What environmental condition is often assessed to determine water quality?

Turbidity is a crucial environmental condition assessed to determine water quality because it measures the clarity of water and the presence of suspended particles. High turbidity in water may indicate contamination by sediments, microorganisms, and pollutants, which can affect aquatic life and the health of ecosystems. Evaluating turbidity is essential for understanding the physical conditions of a water body and can directly relate to nutrient loading, habitat quality, and the effectiveness of disinfection processes in drinking water treatment.

Other factors like color, temperature, and pH are also important in assessing water quality, but turbidity specifically focuses on the particulates in the water that can hinder light penetration and potentially lead to ecological issues. This makes turbidity a key indicator for assessing the overall health of aquatic environments.