Learning About Water Testing Kits

By Judy Sullivan


Water testing kits are very vital appliances that each household should probably possess. This kit is utilized in the testing of different properties to stop possible poisoning or other medical problems especially to pregnant women and babies. They are inexpensive and easily available from stores and shops that stock related commodities. The low-end makes can go for as low as 10 US Dollars.

All public suppliers of water are needed by government authorities to test their waters for various contaminants and test results availed to customers on an annual basis. Private supplies are on the other hand primarily the duty of property owners. There are no regulations that need individuals to test their wells. Even with no regulations demanding for yearly analysis of private waters, an individual must make sure that the testing is carried out at least ones annually or unless there are some pressing issues for analyzing more than ones.

Materials that must be tested for in wells yearly include coliform bacteria, pH, total dissolved solids, and nitrates. Others that must be tested for yearly are arsenic, pesticides, lead, and copper among others. Chlorides, manganese, corrosion, hardness, iron, and sulfates should be tested against after every 3 years. Failure to test can cause some very horrific effects on people who use or consume such waters.

Coliform is the bacteria that is known for living in the intestines of the human body. Its presence in the stomach results in severe recurrent intestinal illness. Therefore, any forms of stomach illnesses can be signs that the bacteria needs to be tested for its presence. If household plumbing contains lead or if the plumbing system was recently replaced, installed, or repaired, lead is the substance to test for.

Laundry might also be of some help in finding out if there is necessity for performing any assessment. Often the laundry stains when washed, which is an open sign that sulfate, manganese, chlorides, and iron compounds are available. Hardness may be shown by washing waters that need a lot of soap to get soapy for easy washing. Main elements responsible for hardness are magnesium and calcium chlorides.

Other main indicators are color and odor. The color may be observed by naked eyes while the smell may be smelled using the nostrils. Color problems are shown by the waters looking cloudy, frothy, or not clear. The smell depends on the kind of contaminant that is available at the source. Equipment for treatment that wear off so quickly could indicate that pH is not at the correct value.

Babies and pregnant ladies are the most vulnerable for being affected by contaminants especially nitrates because of several reasons. Well or tap waters should be analyzed for nitrates before the baby is delivered, after birth, and regularly until six months are over. Exposure to nitrates by babies causes methemoglobinemia, which is the blood disorder that affects hemoglobin. The disorder causes supply of oxygen in blood to reduce to dangerously low levels.

Water testing kits are made in a broad of makes to suit various settings. They appear in various color shades and shapes for individuals to pick according to their diverse requirements. Many of them cost cheaply.




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