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Watersafe Chlorine, Hardness & pH Water Quality Analysis Test Kit

Contaminants Tested

pH

A measurement of the degree of how acid or alkaline the water supply is based on a pH scale of 0 - 14. A pH reading of 7.0 is considered neutral and neither acid or alkaline. Numbers below 7.0 are considered acidic, numbers above 7.0 are considered alkaline. Each full number change in the pH scale up or down represents a 10 fold increase in degree of acidity or alkalinity. For example, a pH reading of 4.0 is 10 times more acidic than a reading of 5.0 and 100 times more acidic than a reading of 6.0. There can be many causes for acidic water including acid rain (high carbon dioxide), acid source water from absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and from decaying vegetation and no acid buffering characteristics in the water. Alkaline waters can be caused by unwanted substances such as alkali or ammonia from nitrate fertilizer finding its way into your water and excessive carbonates. pH is a non-mandatory secondary water quality standard and guidelines are provided to assist in managing drinking water for aesthetic considerations such as taste, color and odor as well as for corrosion control.

Aesthetic Effects - Excessive levels of alkalinity can produce a "soda" taste and have a drying effect on the skin because of the tendency to remove normal skin oils. Water that is acidic or very alkaline will tend to be corrosive. This corrosive water will begin to dissolve metals such as lead, copper, brass and zinc in the plumbing lines and carry them in the water to the faucet or water appliance such as washing machines, water heaters and plumbing fixtures.

EPA Recommended Contaminant Level

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) - pH 6.5 to 8.5.

Chlorine

Chlorine is used an an oxidizing agent to change the chemical composition of targeted substances. It is helpful in the removal of Iron, Manganese and Hydrogen Sulfide from water and it is also used to disinfect water and kill microorganisms. Chlorine is added in municipal water treatment and may also be used on a small scale in residential water treatment systems. Chlorine added to the water will first react with Iron, Manganese and Hydrogen Sulfide through the oxidation process and then some of the Chlorine will be neutralized by any organic matter and bacteria present in the water, this is the "Chlorine Demand". The remaining Chlorine present in the water is called "Residual Chlorine". If any Ammonia is present in the water, Residual Chlorine will react with it to form Chloramines. If no Ammonia is present, the remaining Chlorine is called "Free Chlorine". "Total Chlorine" is the combination of the Residual Chlorine that has formed Chloramines and Free Chlorine levels. Today, most municipalities are turning to the application of Chloramine, a compound of chlorine and ammonia, instead of Chlorine products to help reduce the amount of disinfection byproducts. However, this treatment method still leaves "Free" Chlorine present in water.

Health Effects - Chlorine can react with organic matter in the water, such as from vegetation decay, and form disinfection byproducts called Trihalomethanes (THM's). THM's are suspected human carcinogens. Chlorine may also create objectionable taste and odor problems in water. Chlorine can be irritating to the skin upon contact as well as an eye, nose and lung irritant when exposure to the air is encountered. Ingestion of Chlorine can cause stomach discomfort.

Aesthetic Effects - Hardness reduces a soap or detergent's ability to clean and lather by causing the development of insoluble precipitation in water. This is the soap scum seen in the shower, toilets and on tubs as well as whitish scale deposits in pipes, water heaters and coffee makers. Water hardness makes washing clothes, bathing and shampooing more difficult and less effective. More soap will be required in hard water to have the same effectiveness as in soft water. Hardness will also cause scale buildup on water lines and in appliances such as water heaters. It can cause the reduction in water flow through pipes and make heating appliances less effective and more costly to run due to the poor heat transmission through the scale buildup.

Definitions

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) - The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) - Non-mandatory water quality standards for 15 contaminants. EPA does not enforce these "secondary maximum contaminant levels" or "SMCLs." They are established only as guidelines to assist public water systems in managing their drinking water for aesthetic considerations, such as taste, color and odor. These contaminants are not considered to present a risk to human health at the SMCL.

Testing Procedure

Important

• Keep tests out of reach of children and pets. Do not ingest anything from this test kit. Do not drink water sample used for testing. Store and use at room temperature (60-86 F).

• Do not open packets or a vial until you are ready to perform the tests.

• Do not touch test pads.

• Do not use on hot water or water containing bleach detergents.

• Do not re-use any part of the test kit.

• Read and follow all instructions carefully.

Instructions

1. Carefully open pH/ Hardness/ Chlorine Test packet and take out test strip.

2. Immerse the regent pads into the water sample and remove immediately.

3. Hold the strip level for 15 seconds.

4. Match pH, Hardness and Total Chlorine Pads (in that order) with provided color chart in kit.

Results

pH (end pad)

6.0	6.5	7.5	8.5	10

Total Hardness (middle pad)

0 ppm	50 ppm	120 ppm	250 ppm	425 ppm

Total Chlorine (pad nearest handle)

0 ppm	2.0 ppm	4.0 ppm	10 ppm

Specifications

• Detects pH from 6 to 10.

• Detects Total Hardness at 0 to 425 parts per million (ppm).

• Detects Total Chlorine at 0 to 10 parts per million (ppm).

Features

• Easy to use kit provides a convenient way to check your water for the disinfectant chlorine, EPA Secondary Drinking Water Regulation pH and hardness levels.

• Do-it-yourself test strips. Everything needed to perform and analyze the test are included.

• The test is fast and provides you with results right at home in 15 seconds.

• Clear directions, easy methods and top quality non-toxic test ingredients assure you of reliable test results.

• EPA-based, laboratory certified test kit includes:

1 - pH Test

1 - Chlorine Test

1 - Hardness Test

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