Public Drinking Water Fountain Tests schools, malls, parks – anywhere there are water fountains of interest.
Experiment for science project that combines chemical and bacteria testing of drinking water fountains. Chemical testing only takes a few minutes per water sample. The bacteria sample incubates for 2 days before reading.
#522 Public Drinking Water Fountain Tests
Each drinking water sample is tested for this Set of parameters: Alkalinity, pH, Water Hardness, Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine plus Bacteria Growth (6 tests per set).
Total Alkalinity and pH test scales
# 115 pH and TOTAL ALKALINITY of Water
Colorimetric test strips. (2 tests per strip)
pH and Total Alkalinity are two of the most fundamental parameters in drinking water testing as well as a great variety of other applications of water usage. Alkalinity indicates the buffering capacity of natural waters. A water is buffered if the pH does not change greatly by addition of acids or bases.
The most effective buffering action is within the pH range of water from 6.0 to about 8.5. The productivities of water can be correlated with ph, alkalinity and the buffering system.
The color charts for these tests read pH levels and Total Alkalinity in mg/L or ppm.
The Color Comparator Chart test reports levels of:
pH levels of 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 11
Total Alkalinity 0, 40, 80, 120, 180, 240, 720 mg/L or ppm.
Both tests are on the same test strip.
Results are obtained from this test in 25 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 |
Total and Free Chlorine test scale
# 130 Total and Free Chlorine in Water
Colorimetric test strips. (2 tests per strip)
Total Chlorine and Free Chlorine test strips are used for testing
drinking water from a city water treatment system. This dual test is a convenient way of monitoring Total and Free Chlorine.
This test has been calibrated around EPA drinking water standards. Free Chlorine levels of 4.0 mg/L or greater exceeds Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL) as recommended by EPA.
The Color Comparator Chart for this test reports mg/L or ppm of:
Total Chlorine 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 10.0
Free Chlorine 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 10.0
Results are obtained from this test in 30 seconds.
Bacteria Growth Check test scale
# 180 Bacteria Growth Check
Colorimetric test strips. (1 test per strip)
Bacteria Growth Check is a test strip that has been specially formulated with Brain Heart Infusion media that allows maximum cultivation of fastidious aerobic bacteria found in some waters. This test could be used in a variety of applications, however it is not specific for any particular type of bacteria.
You can dip these strips in water or swab surfaces with them. The Bacteria test procedure then requires you to return the test strip into a clear plastic bag for incubation. After 48 hours of room temperature incubation, any fastidious bacteria on the test pad will multiply and turn the test pad pink to red. The darker and more consistent the test pad, the more bacteria that are present.
Bacteria Growth Check tests only a small water sample and requires a significant quantity of bacteria to show a change on the test pad.
Public Drinking Water Fountain Tests schools, malls, parks – anywhere there are water fountains of interest.
Experiment for science project that combines chemical and bacteria testing of drinking water fountains. Chemical testing only takes a few minutes per water sample. The bacteria sample incubates for 2 days before reading.
#522 Public Drinking Water Fountain Tests
Each drinking water sample is tested for this Set of parameters: Alkalinity, pH, Water Hardness, Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine plus Bacteria Growth (6 tests per set).
Contact Us at: info@sciencefaircenter.com Please email us your questions and mention something about the students project, grade level, your question and if you want us to call…phone number.
Thanks, I’ll try to get back to you quickly,
Gordon
info@sciencefaircenter.com
#522 Public Drinking Water Fountain Testing
