Electrical conductivity: Electrical conductivity of water is the ability to conduct electricity in water. It is also called EC or specific conductivity. To measure the conductivity of water, a laboratory bench or portable meter is used. The units for measuring the conductivity of water are: siemens per meter in SI, milliohms per centimeter in CGS, micrograms per square centimeter. Pure water is an insulator and has very low conductivity. The conductivity of distilled water is between 5.5 to 6 S/m. The conductivity of water increases due to the substances dissolved in water. Chemicals or salts dissolved in water break down into positively and negatively charged ions. These ions become free in water and conduct electricity. Water conductivity gives information about the purity and quality of water. Rainfall, geology, evaporation, road salt, septic/landfill leachate, impervious surface runoff, and agricultural runoff affect water conductivity (Yang .