Correlation studies on three water testing methods-comparison of test results of turbidity and total chlorine

Objective To study the correlation between onsite rapid examination, online monitoring and laboratory examination results for drinking water turbidity and total chlorine, and to obtain a basis for rational disposition of the three methods. Methods A total of 87 sets of onsite rapid examination and online monitoring results were compared with laboratory examination results respectively by using paired t tests. Linear correlation coefficients between onsite rapid examination results and laboratory examination results, between online monitoring results and laboratory examination results were calculated. Corresponding linear regression equations were set up. Results There were no significant differences found either between onsite rapid examination results and online monitoring results or between online monitoring results and laboratory examination results. Linear correlation coefficients showed that the degree of correlation between onsite rapid examination results and laboratory examination results was higher than that between online monitoring results and laboratory examination results for both turbidity and total chlorine. Conclusion Onsite rapid examination and online monitoring are both reliable water examination methods in health inspection. The characteristics of the three methods should be considered when making disposition decisions. One or more methods should be used to maximize working effects and efficiency.