Saturday, January 25, 2014

Learn About Water Testing Kits

By Judy Sullivan


Water testing kits are very important appliances that every household should probably have. This kit is used in the testing of various properties to prevent possible poisoning or other health problems especially to pregnant ladies and little babies. They are cheap and easily accessible from shops and stores that stock related products. The low-end models can go for as little as ten 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 should be tested for yearly in wells and other sources include coliform bacteria, nitrates, pH, and total dissolved solids. Others that should be tested for on a yearly basis are arsenic, pesticides, copper, and lead among others. Chlorides, sulfates, manganese, corrosion, hardness, and iron should be tested for after every three years. Failure to have the tests done can cause some very bad effects on people who consume or use such waters.

Coliform is a bacteria that lives in the human intestines. Its presence in stomachs results in serious recurrent intestinal illnesses. Therefore, any kinds of stomach illnesses may be signs that the coliform bacteria has to be analyzed for its presence. In case household plumbing contains traces of lead or if plumbing system was lately replaced, repaired, or installed lead is the material to test for.

Laundry may also be of good help in establishing if there is necessity for carrying out any assessment. Normally the laundry stains after washing, which is a clear sign that iron, sulfate, manganese, and chlorides compounds are present. Hardness is shown by washing waters needing too much soap to get soapy and simple to wash with. Main compounds responsible for the hardness are normally magnesium chloride and calcium chloride.

Other major indicators are colors and odors. The colors may be seen by naked eyes whereas the smells may be noticed using nostrils. Color issues are shown by waters looking unclear, cloudy, or frothy. The smells depend on the form of contaminants that are present at sources. Equipment for treating water that wear out too soon could symbolize that pH is improperly set.

Babies and pregnant women are the most at risk of being affected by pollutants especially nitrates because of many reasons. Wells or tap waters must be tested for nitrates just before the baby is given birth to, after birth, and frequently until six months. Exposure to nitrates causes methemoglobinemia, which is a blood condition that affects hemoglobin in babies. The condition causes oxygen supply in blood to drop to dangerously low levels.

Water testing kits come in a wide variety to suit different environments. They come in different shapes and colors for people to choose according to their needs. Most of them are cheap.




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