How often do you think about the quality of the water you drink, use to bathe, or use on the job? If you work in an industrial, commercial, or medical lab industry then your answer may be quite a bit. The good news is that in recent years there have been products designed and made available to the public, like water quality testing kits, that can help teach people the importance of good water quality. Here are a few things you can test with water quality kits:
1. Water Resistivity Measurement – Did you know that some water is so low in quality that it can actually conduct an electric current? That measurement is known as a water’s conductivity. The opposite of that, or the ability for that water to resist electrical currents, is the water resistivity measurement. High quality water is a not a good electrical conductor and has a water resistivity measurement of 18 megohm-cm. The water resistivity measurement is mainly used when checking for high purity water, but it is a handy test to have around.
2. pH Levels – When testing the pH level of water the number you always want to see is 7. On the pH scale, that shows you how acidic or basic a liquid is, 7 is right in the middle and considered neutral. If your kit shows that your water is acidic, you may want to contact a plumber because the metal ions in that water can cause major plumbing damage. Many cities publish water reports showing the pH level so it is always good to consult that first. However, if your water quality testing kit is showing something drastically different from that water report, you may want to contact the city’s water department.
3. Harmful Outliers – Studies show that 2 million tons of sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural waste are discharged into the world’s water every single day. The good news for you is that some other things that water testing kits can find other are harmful entities like bacteria, pesticides, and lead. Bacteria, as we all know, can cause illness and even death if it is bad enough. Pesticides are often found in the water of farming communities because of the saturation in agricultural use, but if the amounts are high enough, pesticides have been known to increase cancer rates. Cities that have dealt with large amounts of lead in the water have seen issues with neurological and kidney damage.
The water we use on a daily basis to drink, bathe, wash clothes, brush our teeth, and so many other things is vital to our lives. That is why we ought to make sure that it is the highest quality possible. Ask the city you live in to provide a water report to you and if you aren’t pleased with what you see then do your own research. Use a water testing kit to check the water resistivity measurement, pH level, and search for any harmful outliers. You may be surprised at the results!