Articles · Topic
Articles about Water Testing
16 articles across 3 sections
Section
Gear and Buying Guides
Bacteria Water Test Kits
Field bacteria test kits for drinking water: what coliform tests detect, their sensitivity limits vs. certified labs, EPA annual testing requirements for private wells, and what to do after a positive result.
Chlorine Residual Test Strips
Chlorine residual test strips for stored water verification: target range of 2–4 ppm, how to read results, when to re-treat, and why pool strips are an adequate and cheaper alternative to drinking-water specific strips.
Lead Water Test Kits
Lead water test kits: EPA action level (15 ppb now, 10 ppb by November 2027), field kit sensitivity limits, why boiling concentrates lead rather than removing it, and when certified lab testing is essential.
pH Test Strips for Drinking Water
pH test strips for drinking water: why pH determines chlorine disinfection effectiveness, the 6.5–7.5 target range where hypochlorous acid dominates, and when to test pH before treating with bleach.
Well Water Test Kits
Private well water testing: EPA minimum annual parameters (bacteria, nitrates, TDS, pH), when to test immediately, field kits vs. certified labs, and how to find free state health department testing.
Aquaponics Equipment: The Definitive Buyer's Handbook
A sourced buyer's handbook for home aquaponics equipment: water pumps versus air pumps, backup air for power outages, heaters, test kits, oxygen meters, starter kits, honest price bands, and electrical safety beside water.
Arsenic Water Test Kits
Arsenic occurs naturally in some groundwater and cannot be detected without testing. The EPA limit is 10 ppb. Field kits, lab options, and what to do if levels are high.
Drinking Water Test Strips (General Multi-Parameter)
Multi-parameter test strips screen for common contaminants in a single dip. What they test for, how accurate they are, and when to use a lab instead.
Emergency Water Safety Field Kits
All-in-one kits that combine water testing and treatment in a single package. Useful for 72-hour bags, not a substitute for dedicated supplies at home.
Lab Mail-In Water Test Kits
Certified lab testing is the most accurate way to know what is in your water. How mail-in kits work, what they cost, and when field strips are not enough.
Nitrate/Nitrite Water Test Strips
Test for nitrate and nitrite in well water. The EPA maximum contaminant level is 10 mg/L. Especially important for households with infants under six months.
Pesticide Water Test Kits
Test for agricultural chemical runoff in well water and collected surface water. What field kits detect, their limits, and when to use a certified lab instead.
Portable Digital Water Quality Meter
Multi-parameter handheld meters measure pH, TDS, conductivity, and temperature in one device. Useful for off-grid water monitoring, not for detecting pathogens or chemicals.
TDS Meter (Total Dissolved Solids)
A TDS meter measures dissolved minerals in water. Useful for monitoring filter performance, not for confirming safety. What it tells you, what it does not, and when to use one.