	Maximum raw water turbidity measured each day that the plant is in operation,
based on grab samples or continuous data (whichever is the more frequent
reading). Raw water turbidity monitoring frequency for grab samples is plant-
specific, based on the variability of the source water, but should be frequent
enough to alert operators to changing raw water quality so that treatment
adjustments can be made in a timely manner. Continuous instruments should
capture data at least every 15 minutes for optimization purposes.
•	Maximum daily settled water turbidity from each settling basin or clarifier. Grab
samples should be taken at least every four hours for optimization purposes.
Continuous instruments should capture data at least every 15 minutes for
optimization purposes.
•	Maximum IFE turbidity measured each day for every filter, excluding times
when filter is out of service, during backwash, and during FTW. Some data
loggers associated with plant SCADA have the flexibility to be turned on and
off to record only performance data when the filter effluent is going to the
clearwell.
•	Turbidity data at return-to-service following each filter backwash and the
highest turbidity during FTW, if FTW capability is available.
3.2 IFE data source and recording:
To track IFE performance relative to optimization goals, operators should also
use real-time continuous data representing filtered water going to the clearwell,
excluding data during backwashes and FTW. These data can be entered into a
trending spreadsheet such as the Optimization Assessment Spreadsheet (OAS),
available at the Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) website:
https://www.epa.aov/dwstandardsreaulations/optimization-proaram-drinking-
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water-systems. Options for selecting a data set to determine the maximum daily
IFE turbidity value are described in the table below.
Source of IFE data
Desirability of option
Determine daily maximum
manually from SCADA trend
line.
This option is the ideal option for
determining the maximum daily
IFE turbidity for each filter.
Determine maximum from 1-
minute readings from data
logger.
This option is better than 15-
minute readings2.
Determine maximum from 15-
minute readings from data
logger.
Appropriate if the return-to-
service turbidity post-backwash
is determined by some other
means such as from the SCADA
trend line1.
Determine maximum from grab
samples (collected at least
every 15 minutes).
If any of the options above are
available, then this is the least
desirable option. Turbidity
spikes could be missed between
sampling intervals.
1	This option works well if each 15-minute reading represents the maximum turbidity value during the 15-
minute period and the return-to-service turbidity is determined from the SCADA trend line.
2	This option works well if the 1-minute readings represent the maximum turbidity value during the 1- minute
period.
For historical records, the plant SCADA should log IFE turbidity data at a
frequency of at least once every 15 minutes (maximum value during the period
would meet optimization needs). Refer to Section 5.3 for suggested format.
These records provide the basis for internal and external assessment of
historical plant performance.
3.3 CFE data source and recording:
To track CFE performance relative to the optimization goals, operators should
follow an approach similar to that described in Section 3.2, including guidance on
determining the maximum daily value. EPA's optimization program recommends
fifteen (15)-minute data logging or more frequently. Critical optimization data that
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support the CFE optimization goal include the highest CFE turbidity value
measured each day.
While there is no federal regulatory requirement to record the maximum daily
CFE turbidity, there are maximum CFE limits, and reporting requirements and
actions, for when CFE turbidity levels exceed 1.0 NTU (see 40 C.F.R. § 141.175
for further information). Recording the maximum daily CFE turbidity supports
optimization efforts and some states may require it. Many states require the daily
maximum CFE turbidity value to be reported on their MOR.
4. Turbidimeter Settings
4.1 Output span (applicable to analog signals only):
Setting the turbidimeter output span involves configuring the analog 4-20
milliamp (mA) signal for corresponding turbidity values. A minimum span of 0 to
at least 5.1 NTU will capture data needed for determining regulatory compliance
and for optimization purposes. A span up to 5.1 NTU will accommodate slow
sand filter and alternative filtration technologies. Most current turbidimeters have
sufficient capability (i.e., > 12-bit processors) to provide the needed data
resolution to support this span. This range will also allow the plant and regulatory
agency to evaluate the need for (1) a self-assessment, if IFE turbidity readings
are above 1.0 NTU in two consecutive measurements in three consecutive
months, or (2) a Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE), if IFE turbidity
readings are above 2.0 NTU in two consecutive 15-minute interval
measurements in two consecutive months, as required by 40 C.F.R. § 141.175.
NOTE: The transmitting device (instrument's controller) and the receiving device
(SCADA, PLC, chart recorder, etc.) must be spanned correctly for the data to be
accurately recorded in SCADA. The analog output from the controller/transmitter
and the analog input to the receiving device must both be calibrated for span
independently. Many modern instruments offer the choice of digital or analog
outputs and receiving devices may also be digital or analog. It is possible to
intermix analog and digital systems. Because of the variety of systems available,
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a trained instrumentation controls technician may be needed to set up data
collection system input and output devices. The system should be checked
whenever it is re-spanned to ensure that the signal span in the controller is the
same as the signal span in SCADA. For example, if an analog 4-20 mA signal is
initially set up for a span of 0 -1 NTU, then the output device (instrument
controller) and receiving device must be scaled the same. If the controller is later
rescaled to 0 - 5.1 NTU output range, the entire system should once again be
checked (ideally by a trained instrumentation controls technician) to assure that
every part of the system is appropriately rescaled. In a SCADA system, this will
involve reprogramming the receiving device and the HMI (Human-Machine
Interface). If an all-digital system is used for data transmission, the process of
ensuring the data are spanned correctly throughout the entire system is simpler.
4.2	Signal averaging:
The default on most turbidimeters is to average the last 30 readings (i.e., 30
readings taken at approximately 1-second intervals) and send the resulting
average value to the controller and SCADA. The averaged number is displayed
on the controller as well. The signal averaging results in one new value being
added to, and the oldest value dropped from, the average every second. This
tends to even out any irregular variations that may occur in the signal. This
variation can be caused by air bubbles or the presence of non-representative
particles, such as those caused by scale or corrosion, drifting in and out of the
view of the detector. For both compliance and optimization monitoring, the 30-
second default associated with some instruments works well and usually does
not require adjusting. In some turbidimeter controllers, this feature can be
referred to a "speed of response" when coupled with algorithms that minimize
positive interference from air bubbles and other anomalies.
4.3	Bubble reject algorithm:
The bubble reject algorithm is a means to minimize the positive interference
caused by gas bubbles in the sample (i.e., the bubble interference causes higher
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turbidity readings). The bubble reject feature in turbidimeters is a statistical
algorithm built into the instrument that attempts to adjust for positive interference
in discrete measurements. Sometimes this feature can be referred to as the
"speed of response" of the turbidimeter, when it is coupled with a signal
averaging feature. The values that are deleted by the algorithm occur over a very
short time span (seconds) and should not impact the ability of the operator to
identify true spikes in their process. The default for most instruments is for the
bubble reject algorithm to be turned on. For both compliance and optimization
monitoring, using this default setting works well and usually does not require
adjustment.
4.4 Loss of signal to the controller:
If the turbidimeter controller loses its signal, the controllers usually have two
options for how to respond: (1) "Hold Outputs" (also known as "Error Hold"), or
(2) "Transfer Outputs". Controllers are usually preset by the manufacturer to the
"Hold Outputs" / "Error Hold" mode. In this mode, if the controller does not
receive a signal from the turbidimeter, the controller will continue to send the last
known value that came from the turbidimeter to SCADA. This default setting can
mask the signal loss problem from operators, sometimes for days if the typical
filter performance is steady. For compliance and optimization monitoring, the
controller "loss of signal" option should be set to "Transfer Outputs" mode, when
available. In other turbidimeter controllers, this can be referred to as "configuring
the error level". This feature generates a user-defined preset value when the
signal is lost from the turbidimeter. The preset value should be one that would be
immediately recognizable (e.g., 0.0 or 5.0 NTU, or the corresponding mA signal
can be set to indicate an error, such as 4.0, 2.0 or 0.0 mA for a 4-20 mA setup).
The SCADA system can be designed to initiate an alarm based on that value.
The operators would then be immediately aware of the problem and address the
situation. Any "loss of signal" data (e.g., 0.0 or 5.0 NTU) could then be excluded
from compliance reporting and any optimization analyses. Loss of signal
problems should be addressed promptly.
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An alternative or complementary approach to resolving a "loss of signal" issue is
to design the system to initiate an alarm to the SCADA whenever the turbidity
reading does not change over a specific period of time. For example, if the
turbidity value identified by three decimal places (e.g., 0.055 NTU) does not
change for 15 minutes (a highly unrealistic circumstance if the turbidimeter is
functioning properly), an alarm would be triggered by SCADA.
4.5	Calibration and maintenance settings:
Using the "Hold Outputs"/ "Error Hold" setting during calibration and
maintenance activities will typically account for erroneous turbidity spikes that
may occur when sample lines are disturbed during these types of activities.
4.6	Calibration verification:
States have different calibration and verification frequency requirements. The
manufacturer's operating instructions should be followed for turbidimeter
calibration. Measure standards on the turbidimeter covering the range of interest.
If the instrument is already calibrated in standard turbidity units, it is important to
verify that the instrument is still reading accurately on a regular basis. At least
one standard should be measured within the expected turbidity range during
normal usage. Some instruments permit adjustments of sensitivity so that scale
values will correspond to turbidities. Surface scratches on solid standards, such
as those made of lucite blocks, can cause calibration changes to the instrument.
If a pre-calibrated scale is not supplied, calibration curves should be prepared for
each range of the instrument. See EPA Method 180.1 for further information.
5. Storing and Accessing Turbidity Data Logs
5.1 General:
The data logs in a SCADA system have the capability of handling long-term data
storage needs. Refer to Section 1.2.
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5.2	Daily data log elements:
An electronic turbidity data log should be created daily in an easily accessible
format (e.g., csv, xlsx). Date, time, and turbidity values should be included for
each continuous reading turbidimeter. Turbidity data should be logged at least
every 15 minutes to best assess plant performance and support optimization.
Plant operating conditions (i.e., filter-to-clear well, FTW, backwash, out-of-
service) should be identified for logged IFE turbidity data. Sorting functionality
should be included to allow the operator to review historical data related to a
specific plant operating condition (e.g., filter-to-clear well data only).
5.3	Storage and integrity:
Data log files should be stored in a directory easily accessible by the plant
operators and backed up routinely (e.g., weekly). To mitigate the effects of
equipment failure, the data should be backed up to both onsite servers and a
remote drive, such as a portable hard drive. Surge protection should be provided
for systems that store the data logs to mitigate the effects of power failures.
Quality control reviews for continuous turbidimeter databases should be
conducted on a regular basis to ensure optimal operation and consistency with
other collected data. For example:
•	Ensure that date-time stamps for instruments match the SCADA system
record.
•	Investigate data sets that show turbidity spikes that are inconsistent with
reported plant performance.
6. SCADA Monitoring
6.1 Trend lines:
The SCADA monitoring system should be programmed to allow operators to
create their own trend lines using a flexible turbidity scale and a flexible time
scale (e.g., ability to change a scale from 0-5 NTU to 0 -1 NTU).
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6.2 Control screens:
The SCADA monitoring system should allow operators flexibility to create plant-
specific control screens showing selected trend lines (e.g., selected filter IFE
turbidity, filter flow rate, and valve open-closed position for the selected filter in
the same view).
7. Summary
A tabular summary of key recommendations is included in Appendix 1.
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Appendix 1: Summary of Recommendations for Generating High-Quality Turbidity Data in Water Treatment Plants
Table 1. Turbidimeter and Sample Location Considerations
Critical Data Handling
Element
Recommendation
Reference
Continuous turbidimeter
location and sample
line detention time
As close to sample tap as possible, ideally
achieving one minute or less travel time to
the turbidimeter.
See Section 2.1.
IFE turbidity sample tap
location
Locate on the filtered water line prior to
combining with water lines from other filters
(i.e., upstream of the CFE manifold) and prior
to FTW discharge.
See Section 2.2.
CFE turbidity sample
tap location
Locate downstream of the CFE manifold, but
upstream of the clearwell and any post-
filtration pH adjustment.
See Section 2.2.
Table 2. Data Integrity Considerations for Maximum Daily Values
Critical Data Handling
Element
Recommendation
Reference
Daily maximum
turbidity values
Determine raw water, individual settled water,
IFE, and CFE daily maximums.
Used for optimization and for compliance in some
states. See Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 as well as the
applicable sub-sections.
Office of Water (MS-140)
EPA 815-B-19-010
June 2019

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Critical Data Handling
Element
Recommendation
Reference
Raw water turbidity
data logging frequency
Plant-specific but at least one sample per
day. Continuous instruments should capture
data at least every 15 minutes for
optimization purposes.
See Section 3.1.
Settled water turbidity
data logging frequency
At least one sample per day. Continuous
instruments should capture data at least
every 15 minutes for optimization purposes.
See Section 3.1.
IFE turbidity data
logging frequency
Obtain manually from SCADA trend line or
15-minute intervals using the maximum value
within each 15-minute interval (with return-to-
service value after backwash determined
from the SCADA trend line) or 1-minute
intervals. Excluding data when the filter is not
filtering to the clear well.
Used for optimization.
See Sections 3.1 and 3.2.
CFE turbidity data
logging frequency
15-minute data logging.
See Section 3.3.
Table 3. Turbidimeter Settings Considerations
Critical Data Handling
Element
Recommendation
Reference
Output span
Set span to 0 to at least 5.1 NTU.
See Section 4.1. Not applicable to digital data
transfer systems. IMPORTANT: The transmitting
device (instrument's controller) and the receiving
device (SCADA, PLC, chart recorder, etc.) must both

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Critical Data Handling
Element
Recommendation
Reference


be spanned correctly for the data to be accurately
recorded in SCADA.
Signal averaging
30 seconds.
See Section 4.2.
Bubble reject
Set to "On."
See Section 4.3.
Loss of signal
Set to "Transfer Outputs", if feature is
available, and/or set alarm based on loss of
signal.
See Section 4.4. Set turbidimeter to transfer to a
known value to alert operators if signal is lost.
Consider designing SCADA alarm to alert on loss of
signal.
Calibration settings
Set to "Hold Outputs."
See Section 4.5.
Table 4. Turbidity Data Storage Considerations
Critical Data Handling
Element
Recommendation
Reference
Accessibility
Locate log files in a directory easily
accessible to operators.
See Section 5.3.
Backup
Data logs should be backed up at least
routinely (e.g., weekly).
See Section 5.3.

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