Technical Specifications

WATER QUALITY TEST KIT
The
PRO-LAB
®
Water Quality Test Kit contains eight (8) individually foil wrapped, laboratory grade test strips (patented),
allowing you to perform two (2) of each test in order to determine the quality of your water.
There are also directions on this page, to check for two (2) additional contaminants, iron bacteria and hydrogen sulfide.
Each test has its own directions. For accurate results, you must follow the directions exactly.
pH is a measure of the acidic or basic character of water. Results below pH of 7 indicate acidity and pH above 7
indicates alkalinity. Water with low pH can be corrosive to plumbing fixtures, hot water systems, and leave red stains on
galvanized pipe, blue-green stains on copper, and may also release harmful amounts of lead into your water from solder
joints and pipes.
Total Alkalinity is the ability of water to resist change in pH. A low total alkalinity may cause your water to appear cloudy
and contribute to scaling. When the total alkalinity is too high the pH tends to be high as well.
Total Chlorine consists of both free chlorine and combined (already reacted) chlorine. Free chlorine affects the taste and
odor of your water and may irritate your skin and eyes. Chlorine is used to disinfect water in both private and Public Water
Systems. However, during the disinfection process, excessive amounts of chlorine may react with decaying organic matter
to form trihalomethanes, which may have adverse health effects when present in high amounts.
Total Hardness is a measure of calcium and magnesium in your water. Hard water over 125 parts per million tends to form
scales inside pipes creating a barrier between lead solder and the water itself thereby helping to prevent lead from entering
into your drinking water. Low hardness, (soft water), less than 54 parts per million, can be corrosive to your plumbing.
Iron is a mineral found in the ground, which can be in your drinking water. Iron is essential to good health, however iron
levels about .3 parts per million can cause brown, orange, or yellow color stains to your plumbing fixtures and laundry.
Iron Bacteria is another form of iron that may be present in your water system. Iron bacteria is commonly found in toilet
flush tanks as a brown, slimy residue. The test for iron bacteria does not require a test strip, to determine if you have a
problem just follow the next two (2) steps:
1. Turn on the hot water only. While the water is on, check the color and odor. If iron bacteria is present, your water will
most likely have a red tint and have a foul sewer odor.
2. Turn on the cold water only. If the waters color or odor changes, there is a good chance that you have an iron bacteria problem.
Copper is a metal, which is commonly found in your drinking water. Small amounts are generally not a problem. However,
copper levels above 1 part per million can cause jaundice, pancreatitis, poisoning of the red blood cells, gastrointestinal
problems and anemia. The presence of copper also affects water’s taste and may stain your porcelain toilets and sinks.
Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrogen is a chemical resulting from fertilizer, sewage (human waste), animal waste and other geological
elements. Concentrations over 10 parts per million for nitrates and 1 part per million for nitrites, can cause a condition
known as “Blue Baby Syndrome”; a poisoning of the blood which reduces the amount of oxygen available to infant children
and also the fetus of pregnant women. It can be fatal.
Hydrogen Sulfide is a gas, that can be detected by its rotten-egg odor. The test for Hydrogen Sulfide does not require a
test strip, to determine if you have a problem just follow the next two (2) steps:
1. Turn on the cold water and immediately check for the rotten-egg odor over a two (2) minute period.
2. Perform the same check on the hot water only.
Results: If you smell the rotten-egg odor on both the hot and cold water, you probably have a hydrogen sulfide problem, if
the odor is only on either the hot or cold water, and not both, then more than likely hydrogen sulfide is not a problem.
pH, TOTAL ALKALINITY, TOTAL CHLORINE,
TOTAL HARDNESS TEST DIRECTIONS
1. Fill a glass with approximately eight (8) fl
ounces of cold/warm (not hot water).
2. Take one pH, Total Alkalinity, Total Chlorine,
Total Hardness test strip and dip it in the
water sample for five (5) seconds with
constant, gentle back-and-forth motion.
3. Remove the test strip from the water sample
and SHAKE ONCE to remove excess water.
Wait an additional twenty (20) seconds and
then match to closest color. Complete color
matching within ten (10) seconds.
IRON TEST DIRECTIONS
1. Fill a glass with approximately four (4) fl ounces of cold/warm
(not hot water).
2. Take one Iron test strip and dip it in the water sample for five
(5) seconds with constant, gentle back-and-forth motion.
3. Remove the test strip from the water sample and match to
closest color at two (2) minutes.
COPPER TEST DIRECTIONS
1. Fill a glass with approximately four (4) fl ounces of cold/warm
(not hot water).
2. Take one Copper test strip and dip it in the water sample for
thirty (30) seconds with constant, gentle back-and-forth motion.
3. Remove the test strip from the water sample and match to
closest color at two (2) minutes.
NITRATE/NITRITE TEST DIRECTIONS
1. Fill a glass with approximately four (4) fl ounces of cold/warm
(not hot water).
2. Take one Nitrate/Nitrite test strip and dip it in the water
sample for two (2) seconds without any motion.
3. Remove the test strip from the water sample, DO NOT
SHAKE, and match to closest color at one (1) minute.