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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 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 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 can also be of great help in determining if there is need for carrying out any analysis. Normally the laundry catches stains after washing a clear indication that chlorides, iron, sulfate, and manganese compounds are available. Hardness is indicated by washing waters requiring too much soap to become soapy and easy to wash with. Major compounds responsible for hardness are normally calcium chloride and magnesium chloride.

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.

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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