"In water treatment, we use ppm to measure the amounts of minerals and gasses dissolved in water. We use water as a medium to transfer heat. As the water transfers heat, these dissolved impurities in ppm can cause problems in the equipment such as mineral scale and corrosion. Water, depending on its characteristics, can only dissolve so many parts per million of a mineral. Then, when we change the temperature and concentration of the water, these minerals may want to come out of solution. We use treatment chemicals measured and added in ppm to help prevent these problems. "