Industrial Water Supplies

Water Quality

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Colour in British Columbia: Technical Appendix

9. Industrial Water Supplies

9.1 Effects

Colour-causing constituents may cause foaming in boilers, hinder precipitation methods (e.g., iron removal or water softening) or impart a colour to finished products.

9.2 Literature Criteria

In Australia, all waters for the textile, tanning and leather industries must have a true colour of less than 5.0 mg/L Pt (Australia 1992). For the food and beverage industry, the guidelines are <5.0 mg/L Pt for water used in brewing, canning, freezing and processing, and <10 mg/L Pt for water used in baking and carbonated drinks.

9.3 Proposed Criteria

No water quality criteria are proposed for apparent and true colour for this water use.

9.4 Rationale

Colour criteria for industrial water use are not likely necessary because industries requiring very clear water (e.g., production of fine paper) generally treat the water to remove true and apparent colour prior to use.


	Water Quality Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Colour in British Columbia: Technical Appendix 9. Industrial Water Supplies 9.1 Effects Colour-causing constituents may cause foaming in boilers, hinder precipitation methods (e.g., iron removal or water softening) or impart a colour to finished products. *9.2 Literature Criteria* In Australia, all waters for the textile, tanning and leather industries must have a true colour of less than 5.0 mg/L Pt (Australia 1992). For the food and beverage industry, the guidelines are <5.0 mg/L Pt for water used in brewing, canning, freezing and processing, and <10 mg/L Pt for water used in baking and carbonated drinks. *9.3 Proposed Criteria* No water quality criteria are proposed for apparent and true colour for this water use. *9.4 Rationale* Colour criteria for industrial water use are not likely necessary because industries requiring very clear water (e.g., production of fine paper) generally treat the water to remove true and apparent colour prior to use.