Learn About Water Testing Kits

By Judy Sullivan


Water testing kits are very crucial appliances that all households should probably own. These kits are utilized in testing different properties to avoid poisoning or other health/medical problems particularly to babies and pregnant ladies. They are low-cost and simply available from stores that stock related items. The low-end versions can be got for as low as ten US Dollars.

Public water suppliers are needed by most government authorities to have their waters tested for various pollutants and test results provided to customers annually. Private supplies however are primarily the responsibility of property owners and there are no rules that require individuals to have their wells assessed. Even with no rules demanding for assessment of private water sources, an individual must take the initiative to make sure that it is performed at least ones yearly or unless there is some pressing emergency for doing more than ones.

Materials that have to be tested for their presence in wells annually include total dissolved solids, nitrates, coliform bacteria, and the pH. Others that must get tested for annually are pesticides, lead, copper, and arsenic among others. Manganese, corrosion, chlorides, iron, sulfates, and hardness should be assessed against ones in three years. Failing to test can result into some very terrible effects on individuals who use and/or consume such waters.

Coliform refers to a bacteria that resides in the human intestine. Its presence inside stomachs results into serious recurrent intestinal diseases. Therefore, any types of stomach ailments may be indicators that coliform bacteria should be assessed for its presence. If residential plumbing has traces of lead or in case plumbing system was repaired, installed, or replaced recently, lead is the stuff 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 major indicators are odor and color. The color can be observed by the naked eye while the smell can be smelled using the nose. Color problems are indicated by the waters appearing frothy, cloudy, or not clear. The odor depends on the type of contaminant that is present at the source. Treatment equipment that wear off so fast could indicate that the pH is not set at the right value.

Pregnant women and babies are the most susceptible for getting affected by contaminants particularly nitrates because of multiple reasons.Tap or well waters should be assessed for nitrates before babies are delivered, after delivery, and regularly until 6 months. If babies are exposed to nitrates, they cause methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder which affects hemoglobin. This disorder causes lowers the supply of oxygen in the blood 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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