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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Supplies

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

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• Tap water
• Filtered water
• Bleach
• Blender
• 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 for your control
2. ½ cup tap water with one drop of bleach
3. ½ cup tap water boiled for 1 minute and allowed to cool
4. ½ cup filtered water

Samples should be placed in a mug or glass to start the experiment.  You will be completing the TDS test before pouring samples into the vials.

NOTE: Children should be supervised when using the stove and bleach.

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.

Read the TDS meter carefully.  When the composition of the water is drastically changed, it is not unusual to get an extremely high TDS reading.  You’ll notice in the picture that when we measured the total dissolved solids in the water with bleach, the reading was “113 x10.” The arrow is pointing to where you will see the “x10” if you have a high reading like ours.

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. If any of the purification methods changed the appearance of a sample, make a note 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. 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 four tests on your samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Did any of the purification methods change the appearance of the samples?
• Which method altered the water composition most?
• Based on your results, what do you think is the best way to purify water in an emergency situation?
• 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 arrange the test sticks on a page to create a visual comparison of results from the different purification methods.

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