Tap Water

Tap water is the most readily available plant water, but how does it affect growth?  That depends on what your water contains.  Whether you are watering outside with a hose, or indoors from a watering can, if your water comes from a municipal source, it may not be your best option.  Some of the chemical and mineral impurities such as fluoride, salts, and chlorine which are added for human benefit are not healthy for plants.  Even if your water is from a well, it may contain excess minerals and heavy metals that could impact plant life.  While some plants can thrive despite these additives and impurities, they are not conducive to strong growth.

Regardless of the potential impurities of tap water, it is often the most economical option for watering plants.  There are certain steps you can take to reduce the harm tap water can cause.  Let the water sit in an open container for at least 24 hours prior to using it so harmful chemicals such as chlorine can evaporate. This will also allow the water to reach room temperature which will prevent shocking the plants with water that is too hot or too cold.

Rain Water

If you have an outdoor garden, rainwater is an acceptable choice for watering plants. There are a variety of options for collecting rainwater, from barrels to buckets.  Some of the specialized rain barrels allow you to connect a hose to make outdoor watering even easier.  Using buckets is an effective way to collect rainwater to refresh your indoor plants.

Rainwater is beneficial for plants because it is slightly acidic. This helps to keep soil pH at an optimal level for healthy plants between 5.5 and 6.5. It typically contains fewer minerals, making it softer than tap water.  As raindrops travel, they absorb particles from the atmosphere.  These particles offer extra nutrients for the soil that would not be found in tap water.

Distilled Water

Distilled water for plants is sometimes recommended due to its purity.  The process of distillation removes many of the harmful chemicals and other impurities that can stunt plant growth. If you have hard water or a water softener, you may want to consider investing in a home distiller.  Hard water contains harmful minerals that build up in the soil over time and do not get washed away even if the water source is changed.  Soft water contains salts that damage plants.  A home distiller is a cost-effective way to filter out these impurities, creating better water for plants.

Filtered Water

Some gardeners prefer filtered plant water.  A water filtration system works to remove impurities that could be harmful both to humans and plants.  This purified water is much easier for plants to absorb than water filled with impurities and contaminants.  While any type of filtration system is better than water straight from the tap, the Water Quality Association recommends that reverse osmosis is the best type of filtration for watering house plants.

Softened Water

People who have hard water often turn to water softeners to prevent mineral buildup.  Water softeners work by adding sodium carbonate or potassium to the water.  Unfortunately, this excess sodium concentration is not good for plants. Plants do not tolerate sodium, especially at the levels present in softened water.  The high levels of salt can affect the balance of plants, causing them to take in less water than they need to survive.  Eventually, plants that have been watered with soft water will die of thirst.  Additionally, the excess salt will remain in the soil creating an inhospitable environment for future plants.

Additives

While some of the plant water choices are better than others, it seems that all of them have nutritional gaps.  There are a number of additives available to improve the nutrient content of your water.  While many people suggest simply adding sugar or salt to water for faster growth, these will actually hinder growth and could cause root rot.  The best additives to use are those that are specially formulated to stimulate growth in plants.

Testing

If you still aren’t sure which is the best water for plants, testing your water might help you decide. TestAssured offers testing kits that help you evaluate the contents of your water.

They also have a three-in-one soil meter that will show you how your water choice is affecting the soil, which is another critical element in healthy plant growth.  Testing different kinds of water and soil conditions will help you understand what it takes to grow a lush, productive garden.

The post What’s the Best Plant Water? appeared first on .

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.

The post Is it Safe to Drink Pool Water? – A Science Experiment for Kids appeared first on .

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 .