Conductivity is useful as a general measure of total dissolved solids and stream water quality. Pollution from irrigation, clearing land near a stream, fertilizer overuse or discharges of briney wastewater can all cause the water conductivity to increase - indicating higher levels of dissolved solids.
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;TDS
;Water Quality
Conductivity / Specific Conductance:
Conductivity (or Specific Conductance) is a measure of how well water can conduct an electrical current. Conductivity increases with increasing amount and mobility of ions. Conductivity is therefore also an indirect measure of the presence of dissolved solids such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and iron, and can be used as an indicator of water pollution.
Conductivity is measured in µhos/cm and Specific Conductance is measured in microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm). One siemen is equal to one mho, but since specific conductance is affected by temperature, values are often converted to what they would be at room temperature (25° C) (ref).