Basic tests for well water that is not treated with chlorine.
Good experiment for rural water supplies for science fair project. Testing only takes a few minutes per sample.
# 518 Well Water Profile Tests
Each water sample is tested for this Set of parameters: pH, Alkalinity, Water Hardness, Iron+2, Nitrate and Nitrite (6 tests per set).
pH test scales
# 110 pH Testing of Water
Colorimetric test strips. (1 test per strip)
This pH test is very versitile in that it can be used for Drinking Water testing, food processing, environmental applications or in any other water matrix.
pH is short for “Power of Hydrogen”. The balance of positively charged and negatively charged hydrogen ions in drinking water determines pH.
Water that has a low pH is acidic or aggressive and can corrode plumbing resulting in metal ions being present in drinking water and damages fixtures and pipes.
Water that has a high pH is basic and will leave scale in pipes and fixtures.
This test features two test pads both measuring at the same range using different color indicators. This makes color matching easier on the Color Comparator Chart than with other colorimetric tests.
The test reports water pH at the following levels:
2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10, 11, and 12
Results are obtained from this test in 1 minute.
Total Alkalinity test scales
# 105 TOTAL ALKALINITY of WATER
Colorimetric test strips. (1 test per strip)
Total Alkalinity is a fundamental parameter and water testing. Total Alkalinity indicates the buffering capacity of natural waters. A water is said to be buffered if the pH is not changed greatly by addition of acids or bases. The most effective buffering action is within the pH range of water from near 6.0 to about 8.5.
Most natural waters are buffered to some extent by reactions that involve Dissolved Carbon Dioxide (CO2). This Carbon Dioxide is an indispensable reservoir of carbon for photosynthesis. Thus, the productivity’s of water can be correlated with alkalinity and the buffering system.
The Color Comparator Chart for this test allows you to read Total Alkalinity in mg/L or ppm.
This test reports total alkalinity concentrations in water at:
0, 40, 80, 120, 180 and 240 mg/L or ppm.
Results are obtained from this test in 30 seconds.
Total Water Hardness test scale
# 100 TOTAL WATER HARDNESS
Colorimetric test strips. (1 test per strip)
Water Hardness is composed of mostly calcium and magnesium. The water hardness comes from naturally occurring minerals in the local and regional geology being dissolved by water.
Hardness is a key water parameter and its control is important to assure proper water quality. Low Hardness (Soft water) can
contribute to corrosive water. High Hardness (Hard water above 400) can lead to clarity and scaling problems. Water softeners are used to reduce Total Hardness of water.
Testing for hardness in tap water is very common and is very quick and easy with these test strips. The Color Comparator Chart for this test allows you to read Total Hardness in mg/L or ppm.
This test reports calcium hardness concentrations in water at
0, 40, 80, 120, 180, 250, 425, 1000 mg/L or ppm.
Results are obtained from this test in about 5 seconds.
Background Information
Total Hardness (TH) is a measure of the total amount of calcium and magnesium that has naturally leached into the water during its journey through the watershed. In the U.S. water hardness is most often reported as milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm) as calcium carbonate (CaC03).
It is difficult to produce soap suds in water with high levels of calcium and magnesium ions, hence the term “hardness”.
In addition to reducing the effectiveness of soaps and detergents, hard water may cause an insoluble scale to form on fixtures and on the inside of pipes. Scale formation depends on several factors, one of which is pH.
The EPA does not regulate the levels of hardness in the water supply. There are, however, generally recognized levels that describe the amount of hardness in a water sample:
| Hardness as Calclum carbonate (ppm) | Classification |
|---|---|
| 0-60 | Soft |
| 61-120 | Moderately Hard |
| 121-180 | Hard |
| >180 | Very Hard |
Iron (Fe+2) test scale
# 155 Iron (Fe+2) in Water
Colorimetric test strips. (1 test per strip)
Testing for Iron in tap water is very common and is very quick. Each test strip result indicates the presence of Iron in the ferrous (Fe+2) state in water.
The color chart for this test allows you to read Iron+2 in milligram/L or ppm.
The presence of Iron in water contributes to the reddish brown stains on porcelin and plumbing fixtures. It can also add a metalic taste and odor to drinking water.
The Color Comparator Chart for this test reports mixed Iron (Fe+2) levels in water at:
0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 5.0 milligms/L or ppm.
(Note: concentration units are milligrams per Liter or parts per million). Best results are obtained when water is room temperature.
Results are obtained from this test in 2 1/2 minutes.
Nitrate and Nitrite test scales
# 135 Nitrate and Nitrite in Water
Colorimetric test strips. (2 tests per strip)
Nitrate / Nitrite test strips are for testing water in many applications from drinking water to water used to wash produce.
Nitrates and nitrites occur normally in nature from the breakdown of ammonia in the nitrogen life cycle. Nitrates in nature cause plant and algae growth that may affect the balance of water-based ecosystems.
Nitrate is found in fertilizers and animal waste. Rain tends to wash fertilizers containing nitrates into nearby natural water systems and ground water. Groundwater used as drinking water that contains nitrogen represents a hazard to babies. Many die every year as a result from “Blue Baby Syndrome.”
The Color Comparator Chart for this test reports concentrations compatible with EPA limits of total nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen in water.
The test reports levels of:
NO3 (as N): 0, 0.5, 2.0, 5, 10, 20, 50 mg/L or ppm;
NO2 (as N): 0.15, 0.3, 1, 1.5, 3, 10 mg/L or ppm.
Results are obtained from this test in 1 minute.
#518 Basic tests for well water that is not treated with chlorine.
Experiment for rural water supplies for science fair project. Testing only takes a few minutes per sample.
# 518 Well Water Profile Tests
Each water sample is tested for this Set of parameters: pH, Alkalinity, Water Hardness, Iron+2, Nitrate and Nitrite (6 tests per set).
