When you think of cities with the worst tap water, there is no doubt that Flint, Michigan comes to mind for most people.  The publicity that came with the Flint water crisis brought to light issues for other municipal water companies.  No longer can people take for granted the quality of water that is coming out of their taps.

Hidden Contaminants

One of the reasons that it is important to test your water is that many of the dangerous contaminants are hard to detect.  Occasionally an off-smell or a strange color may cause you to question the quality of your water, but most contaminants are colorless, odorless, and tasteless.

Long before the Flint water crisis, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had been collecting information about violations related to water quality in the U.S.  The problem was that no one had ever analyzed the data until recently.

The data collected covered 17,900 community water systems and spanned a period of  34 years. It contained violations for lead levels, coliform bacteria, arsenic, nitrates, and other contaminants. Analysis of the data revealed that during the Flint water crisis of 2015, almost 21 million Americans, 6% of the population, were getting water from public sources that violated health standards.

Protecting Water Quality

In 1972, the government passed the Clean Water Act and then, in 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act.  These laws were implemented to help regulate public water systems and provide clean water.  The acts give the EPA the power to set minimum standards for safe water and require public water companies to ensure that their water falls within these standards. While these laws serve to set standards for safe drinking water, recent news headlines prove that isn’t always the case.

The EPA has a weighted point system for tracking violations of its standards for contaminants and treatment. This system measures the number of violation points a public water system has per 1,000 residents served in each state. A majority of the public drinking water suppliers get a passing grade from both federal and state regulatory agencies. However, many of the regulated contaminants that are detected through standard testing are found at levels that may be legal but are above levels shown by scientific studies to pose health risks.

Worst Cities for Public Water

While rural areas are often in the news for contaminated water, major cities also struggled to enforce safe standards and upgrade aging pipes. Here are some of the cities with the worst tap water in the US, according to Business Insider.

What’s in Your Water

Even if your city didn’t make the list, there are many other cities struggling to replace aging pipes and enforce healthy water quality standards.  If you want to know what’s in your water, the best thing you can do is test it regularly.  Understanding and knowing which contaminants to test for is the first step to making sure your family’s drinking water is safe. TestAssured sells a variety of economic testing kits that let you test your water at home with instant results.  For more precise results, you can use our mail-in laboratory test kits for a detailed analysis of exactly what is in your water.

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What Causes Brown Water?

There are actually many different reasons your water could be brown. Some are harmless, while others could pose a serious health risk. That’s why it’s important to stop using your water until you are able to determine the problem.

Sediment

One of the most benign reasons your water could be brown is an accumulation of sediment or rust. Any kind of disruption to the water system could stir up these particles. This can turn clear water into a murky brew.  Nearby construction and water main breaks are the most likely causes of this type of brown water.  In these cases, the water usually clears up in a few hours. While the water might not look appealing, it would be safe to drink.

Rust

Similarly, issues with the plumbing in your home could also cause brown water.  If you have had issues with your pipes or recent plumbing repairs, this could dislodge rust from older pipes.  Likewise, if you have had to turn off the main water supply, the change in water pressure when the system is turned back on can also stir up rust.  Rust, which is oxidized iron, may make your water taste and look bad.  While rust itself isn’t harmful, it could indicate issues with your pipes which could compromise the quality of your water.

Minerals

Other minerals that can cause a disturbing color change in your water are iron and manganese.  Both of these minerals are naturally found in many of the foods we eat and are considered healthy.  Some people even seek out water that is high in these minerals as a natural supplement to their diet.

Water Heater

Maybe you only have brown water when you turn on the hot water. This might mean that the problem is with your water heater.  An anode rod that isn’t functioning properly can cause a change in water color.

Is Brown Water Safe to Drink?

The safety of brown water is hard to determine without knowing the cause.  Most of the common causes of brown water do not pose a health threat.  However, the brown water could be a sign that there is something else wrong with the water supply.  For example, old rusty pipes could be contributing to the off-color. While the rust itself is not harmful, the damaged pipes could allow the water to become contaminated by bacteria.  The best way to know if brown water is safe to drink is to test it.

TestAssured makes an easy to use testing kit with 10 different tests. The test kit will allow you to determine the quality of your water.  The test results might even help you to identify what is causing your water to turn brown.  Most of the tests will provide results within minutes, with the exception of the bacteria test, which takes two days to develop.

What Should You Do If You Have Brown Water?

The first thing you want to do is determine what is causing the color change in your water.  To find out if the problem is caused by the water supply, call your local utility company and ask if they are aware of any issues.  They typically will provide advanced notice if they will be doing any work that could disrupt the water quality and may advise boiling your water before using it.  If the problem isn’t coming from the main supply, the source could be in your home and may require an inspection by a plumber.

If you are unable to make changes to your water system to clear up the water, an easy solution is a water filter.  There are a number of filters available to fit every need and budget.  You can start with something as simple as a filtered water container to clean water for drinking and cooking or you can go for a full home filtration system.

While drinking brown water probably will not cause health problems, it is important to identify the source as a change in water color could be an indication of other issues.

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What Is Hard Water?

When people talk about water quality, one of the factors that is often mentioned is hardness.  As water travels through the ground, it picks up small amounts of sediment from soil and rocks.  Two of the most common minerals that easily dissolve to form hard water are calcium and magnesium.  These are the minerals that are responsible for the hardness of water.  The higher the content of calcium and magnesium, the harder the water.

The hardness of your water often depends on your location.  Between 75-85% of Americans have hard water in their homes.  Homes in the central United States have some of the hardest water.  Coastal states have some of the softest water. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (GPG).

Hard Water Causes Film and Soap Scum

Typically, you cannot tell if your water is hard by looking at it or smelling it.  However, you may notice that it interferes with your daily cleaning.  The minerals in hard water affect how soaps and detergents work, making it harder to clean dishes, clothes, sinks, tubs, and even your hair.

When soap mixes with hard water, it makes the water softer by removing the minerals from the water. This mixture creates a film that is hard to remove.  It also reduces the suds created by the soap, making it less effective.  Dishes cleaned with hard water dry to a dull or spotty finish.  Sinks and tubs often have a hard-to-remove film making them look dirty.  Cloths lose their brightness and softness.  Hair feels sticky or greasy after washing.

Costly Effects of Hard Water

Hard water can also affect your pipes, faucets, and appliances.  As the calcium and magnesium accumulate, they can leave an unsightly crust around fixtures.  This buildup can clog pipes, reducing water flow and eventually requiring pipes to be replaced.  Over time, hard water also causes costly damage to water-using appliances.

Testing for Hard Water

If your water comes from a public source, you can contact your water company and request the results of their water tests to find out hardness levels. For those who have private wells, you may wish to contact your local health department for information about testing.   If they do not have a testing laboratory, they should be able to direct you to a facility that tests water samples for private citizens. Most comprehensive water test results include the level of hardness of your water.

It is also possible to perform an at-home test to determine the hardness of your water.  This is an inexpensive option that can provide results in a matter of minutes. TestAssured offers a hard water test kit that is easy to use and will show you the hardness level of your water from 0 grains up to 24 grains.  All you have to do is dip the test strip into your water sample for one second.  Let the strip develop for 10 seconds and then place it on the results color chart to determine the hardness level.

Is Hard Water a Health Hazard?

Although there are many contaminants that make water unsafe to drink, calcium and magnesium do not pose any known health risks.  In fact, there are people who feel that these minerals offer certain health benefits because the additional calcium and magnesium are part of a healthy diet.  There are even some studies that show a link between drinking hard water and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

How to Treat Hard Water

Although hard water does not pose a health risk, it is often considered a nuisance.  There are a number of ways you can treat your water to make it softer.  This will increase the lifespan of your water-using appliances and the plumbing in your home.

Many people opt to use chemical-based water softeners to control water hardness. There are two different kinds of softeners, precipitating and non-precipitating.  Precipitating water softeners use washing soda and borax, while non-precipitating water softeners are made up of complex phosphates.  As water moves into the softener tank, the calcium and magnesium ions are removed through a process called ion exchange. This leaves behind water with a slightly higher salt content, but minus the calcium and magnesium.

If you don’t want to invest in a water softener, but you don’t like the taste of hard water, an inexpensive solution is a water filter.  You can improve the taste of hard water with a filtration pitcher or a faucet water filter.  Both are available in an assortment of styles and sizes with different filters and features.  Basic models start around $20 and will filter out the hard water minerals as well as chlorine and other contaminants.

Determining If You have Hard Water

Hard water is not dangerous to drink, but it can be a costly nuisance.  The hardness of your water will vary depending on your water source and where you live.  TestAssured’s Water Hardness Test strips are a simple and affordable way to find out just how hard your water is.

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What is Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning occurs when there is a continual source of lead being ingested.  Over time, the lead builds up in the body, causing serious health concerns. For people with developing and compromised immune systems, even small amounts of lead are cause for concern. Children under six years old are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning because their bodies are still developing. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal.

How Does Lead Get into Water?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) work together to set and enforce allowable limits of lead in our water.  Because public water sources are regularly tested, you may think you don’t need to worry about lead poisoning.  Despite these measures, lead poisoning from water is still a risk.

Even if water tests free of lead at the source, it still must travel through an extensive system of pipes to get to your home.  Along the way, it can pick up lead from older pipes, plumbing systems, and water taps.  Lead can even be found in brass plumbing fixtures and copper pipes that have been soldered with lead.  As water travels and sits in these pipes, lead leaches from the pipes and into the water.

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is very hard to detect, especially at low levels.  Lead is absorbed by the body and accumulates over time.  Symptoms of poisoning may not appear until dangerous levels of lead have built up in the blood and organs.  Sometimes even people with very high levels of lead in their blood may not show any signs of illness.

Children are very susceptible to lead poisoning because of their small size and developing bodies. Some of the symptoms you should be aware of include:

• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Sluggishness and fatigue
• Irritability
• Constipation
• Seizures
• Hearing loss
• Developmental delay
• Learning difficulties

Although children are at higher risk, adults are at risk as well.  Pregnant and nursing mothers should be especially cautious not to drink water contaminated with lead because some of the lead will be passed to the baby.  The elderly and people in poor health should also be concerned about their water quality due to compromised immunity.  Symptoms of lead poisoning in adults include:

• Joint and muscle pain
• High blood pressure
• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Mood disorders
• Reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm
• Miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth in pregnant women

Diagnosis

If you suspect that you or someone in your family is suffering from lead poisoning, you should seek medical attention.  If you live in an older home or are unsure what type of pipes were used in your home, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child be tested for lead during the first few years after birth.  Screening is also recommended for older children who have never been tested.

Lead poisoning can be diagnosed through a simple blood test.  Only a small sample of blood is needed, typically from a finger prick.  The levels of lead are then measured in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).  While there are no safe levels of lead, a measurement above 5 mcg/dL indicates a potentially unsafe level for both children and adults.

Treatment

If you do test positive for lead poisoning, the first step is to identify the source of lead so exposure can be eliminated.  If caught early enough, blood levels may return to normal without treatment.  For severe cases, treatment is chelation therapy. This involves taking a medication that binds with the lead so that it can be excreted in urine.

Prevention

There are some simple measures you can take to prevent the risk of lead poisoning from your drinking water.  If you have an older home, you should have a plumber examine your pipes to determine if they are made of lead or have lead fittings.  It may be necessary to consider replacing the plumbing if it contains lead. This can be costly, but you should check with your local health department to see if there is any funding available to help offset the cost.

Another simple tip is to avoid using hot tap water for drinking, cooking, or making infant formula. Hot water should not be used for consumption because lead dissolves more easily in hot water.  For drinking and cooking, be sure to run the cold water for at least a minute before using.

Test Your Water

If you want to know for sure if your water is contaminated with lead, the simplest thing to do is test it yourself.  TestAssured’s Lead in Drinking Water Test Kit allows you to test for lead in water from both municipal sources and wells.   The kit includes all the instructions and supplies you need to quickly test your drinking water for the presence of lead in only 10 minutes. If your tap water has lead levels exceeding 15ppb, you should take action immediately to minimize your exposure.

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Still Versus Sparkling

The most basic option between water starts with still, or flat, versus sparkling.  Still water is what you naturally get from the tap.  Most of the water that is labeled “sparkling” is made by adding carbon dioxide to ordinary still water to make it carbonated and bubbly.  Sparkling water is a healthy, calorie-free alternative to soda.  People with digestive issues may want to avoid sparkling water because the carbonation can cause gas and bloating.

Water Sources

The next consideration is the source, which is where the water comes from.  Drinking water comes from sources either above ground or below ground.  Surface water sources include streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, and reservoirs.  Although these are continually replenished by precipitation, low water levels are exasperated by evaporation and seepage into the ground. The EPA estimates that 68% of community water comes from a surface water source.  Groundwater comes from natural aquifers that store water underground.  There is almost 30% more water stored underground than in all streams, lakes, and rivers combined.  This plentiful source of water can be accessed by drilling deep into the ground through the bedrock layer.

Filtration Methods

Whether you’re buying bottled water or drinking tap water, water filtration can help remove some of the impurities and improve the taste.  Water manufacturers usually filter their water before bottling it.  If you are drinking tap water, there are a number of different filter systems you can use depending on what type of contaminants you are trying to remove.  There are filters that attach to your faucet, and there are also pitchers that contain filtration systems.  The goal of the filters is to remove chlorine, zinc, copper, mercury, and cadmium, which are common contaminants often found in tap water.  Not only can this help make the water safer to drink, but it also makes it taste better.

Distillation

Distillation is another method of removing contaminants from water.  The process of distillation works by heating water into steam, leaving behind the impurities.  There are some pollutants that have a lower boiling point than water, which means that if all of the vapor produced is captured in the same chamber, there could still be some contamination in the final product.  While distillation does eliminate a significant amount of pollutants, a secondary purification method is recommended.  You can either purchase water that is already distilled or you can use a home distillation system to treat your water.

Alkaline Water

Some manufacturers sell alkaline water which has a modified pH level that is higher than regular drinking water. Water from your tap typically has a neutral pH of 7, while alkaline water has a pH closer to 8 or 9.  Advocates of alkaline water claim that it offers health benefits because it neutralizes the acid in your body. They say that it can slow the aging process and prevent chronic diseases.  However, there is no scientific evidence that fully verifies these claims.

Water Additives

One of the most popular reasons that people give for not drinking enough water is that they don’t like the taste.  With the advances in flavor science, today you can find water in flavors from strawberry to bacon and even chocolate mint. You’ll also find water with added vitamins, electrolytes, and chia seeds.

Know That Your Water is Safe

No matter which water you choose, you want to know that the water you’re drinking is safe. The best way to do this is to test it.  This is easily done with an at-home testing kit.  TestAssured makes a number of products that you can use to test your water for different contaminants.  Their most comprehensive testing kit includes tests for lead, bacteria, pesticides, iron, copper, nitrates, nitrites, chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and hardness.  These tests work for all water sources, filtered water, treated water, and bottled water.

Which Is the Best Water?

So, which water is the best water for drinking?  They all vary a little, but it comes down to personal preference.  While the composition of the water may change its taste, it doesn’t necessarily add benefits. The minerals and flavorings that change the taste of water generally do not affect its nutritional value.  The bottom line is that best water to drink the water is the one you like the best. Water is an important a healthy diet, so whichever water makes you want to drink more, is the best water.

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What Is Distillation?

Historical accounts of water distillation go back to about AD 200 when people distilled drinking water from seawater.  Distillation is a simple process where water is boiled to produce steam.  The steam is then cooled and condensed into water.  Because the contaminants and minerals are not affected by the temperature it takes to boil water, they are left behind.

You can purchase distilled water, but it is also possible to distill water in your home.  A single-unit distiller is a popular choice for home distillation. It works by heating water in a chamber to produce steam.  The steam then moves from the chamber where it cools and condenses back into water.  Any contaminants remain in the chamber.

Mass produced distilled water is typically made in a multiple-effect vapor compression distiller.  These industrial distillers can convert millions of gallons of water in a single day. They use large-scale boiling chambers, connected by tubes, to turn the water into steam. The next phase is a compressor that condenses the steam back to water and releases it into storage chambers.

Uses for Distilled Water

While distillation can purify water for drinking, it also has a number of other specific uses.

• Scientists prefer working with distilled water for its exceptional purity.
• Distilled water lacks ions making it a good choice to fill cooling systems and the lead-acid batteries used in cars.
• Without trace minerals, distilled water works best in model steam engine boilers and other model engines. The lack of minerals improves efficiency and prevents what is known as boiler scale.
• Distilled water is used in aquariums because the chemical disinfectants common in tap water have been removed.
• Cigar aficionados use distilled water in their humidors to prevent mineral buildup and improve effectiveness.
• Homebrewers choose distilled water for its purity. This ensures that brews do not take on unusual flavor characteristics imparted by water impurities.
• CPAP users should use distilled water because it does not leave residue when the device’s humidifier evaporates water.

How Pure is Distilled Water?

The process of distillation heats water into steam, leaving behind much of the particulate matter that is considered contamination.  There are some pollutants that have a lower boiling point than water. During distillation, the process pushes these vapors into the same chamber as the water vapor. The final product that is in the chamber could still contain some contamination.  While distillation does remove impurities, experts recommend a secondary purification method to compliment the distillation.

One way to measure water purity is by determining how much electricity it can conduct.  Electrical conductivity, or resistance, is measured as it passes through two points in the water. Here are some resistance comparisons measured in ohms:

Benefits of Distilled Water

The biggest benefit you can gain from drinking distilled water is that it is cleaner and purer than tap water. Keep in mind that depending on the type of distillation, it may not remove all contaminants.  If testing showed that the original water source was safe for drinking, then distilling will improve the quality, and it will still be safe for drinking.  However, distillation of non-potable water may not produce water that is safe to drink.  The distillation process may not remove certain chemical compounds such as those found in pesticides.

Should You Distill Your Water?

If your tap water comes from a municipal source, workers regularly test it to ensure that it is safe to drink.  Municipalities do not test water from private water sources.  People with private water, such as wells, are responsible for testing their water source.  No matter where your water comes from, the surest way to know what is in it is to test it.  TestAssured offers a variety of testing kits that will show you exactly what is in your water.  If your water is high in minerals or heavy metals, home distillation may be an option to purify your water.

The post Understanding the Difference Between Tap and Distilled Water appeared first on .

In an emergency situation, would it be safe to drink pool water?  We decided to compare pool water, spa water, and tap water using  TestAssured’s 4 Test Kit Set for Schools and Science Fairs. This set includes 4 test kits and can be used by school students in third grade and above to complete a variety of science projects like this one.

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• Zipper sandwich bags
• Paper towels

Preparation

To prepare for the tests, you’ll need to gather your water samples.  We tested water from our local pool, a hot tub, and tap water for the control.  We found that one of the easiest ways to collect outside water samples is to use zipper sandwich bags.  You can easily label the bags, and they are large enough to allow for the TDS test.  For more stability (and less chance of spills) you can put the baggies inside mugs or cups.

Now is a good time to label your vials and write your water sources in the results notebook.

Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter.  The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment while your samples are still in the baggies.  To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter with clean water between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled.  To transfer your samples to the vials, simply snip off a small corner of the baggie to create a spout. Fill each vial to within a ¼” of the top.  Be sure to wipe up any spills, so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. Take notes about how clear or cloudy your samples look.  Are there any visible particles floating in any of the samples?  These observations can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. It’s easiest to work with one sample at a time.  Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Record your results in the results notebook

 Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the tests on your four samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Did the pool water or the spa water contain less contamination?
• Which sample contained the most chlorine?
• Would it be ok to drink pool water or spa water in an emergency?
• What results did you find the most surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page.  You can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results for your science fair project.  You may even want to create some graphs or charts from your results.

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We used TestAssured’s 4 Test Kit Set for Schools and Science Fairs to test sparkling mineral water compared to tap water. This set includes 4 test kits and can be used by school students in third grade and above to complete a variety of science projects like this one.

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• Four cups
• Tap water
• 3 different brands of mineral water
• Paper towels

Preparation

To prepare for the tests, you’ll need to gather your water samples.  We used three popular brands of bottled mineral water and tap water for the control.  You’ll need to pour your water samples into cups for the first test.  Now is a good time to label your vials and write your water sources in the results notebook.

Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter.  The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment while your samples are still in cups.  To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter with clean water between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled.  Do this over a sink and be sure to wipe up any spills, so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. Take notes about how clear or cloudy your samples look.  Are there any visible particles floating in any of the samples?  These observations can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. It’s easiest to work with one sample at a time.  Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Record your results in the results notebook

 Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the tests on your four samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Was there any difference in results among the brands of mineral water?
• How did mineral water compare to tap water?
• Did the results show anything could be a health benefit of drinking mineral water?
• What results did you find the most surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page.  You can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results for your science fair project.

The post What’s in Your Mineral Water – A Quick and Easy Experiment appeared first on .

Testing different brands of bottled water is a simple science project that can be completed using  TestAssured’s 4 Test Kit Set for Schools and Science Fairs. This set includes 4 test kits and can be used by school students in third grade and above to complete a variety of science projects like this one.

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• Four cups
• Tap water
• 3 different brands of bottled water
• Paper towels

Preparation

To prepare for the tests, you’ll need to gather your water samples.  We used three popular brands of bottled water and tap water for the control.  You’ll need to pour your water samples into cups for the first test.  Now is a good time to label your vials and write your water sources in the results notebook.

Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter.  The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment while your samples are still in cups.  To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter with clean water between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled.  Do this over a sink and be sure to wipe up any spills, so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. Take notes about how clear or cloudy your samples look.  Are there any visible particles floating in any of the samples?  These observations can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. It’s easiest to work with one sample at a time.  Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Record your results in the results notebook

Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the tests on your four samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Did the tap water contain more contaminants than the bottled water?
• Was there a difference in the results among the assorted brands of bottled water?
• Is it worth paying more for bottled water than tap water?
• What results did you find the most surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page.  You can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results for your science fair project.

The post Are All Bottled Waters Created Equal? – A Simple Science Project appeared first on .

We decided to see how effective this was by conducting a simple experiment.  We used  Test Assured’s 4 Test Kit Set for Schools and Science Fairs to test water samples that had been collected after flushing the pipes for varying amounts of time.  This test set includes 4 test kits and can be used by children in grades three through twelve to perform water tests that can be used for school science experiments.

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• Tap water
• Paper towels

Preparation

Before you start testing, you’ll need to prepare your water samples.  For this experiment, you will create four samples:

1. ½ cup tap water collected immediately after faucet is turned on – this is the control sample
2. ½ cup tap water collected after faucet has been flushed for 1 minute
3. ½ cup tap water collected after faucet has been flushed for 3 minutes
4. ½ cup tap water collected after faucet has been flushed for 5 minutes

Collect your samples in a mug or glass and set aside to complete the TDS test before pouring samples into the vials.

Feel free allow the water to run for any length of time.  You can even use a second testing kit to test more samples.  No matter how long you let the water run, don’t forget to label your vials and write down the corresponding sample information in the results notebook.

Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter.  The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment before transferring your samples to the vials.  To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter with clean water and pat dry between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled.  Fill each vial to within a ¼” of the top.  Be sure to wipe up any spills, so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. You may notice that some of the samples are cloudy or contain particles.  These observations can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Next, record your results in the results notebook

 Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Next, record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

 Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the four tests on your samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Did flushing the pipes change the appearance of any of the samples?
• Did flushing the pipes affect the test results for any of the samples?
• Was there an optimal time to flush the pipes that improved water quality?
• Based on your results, do you think flushing pipes is an effective way to make water safer to drink?
• What results did you find the most surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page.  If you are using this as a science fair project, you can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results.

The post Flushing Pipes – Does it Work? A Simple Science Experiment appeared first on .