Analysis of water - Methods and indicators for the measurement and monitoring of aquatic pollution

Water, an essential resource for life, is currently under increasing pressure from domestic, industrial, agricultural, and tourism-related discharges. These discharges result in contaminated water containing a wide variety of pollutants. When the self-purification capacities of aquatic environments are exceeded, these discharges lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of surface and groundwater, with consequences for ecosystems and human health.

In this context, water analysis—based on methods for measuring and monitoring water pollution—is an essential tool for assessing the condition of aquatic environments, quantifying contaminants, and guiding strategies for the sustainable management of water resources. The origin, types, regulatory frameworks, and sampling protocols for analyzing water pollution are detailed in * [P 4 201]*.

The European regulatory framework, based in particular on the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and Directive (EU) 2024/3019 on urban wastewater treatment, imposes strict discharge standards and enhanced analytical monitoring. These requirements are based on the application of standardized methods that ensure the comparability and reliability of results.

Water pollution analysis relies on representative sampling and the measurement of key physicochemical, biological, and toxicological parameters, such as BOD, COD, nutrients, trace metals, organic micropollutants, and pathogens. These analyses are conducted in accordance with international (ISO), European (EN), or national standards, which define protocols for sampling, sample preservation, sample preparation, and measurement. Particular attention is paid to analytical performance, notably detection and quantification limits, which have become critical for monitoring micropollutants and emerging substances present at very low concentrations.

This article provides a focused analysis of the characteristics of water pollution, water quality assessment criteria, the main standardized analytical methods, and the associated regulatory framework, in a context marked by increasing regulatory requirements and the challenges posed by the emergence of new contaminants.