Which of the following is a primary goal of water sampling?

The primary goal of water sampling is to assess water quality for public health. This involves collecting water samples to analyze various chemical, physical, and biological parameters that determine the safety and suitability of water for human consumption and recreation. Ensuring water quality is critical for preventing waterborne diseases, protecting ecosystems, and maintaining public health standards.

This process often includes testing for contaminants such as bacteria, heavy metals, and chemical pollutants that can pose significant health risks if present in unsafe levels. By routinely assessing water quality, authorities can take necessary actions to remediate and manage water resources effectively.

The other options do not accurately reflect the objectives of water sampling. Predicting weather patterns is related to meteorology rather than water quality. Determining property ownership pertains to legal issues and land surveying, and measuring the temperature of air falls under atmospheric sciences. Each of these areas plays an important role in environmental science but is not the focus of water sampling.