Drinking water testing. How to check the quality of water from a well at home

Anyone can join the project for assessing water quality. To do this, you need to choose some body of water and purchase a test kit.

On the official website dedicated to Monitoring Day (wwmd.org), a standard test suite costs $ 13 plus shipping. You can use your own tools. Further indicators are marked on the map.

Those who do not want to join the international project, but want to check the quality of water in their own home or at the cottage, we will show you how to do it. So, 8 Tips for Quality Controldy ...

1. Check organoleptic properties

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the organoleptic properties of water: color, transparency, smell, taste. Water should be colorless, transparent, without taste and odor. In addition, it should not leave traces after drying, sediment should not appear in it over time, and the kettle should remain clean after boiling water.

2. Measure pH

Or, in another way, an indicator of acidity. If there are more hydrogen ions in the water than hydroxide ions, it is considered acidic (pH<7), если наоборот - щелочной (pH>7).

For drinking water the optimal value is pH \u003d 6-9. To determine the pH, you can use special indicator strips (a drop of water is dripped on them, and then the color is compared with a standard) or a pH meter is a device with two electrodes that are immersed in water. The cost of such a device is from 700 rubles.

3. Find out the hardness of water

This is an indicator of how many salts of calcium and magnesium are dissolved in water. It is useful for a person to drink water of moderate hardness (4-8 mmol / l). With prolonged use of water of strong hardness, the risk of kidney stones is increased.

Water hardness can be checked either with indicator test strips or with a conductometer (TDS meter).

4. Pay attention to the iron content

Drinking water with a high iron content is harmful. Yes, it is usually tasteless - such water has a taste and smell of iron and brown sediment. The normal iron content in drinking water is up to 0.3 mg / l.

You can approximately estimate the iron content in water using color samples. So, a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate in contact with "iron" water becomes brown. There are also special test kits for the rapid determination of iron in water.

5. Important! Chlorine content

6. Measure nitrates and nitrites

Nitrogen compounds enter water, usually with wastewater. Nitrates and nitrites are harmful, their maximum permissible concentration in water is 45 mg / l and 3 mg / l, respectively. To determine the level of nitrates in water, you can use the nitrate test (indicator strips) or nitrate meter.

7. Analysis of microbiological contamination

That is, the number of microorganisms in one milliliter of water. Maximum allowable indicator: the total microbial number is not more than 50. Exceeding this indicator can lead to disease. It is impossible to measure it at home.

8 What to choose? Self-analysis or laboratory ...

There are household kits for express analysis of water quality for several indicators at once. But if you do not want to bother with the test strips, give the water for analysis to the nearest sanitary and epidemiological laboratory. The cost of such an analysis is 1.5-2 thousand rubles.

And let monitoring of water quality become a good tradition for your family as well, no matter how trite it may sound, health depends on water quality.

Source of water on many suburban areas or in country houses there may be wells or boreholes. Despite the fact that some countrymen claim that the water in the well is much better and cleaner than the fluid that flows from the tap in cities, one cannot be 100% sure of the quality and safety well water. Many contaminants may not cause changes in the taste, color and smell of the contents of the source. However, contamination with these substances can be dangerous to human health with regular use of water. That is why after the construction of a new well and periodically during its use, it is worth checking the quality of well water.

Analysis Features

Well water testing is more expensive and time consuming than well content analysis. The thing is that different pollutants can get into the well: components of biological origin, pesticides, surfactants and much more. This is due to the shallow depth of the source. That is why in order to assess the purity of well water, it is necessary to check it for the presence of the following substances:

It is necessary to examine the water and identify the concentration of organic matter, namely lead, mercury, copper and zinc elements.
Be sure to do an analysis of the contents of the well for pesticides.
The concentration of organic substances is detected.
Be sure to do an analysis of water for radionuclides.
The concentration of herbicides is calculated.

Attention: with a small depth of a well or a well (not more than 10 m) it is very important to evaluate the microbiological parameters of the fluid. The thing is that at a shallow depth favorable conditions for the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms are formed.

In addition, the water in the well should be checked for petroleum products, surfactants and fertilizers. These substances can freely enter the hydraulic structure during heavy rainfall and during snowmelt.

Why do we need laboratory water tests?

Well water can be taken to the laboratory for analysis after three weeks of using the new facility. This time will be enough for the pollution that appeared during the construction of the well to subside by itself and the water to be purified. The main purpose of drinking water analyzes from a mine well or well is as follows:

Get data on the quality of the liquid and its composition.
Based on the results, accurate conclusions can be drawn about the suitability of the contents of the hydraulic structure for drinking and domestic use.
Based on the analysis, you can choose the right unit for filtering.

To ensure that the quality of the drinking fluid from the mine well or well corresponds to the standards, it is very important to choose the right filter. Today, there are many varieties of filter units on sale. Moreover, they perform different functions depending on the type of pollutant, and according to the latest data there are about 130 varieties of them. To clean water from a well or well, you can use one of the following filters:

The unit for clarification of liquid. The main active ingredient in the device is coal. It is suitable for turbid water, with an unpleasant taste and smell of the aquatic environment.
There are special devices that allow you to purify water from high iron content.
There are water softeners on sale.
If microbiological pollutants are exceeded, special biofilters are used.

How to check the water in the laboratory?

An analysis of drinking water from a well or a well can be done in any licensed laboratory, for example, you can contact the Rospotrebnadzor. The analysis is done according to the following indicators:

The concentration of hydrogen is calculated. It should be in the range of 6 to 9 pH. If the values \u200b\u200bare higher, then you will need to use a filter.
Determine the total hardness of the liquid. The thing is that too hard water used in everyday life can cause scale formation in units with heating elements.
Mineralization of the aquatic environment should not exceed 1 g / l.
An alkalinity index is also evaluated.
To determine the oxidizability of water, you need to know the concentration of organic substances.
Biochemical oxygen indicator should not exceed 3 mg / l.
To determine the quality of drinking water, a toxicological analysis will be required.

How to collect a water sample for analysis?

To pass the liquid for analysis to the laboratory, you must correctly collect the sample. If this is done with violations, then in water environment other contaminants can get in and distort the test results. To take water samples from a well or well, do the following:

For this you will need a container with a volume of 1.5 liters. Better use glassware or plastic bottle out of the usual unsweetened water. Take bottles of carbonated drinks, beer, wine, etc. prohibited. The thing is that indelible elements remain on the container walls, which can affect the results of analyzes.
If you will not draw water from the well itself, but from the pipeline going from the source, then let the water drain for 15 minutes. During this time, the stagnant liquid in the pipes will run away, and you will draw water from the source.
Rinse the water tank well. Just do not use different detergents. It is better to rinse the bottle several times with water from the source.
If you draw water from a tap, then the pressure should not be strong, because then a lot of oxygen will get into the water. This may cause chemical reactions in containers and inaccurate test results. For the same reason, it is recommended to let the jet gently flow inward along the wall of the bottle.
The container should be filled with water to the top and tighten the lid tightly. It is important that air does not remain in the container, and also does not get inside from the outside.
On the container indicate the date, time, place of sampling, as well as the type of source.
The bottle should be wrapped in a dark bag to protect it from exposure to sunlight, which can cause organics to multiply.
Samples must be delivered to the laboratory within 3 hours after collection. If it is not possible to immediately take the container, then the samples can be stored in the refrigerator for two days.

Attention: containers with samples must not be frozen in the freezer.

Compliance with the rules for collecting samples will allow an accurate analysis of the contents of the intake. This will help in the future to choose the right filtration equipment. However, you should not think that the quality of drinking well water is a constant indicator. Various factors can affect it, so the tests should be repeated regularly.

Check Frequency

Since the water in the well can change composition under the influence of various factors, it is worthwhile to regularly analyze its composition in the laboratory. This is especially important if you use water for drinking.

As a rule, such inspections are carried out once every two years for sources that are used regularly (year-round) and once a year for seasonal wells, for example, in a summer house, this facility can only be used in the warm season. Such a regularity of inspections is due to the fact that water can stagnate at the source of seasonal use, which leads to siltation, bacterial growth and deterioration of the quality of the liquid.

It is important to know: if a road has recently been laid near your well, there are landfills, industrial enterprises or farms, then the frequency of inspections will be much higher. This is due to the fact that the presence of potential pollutants nearby can adversely affect the composition of groundwaterthat easily penetrate the wells.

Self water analysis

If you do not have time to take fluid samples to the laboratory or there is no such facility nearby, then you can do the water analysis yourself. However, it can be used only as a temporary measure and it is not worth fully relying on the results obtained. It’s better to get to the laboratory afterwards.

Conclusions about water quality are made on the basis of such observations:

The muddy contents in the well may be due to the ingress of particles of sand and clay. In this case, it will be necessary to arrange a new bottom filter, since the old one does not cope with its tasks. Also, the cause of cloudy water may be depressurization of the seams. Through them, dirty groundwater enters the structure.
The rusty color of the water and the taste of iron indicates an excess of the content of this element in the composition of water. To deal with the problem, use a special filter.
The rotten smell of the contents of the hydraulic structure indicates an increased content of hydrogen sulfide in it. This substance appears as a result of bacterial activity and decomposition. organic compounds. Usually, the active growth of bacteria is associated with stagnation of water and siltation of the source. The well needs to be cleaned and regularly used.
The smell of petroleum indicates ingestion wastewater into the well. You cannot drink from such a source.

Without water, as you know, there is no life. But drinking water is not the notorious H2O from a school chemistry course. Even distilled water, in addition to the hydrogen – oxygen compound, contains impurities. What can we say about tap water, and even more so about groundwater. The question of whether or not to drink dubious liquid from wells and wells is easily solved. A water sample (~ 1-1.5 L) is submitted for analysis to a certified laboratory and an official document is received with the main quality indicators. But what if there is no such laboratory nearby? Then it remains to independently conduct a water analysis at home.

The quality of drinking water is regulated by GOSTs and SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01. They indicate the requirements for organoleptic properties in terms of:

smell,
smack
color
turbidity.

Organoleptic analysis of water at home - express diagnostics, for which reagents and devices are not required. Water is simply poured into a glass container and its smell / taste is determined. Optimally, if the liquid does not smell anything, without taste (0–1 points). Light odor / taste is allowed (2 points). According to GOST, a score of 3 points or more (water smells clearly) - the liquid is unsuitable for internal use.

Please note: with a pronounced smell, you can not drink water.

The standards of organoleptic indicators are regulated by SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01

The color is due to the content in the water of colored organic substances present in humus; metals; industrial drains. According to SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01, color is allowed no more than 20 degrees. In laboratories, the indicator is determined visually using reagents and a special scale, and / or photometrically. At home, color can be estimated only “by eye” by placing a white sheet over a glass container with water. Light coloring is admissible only for underground waters.

The transparency of water is determined visually. When viewed in the light, the liquid is absolutely transparent - which means you can drink water. Incomplete transparency of groundwater is due to the presence of iron hydroxide. Such water can be drunk after settling. A grayish hue indicates an excess of manganese.

Please note: prolonged use of water with an excess of iron hydroxide is fraught with the development of degenerative processes in organs.

How to do a water analysis at home

Test kits can be purchased at companies that sell filters for water purification, and at pet stores where there are products for aquarists. For a "home laboratory" you need:

The standard set for determining the hydrogen index (acidity) is pH.
Test for determining total stiffness - Gh.
A kit to help establish the content of Fe2 +.
Test for determination of Fe3 + ions.
Tests for nitrates, nitrites, manganese, ammonium, sulfides, fluorides.

Universal kits for water analysis are produced: Rodnik, Borehole, Well, Professional.

The cost of test systems from 275 to 1500 rubles

Import rapid analysis kits give more accurate results

Methodology

The method for measuring pH depends on the kit used.

Option No. 1: the litmus strip is moistened with water and the coloration is compared with the color scale on the package.

Option No. 2: the amount of water required by the instructions is added to the flask with the reagent, shaken. The test strip is moistened with the resulting solution and the color is compared with the attached scale. PH standard according to GOST 6.5–9.

It is not difficult to determine the pH of the liquid: the moistened strip is combined with an identical color on the scale and look at the corresponding value

Determination of total hardness: the required volume of water is measured into a special container. Then the reagent is added dropwise and the bottle is shaken. When the liquid changes color and becomes olive green, the analysis is complete. The number of drops corresponds to the degree of hardness. According to GOST, rigidity up to 7 is permissible (in exceptional cases, up to 10).

Methodology for the identification of Fe2 + and Fe3 +. The required volume of water and the attached reagents are added to the bottle from the kit. The intensity of the color change assesses the amount of ferrous iron. Similarly, ferric iron analysis is performed. There are tests to determine the amount of total iron.

Indicators chemical composition water from wells / wells usually exceeds the norm for the content of iron, manganese, calcium

It's nice to feel like a chemical analyst and check the quality of water without leaving your home. But still it is better and more reliable to order an analysis in the laboratory. The professional opinion is a detailed table of the main indicators of drinking water. Home testing is very rough.