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WaterWorks Water 9 Way Quality Analysis Test Kit

Contaminants Tested

Nitrates/Nitrites

Nitrates and nitrites are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units which combine with various organic and inorganic compounds. Once taken into the body, nitrates are converted into nitrites. The greatest use of nitrates is as a fertilizer. Most nitrogenous materials in natural waters tend to be converted to nitrate, so all sources of combined nitrogen, particularly organic nitrogen and ammonia, should be considered as potential nitrate sources. Primary sources of organic nitrates include human sewage and livestock manure, especially from feedlots. The primary inorganic nitrates which may contaminate drinking water are potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate both of which are widely used as fertilizers. According to the US EPA Toxics Release Inventory, releases to water and land totaled over 112 million pounds from 1991 through 1993. Since they are very soluble and do not bind to soils, nitrates have a high potential to migrate to ground water. Because they do not evaporate, nitrates/nitrites are likely to remain in water until consumed by plants or other organisms.

Health Effects - Excessive levels of nitrate above the maximum contaminant level in drinking water has caused serious illness and sometimes death from short term exposure. The serious illness in infants is due to the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by the body, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the child's blood. This can be an acute condition in which health deteriorates rapidly over a period of days. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. Long-term exposure to excessive levels of Nitrates and Nitrites have the potential to cause diuresis, increased starchy deposits and hemorrhaging of the spleen.

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 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 Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. This is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to control this contaminant should it occur in drinking water at their customer's home taps. MCLs are enforceable standards.

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.

pH and Total Alkalinity Instructions

1. Dip one test strip into water sample for 10 seconds without any motion.

2. Remove and match color for pH and Total Alkalinity in this order with provided color chart in the kit within 15 seconds.

3. Complete color matching within 30 seconds.

pH

6.0	6.5	7.0	7.5	8.0	8.5	11

Total Alkalinity

0 ppm	40 ppm	80 ppm	120 ppm	180 ppm	240 ppm	720ppm

Total Hardness Instructions

1. Dip one test strip into water sample for 3 seconds.

2. Remove and match color for Total Hardness with provided color chart in kit.

3. Complete color matching within 60 seconds.

Total Hardness

0 ppm	50 ppm	120 ppm	180 ppm	250 ppm	425 ppm

Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrogen Instructions

1. Dip one test strip into water sample for 2 seconds.

2. Remove, wait 1 minute, then match colors for Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrogen with provided color chart in kit.

3. Colors are stable for 1 minute.

Total Nitrate / Nitrite

0 ppm	0.5 ppm	5 ppm	10 ppm	20 ppm

Nitrite

0.15 ppm	0.3 ppm	1.0 ppm	3 ppm	10 ppm

Free and Total Chlorine Instructions

1. Dip one test strip into water sample with constant, gentle back-and-forth motion for 10 seconds.

2. Remove, shake once briskly, wait 15 seconds.

3. Match color for Free Chlorine and Total Chlorine with provided color chart in kit.

Free Chlorine

0.0 ppm	0.1 ppm	0.2 ppm	0.5 ppm	1 ppm	2.5 ppm	5 ppm

Total Chlorine

0.0 ppm	0.1 ppm	0.2 ppm	0.5 ppm	1.0 ppm	2.5 ppm	5 ppm

Iron Instructions

1. Dip one test strip into a 8oz. water sample for 5 seconds with a constant, gentle back-and-forth motion.

2. Remove the strip and shake once, briskly, to remove excess water.

3. Wait 15 seconds then view through the aperture to match with closest color with provided color chart in kit.

4. Complete color matching within 15 seconds.

Iron

0.0 ppm	0.05 ppm	0.1 ppm	0.3 ppm	1.0 ppm

Copper Instructions

1. Dip one test strip into a 8oz. water sample for 15 seconds with a constant, gentle back-and-forth motion.

2. Remove the strip and shake once, briskly, to remove excess water.

3. Wait 30 seconds then view through the aperture to match with closest color with provided color chart in kit.

4. Complete color matching within 15 seconds.

Copper

0.0 ppm	0.1 ppm	0.5 ppm	1.0 ppm	2.0 ppm

Specifications

Test	Sensitivity	Test Range	Result Time
Iron	0.1 ppm	0 to 1 ppm	15 seconds
Copper	0.5 ppm	0 to 2 ppm	30 seconds
Nitrate	2.0 ppm	0 to 20 ppm	1 minute
Nitrite	0.2 ppm	0.15 to 10 ppm	1 minute
pH	1.0	6 to 11	10 seconds
Total Alkalinity	40 ppm	0 to 720 ppm	10 seconds
Total Chlorine	0.2 ppm	0 to 5 ppm	15 seconds
Total Hardness	50 ppm	0 to 425 ppm	3 seconds
Free Chlorine	0.05 ppm	0 to 5 ppm	15 seconds

Features

• Easy to use kit provides a convenient way to check your water for 9 contaminants.

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

• The tests are fast and provide you with results right at home in seconds.

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

• Two of each test allows you to perform the tests over time to monitor changes in water quality.

• EPA-based, laboratory certified test kit includes:

2 - Nitrate Tests

2 - Nitrite Tests

2 - Iron Tests

2 - Copper Tests

2 - Total Hardness Tests

2 - Free Chlorine Tests

2 - Total Chlorine Tests

2 - pH Tests

2 - Total Alkalinity Tests

ITS WaterWorks 9 Way Water Analysis Test Kit

Price: $9.45

Quantity:

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