https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/ Fri, 16 Apr 2021 07:44:58 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cropped-273642-200-32x32.png https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/ 32 32 Impacts of Increased Salinity in Drinking Water https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/salinity-in-drinking-water/ Fri, 16 Apr 2021 07:43:03 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=18829 Rising salinity in drinking water, surface and groundwater present a great risk to crop yield, public health, and the quality of drinking water. The goodness of water does not reach the public who must instead wear the increased cost for making water potable and providing proper treatment for wastewater disposal. How Does Salt Enter Our Waterways? Freshwater flows between rocks Continue Reading

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Rising salinity in drinking water, surface and groundwater present a great risk to crop yield, public health, and the quality of drinking water. The goodness of water does not reach the public who must instead wear the increased cost for making water potable and providing proper treatment for wastewater disposal.

Salinity in Drinking Water

Salinity in Drinking Water

How Does Salt Enter Our Waterways?

Freshwater flows between rocks comprising soluble minerals, collecting salts from them along the way and become salty despite being at great distances from oceans. These salts seep into the surface due to wrongful use of land, irrigation, and industrial uses. Water that has salt content in the range of 10,000 ppm to 35,000 ppm are classified as highly saline by geological surveys done.

What are the Impacts of Highly Saline Water?

Health Impacts

Ingestion of excessive salts through water can put a greater load on the kidney impairing its working order and sometimes causing total kidney failure. Ineffective kidneys lead to heart and high blood pressure problems.

Economic Impacts of Salinity in Drinking Water

The high salt content in water used for irrigation leads to soil damage. This takes its toll on crop yields, damages the infrastructure and turns vast stretches of productive farmland into non-arable land.

Farmers need to adopt several measures to counter these adverse effects like planting trees, harvesting crops that are salt-tolerant, ploughing deeper into the soil, digging drains surrounding the salt impacted areas, mixing topsoil with residues of harvested plants etc.

Environmental Impacts

Salty water increases the concentration of chloride ions in plants resulting in plant poisoning and its eventual death. Plant growth is restricted because of dehydration and interference with nitrogen uptake. Soil is contaminated by the salty waters and the degradation that follows leads to soil erosion.

High amounts of salt in freshwater adversely affects the life of the plant and aquatic species. Salinity stimulates the buildup of suspended particles into bigger lumps leading to infiltration of excessive quantities of sunlight. This could sear native plant life and promote mushrooming of highly competitive or poisonous algae.

The United Nations University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health has stated that highly salty soils are responsible for aggravating the global warming issue by encouraging emissions of additional greenhouse gases.

How Saline is Can Get & Why is it So?

Australia has large amounts of salt content in its water owing to its dry weather. Salt deposits formed during the transpiration or evaporation process fail to be rinsed away due to the absence of rain. Besides, the imbibing of salts from mineral-based underground rocks by the groundwater, intrusion of seawater and usage of water softeners add to the worsening quality of water.

Water softeners are used to tackle issues of hard water. However, in the bargain water softeners contaminate leach fields and sewers by emission of highly salty waste fluids.

Another reason for high salinity in waters is the excessive pumping of groundwater. This causes seawaters to intrude into freshwater aquifers thereby contaminating them. Injection wells and subsurface barriers are being developed to reduce the saltwater seepage into the groundwater; however, these do not offer a permanent solution to the problem.

Statistics Present a Scary Picture

As per the numbers given by the State Water Resources Control Board, loss of agricultural acreage due to salt deposition is 250,000 acres while 1.5 million acres stand impaired due to high salinity levels. Unless swift action is taken, the Board stated that economic costs directly impacting the Valley would stand at a figure of $1.5 billion-plus annually by 2030.

Steps to Be Taken

The focus of assuring salinity in drinking water is at a safe level, ensure balanced loading of salt and nitrate and developing a managed aquifer restoration plan for restoration of supplies of drinking water wherever possible.

For more information on how to test your water for salinity, try the Salinity Water Tester.

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How to Deal with Lead in House Paint? https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/lead-in-house-paint/ Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:33:50 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=18822 Consumption of lead in any form or through any mode is toxic to the health of all individuals more so in the case of pregnant women, unborn babies and kids who are exposed to greater risk. Ingestion of small quantities of the toxic substance over a period leads to its accumulation in the body can cause harm. One of the Continue Reading

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Consumption of lead in any form or through any mode is toxic to the health of all individuals more so in the case of pregnant women, unborn babies and kids who are exposed to greater risk. Ingestion of small quantities of the toxic substance over a period leads to its accumulation in the body can cause harm.

One of the ways lead can enter the body is through house painting. This may seem surprising though houses painted prior to the ’70s in Australia were loaded with lead. Dust chips or particles normally produced during minor house repairs can affect the health of homeowners.

When does lead in house paint prove hazardous?

Areas coated with lead-based paints that offer maximum exposure to the toxic substance include window frames, skirting boards, doors, washroom and kitchen cabinets, metal surfaces, gutters and walls on the exterior of the house. If ceilings and walls in the interior have a coat of red and pink primer, then they too can prove harmful if they are disturbed. Lead-based paint can seep into the garden soil of old homes and contaminate them.

Lead in the paint can pose a danger if the condition of the paint is deteriorating or if the surface is disturbed during a home repair or renovation project. Flaked or chalked paint can become a high-risk area.

Using techniques of dry sanding, blasting, dry scraping, burning or power tools for paint removal can create a health hazard due to the possibility of the dust particles getting inhaled or settling into the carpet or furnishing making its removal difficult.

How does lead in house paint put your family at risk?

  • Paint on railings is within the reach of children and the lead in it can prove harmful if the child unknowingly chews on it.
  • Lead can be ingested by toddlers handling dust-laden toys containing lead, rubbing hands along chalked or flaked walls and inadvertently putting them into their mouth or through contaminated soil.
  • Pets can ingest paint dust or paint chips.

What safety precautions should be taken?

  • Getting blood tests done to clear doubts on the possibility of lead consumption or contamination.
  • Taking due care while undertaking home renovations and repairs and consideration of recommended handling and removal guidelines.

In this context, it is essential to refer to guidelines defined in the booklet ‘Lead Alert- The Six-Step Guide to Painting Your Home’ brought out by the Department of Environment.

The booklet provides pointers on some dos and don’ts’s.

Do’s & Don’ts given in the booklet

Do’s- Include using:

  • Right mode of testing for lead-based paint
  • Correct equipment and tools
  • Correct processes for stripping/removal/covering the paint
  • Right protective gear including a respirator as required under the Australian Standard 1716 if the work leads to generation of lead-laden dust or fumes
  • Correct process for cleaning up meticulously
  • Correct process for waste disposal

Don’t’s – Include avoid-

  • Working on windy and wet days
  • Letting kids, pregnant/nursing women in the vicinity
  • Using heat gun with high temperature or open flame torch
  • Using dry sanding, dry scraping, sandblasting or regular power sander
  • Smoking, eating or drinking with contaminated hands in the area of work

Even if professional help is sought the booklet provides good guidance when any work related to lead-based paint has to be done.

What are the steps undertaken by the Government?

  • Reduction in Permissible Quantities of Lead Over the Years

The permissible quantities of lead in paints have reduced over the years from 50% prior to 1965 to 1% in 1965. This dropped drastically to 0.25% in 1992 followed by a further reduction in 1997to about 0.1%.

  • Introducing regulations on lead-laden waste disposal
  • Increasing awareness among professionals and home renovators about health hazards posed by lead-based paints
  • Offering safety guidelines in this context

For more information on testing your paint, view our Paint Lead Test Kit or consult with your local city council.

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How To Use TDS Water Testers https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/how-to-use-tds-water-testers/ Sun, 05 Apr 2020 04:40:54 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=17568 How To Use TDS Water Testers | TDS water testers provide you with the tools required to detect the total amount of dissolved solids in water. Dissolved solids can include minerals, salts, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, sulfates and other organic matter. TDS testers will not provide you with a reading on what chemicals or contaminants are found in Continue Reading

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How To Use TDS Water Testers

How To Use TDS Water Testers

How To Use TDS Water Testers | TDS water testers provide you with the tools required to detect the total amount of dissolved solids in water. Dissolved solids can include minerals, salts, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, sulfates and other organic matter. TDS testers will not provide you with a reading on what chemicals or contaminants are found in water.

How TDS Water Testers Work

Dissolved solids in water have an electrical charge. When activated a TDS water tester can measure the electrical charge in water and provide you with a reading. The tester does this by emitting an electrical charge through the water which is captured and then converted into a TDS reading.

Total Dissolved Solid Levels

The dissolved solids found in water does not necessarily mean the water is unsafe but it does provided you with an indication of further testing is required or not.

  • High Levels of Dissolved Solids: Can be caused by hard water which is caused by  high mineral content and this can cause the water to taste or smell off.
  • Medium/Low Levels of Dissolved Solids: Typically a result of water purification.
  • Extremely Low Levels of Dissolved Solids: Could be problematic as it can be associated with corrosion and impact pH levels making the water acidic and corrosive.

Total dissolved solid levels will vary depending on the type of water being tested, area of the country you are in and source that the water was taken from.

Dissolved Solids In Drinking Water

Dissolved solids that are found in water can come from natural sources such as water seeping through soil and collecting solids along the way. Other dissolved solids can come from plumbing, pipes, rain collection, sewage and chemical run off from farms or industrial areas.

Using TDS Water Testers

TDS Water Testers can be used to test almost any type of liquid including drinking water, dam, well and pond water, aquariums, swimming pools, spas, saunas and hydroponics.

The TDS water tester is a small battery operated pen looking device that has several metal probes which are dipped into a water sample. To perform your test simply prepare water to be tested at room temperature. Remove the cap from the TDS meter, turn it on and dip the metal probes in water for a few seconds and note down the results. When done dry the metal probes and replace the cap.

If testing many sources of water, ensure that you clean the probes before testing other sources, once done and you have noted down the results compare with the chart below.

Total Dissolved Solids Results Chart
Rating
0 - 50 Pure
10-100 Good
100-300 Fair
300-600 Poor
600-1000 Unacceptable

TDS levels will vary from one source to the next. If you feel that the rest results are not accurate due to getting an excellent reading but find that the water is discouraged or tastes bad, test your water several times a day for a few weeks as the water quality can vary depending on the conditions of your water source.

What Can You Do About Fair to Unacceptable TDS Results

High TDS results means that there may be contaminants in your water that could be effecting your waters taste, appearance or smell. The best solutions can include the following.

  • Purchase a water testing kit to see if you can determine the contaminant type.
  • Send a sample of your water to a testing laboratory to be tested.
  • Ask a plumber or water specialist to inspect your water source to see if they can detect any reason for contamination.
  • Install a water filtration system, these can include faucet water filters, under sink filters or whole house water filters.

Conclusion

TDS water testers provide you with the tools required to detect the total amount of dissolved solids in water. Dissolved solids can include minerals, salts, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, sulfates and other organic matter. The higher the reading, the poorer your water quality. Click on the following link for more information on the Mi TDS Water Tester.

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E coli Test Kits: Testing for E.Coli Bacterium in Drinking Water https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/e-coli-test-kits-testing-for-e-coli-bacterium-in-drinking-water/ Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:00:47 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=12345 There has been an alarming increase in the demand for E coli test kits in developed countries including Australia. This sparks a major concern with local authorities due to poor water quality in regional areas. Queenslanders asked to boil all water before using for drinking purposes. E coli Test Kits: Testing for E.Coli Bacterium in Drinking Water E coli test Continue Reading

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There has been an alarming increase in the demand for E coli test kits in developed countries including Australia. This sparks a major concern with local authorities due to poor water quality in regional areas. Queenslanders asked to boil all water before using for drinking purposes.

E coli Water Test Kits

E coli Water Test Kits

E coli Test Kits: Testing for E.Coli Bacterium in Drinking Water

E coli test kits help to determine the level of Escherichia coli in drinking water.

E coli contaminated water is a cause of many deadly diseases around the world.  One of the many reasons for contamination is the presence of certain microbes like the E coli O157:H7. When the level of this microbe exceeds the permissible level, they lead to afflictions like gastrointestinal illness or infections of eye, ear, skin, respiratory or neurologic infections.

What is E.coli

E coli stands for Escherichia coli and is normally found in the digestive system of animals and humans. A few strains of this bacteria are harmful and if found in drinking water then it signals that the water is contaminated with animal or sewage waste. At certain times, this microbe may be carried into rivers, creeks, lakes, streams or groundwater. If such water is used for public water distribution systems without being treated adequately then it can cause harm to humans.

What are the reasons for the occurrence of E coli in drinking water?

In most cases, drinking water gets contaminated with E coli during the occurrence of natural disaster of some kind like an earthquake, hurricane or a flood. It is therefore common to hear advisory warnings from local authorities for boiling drinking water after such events have taken place.

Impact of E coli on health of the individual

If the harmful strain of this bacterium enters the drinking water, then it can lead to serious health consequences. Incidences of abdominal cramps, diarrhea with or without blood are noticed during the infection caused by this microbe. Young kids (kids less than five years) and elderly who have a weak immune system are impacted more severely by the infection. Around 2%-7% of infections in this group lead to development of a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome. This condition leads to destruction of red blood cells and kidney failure. A very serious condition requiring kidney dialysis and blood transfusions, the hemolytic uremic syndrome can even cause death of the affected individual.

How do you test for E coli contamination?

There are several options which help to determine if your water is contaminated with E coli bacterium. You can choose a professional laboratory which will do the analysis for you after you send them a sample of the potentially contaminated water. Another alternative is to go for the E coli test kits. These are do-it-yourself kits which are cost effective and are termed as ’Bacteria in water test’. The E coli test kits provides you with results in a lesser number of days. You need to follow the instructions properly as given in the instruction manual. If your test turns positive for E coli presence, then the relevant authorities must be notified within 24 hours.

On a concluding note

E coli O157:H7 is a bacterium strain that causes millions of people to get sick every year. This microbe is responsible for triggering severe food poisoning in humans. Considering the grave impact E coli infection has on human health it is extremely essential for you to test waters for its presence even if you have a slightest doubt. E coli test kits are highly useful in this context.

Queensland drinking water crisis: 'Bottled water only, until further notice'

 

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How Does Lead Exposure thru Drinking Water Affect Your Body? https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/how-does-lead-exposure-thru-drinking-water-affect-your-body/ Thu, 28 Nov 2019 04:39:53 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=12336 How Does Lead Exposure thru Drinking Water Affect Your Body? Government regulations with regard to drinking water require the ascertainment of contaminants and their maximum levels that can remain in drinking water without causing any harm to the health of the individual consuming it. The prevailing levels should be such that a sufficient safety margin is maintained with regard to Continue Reading

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How Does Lead Exposure thru Drinking Water Affect Your Body? Government regulations with regard to drinking water require the ascertainment of contaminants and their maximum levels that can remain in drinking water without causing any harm to the health of the individual consuming it. The prevailing levels should be such that a sufficient safety margin is maintained with regard to any possible health risks that can occur. The maximum permissible level for lead as decided by regulatory bodies in drinking water is nil.

How Does Lead Exposure Affect Your Body?

How Does Lead Exposure Affect Your Body?

What is the Safe Level of Lead Content in Drinking Water?

High toxicity of the metal has set the contaminant level target for lead as zero as far as drinking water is concerned. No safe level for lead content in drinking water exists as even small levels of the metal presence can cause grave harm to humans as well as animals. Bio-accumulation of lead can occur in the human body and affect adults, children and pregnant women to varying degrees.

Who is More Susceptible to Lead Contamination?

Infants, fetuses and young kids are at greater risk to the ill-effects of lead as even low level exposure to the metal has a grave impact on them. A small dose of lead quantity may not affect the adult as much as it would significantly affect a young kid and even more significantly an infant.It has been estimated by regulatory bodies that about 20% of lead exposure of an individual comes from drinking water.

Effect of Lead Exposure on Varied Individual Age-Groups

Young children who are exposed to low lead quantities through drinking water too face grave health problems. It leads to learning disabilities, diminished hearing, stature challenges, damaged peripheral and central nervous system and weakened functioning and formation of blood cells. In very acute cases it can lead to coma, seizures or even death.

Lead accumulated in the body gets stored along with calcium in bones. In a pregnant woman this lead is discharged as maternal calcium to go towards the formation of the fetus bones. This is more prevalent if the woman gets insufficient calcium from her dietary intake. Sometimes, the placental barrier can be crossed over by the metal exposing its harmful effects on the fetus. This can cause harm to the mother-to-be as well as her growing fetus. Some of the ill effects include abnormal growth of the fetus or premature birth.

The ill effects of lead are seen on adults too. Exposure to lead can affect adults resulting in cardiovascular diseases like hyper tension, reduced functioning of kidneys or reproductive problems in males and females.

Does Lead Content in Shower Water Affect Individuals?

Lead contained in shower water does not cause any harm to adults and kids alike. Lead in water cannot be absorbed by the human skin and so it is okay to shower under water contaminated with some quantities of lead. However, if the water is extremely corrosive then additional guidelines will need to be followed.

The best source to provide you with all relevant information like assessment and detection of lead in drinking water will be assess the quality of your water with a Lead Water Test Kit or contact your local water authority. You can take remedial steps based on the results or conclusions of the assessment.

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What does the Presence of Green Bath Water Mean? https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/what-does-the-presence-of-green-bath-water-mean/ Thu, 07 Nov 2019 05:02:32 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=11307 What does the Presence of Green Bath Water Mean? If your bath water is tinted green or blue or your plumbing fixtures have blue or green stains around it's an indication of excessive copper levels in your bath water. And this has to be tackled immediately as absorption of more than the required levels of copper in your body either Continue Reading

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What does the Presence of Green Bath Water Mean? If your bath water is tinted green or blue or your plumbing fixtures have blue or green stains around it's an indication of excessive copper levels in your bath water. And this has to be tackled immediately as absorption of more than the required levels of copper in your body either through the skin, ingestion or inhalation can be quite harmful.

Green Bath Water

Green Bath Water

How Does Copper Get into Household Water?

Copper gets into household water largely due to corrosion of plumbing pipes made of copper. The corrosion activity causes copper to dissolve into water lending it its greenish/bluish tint. Corrosion can occur due to natural wear and tear of copper plumbing systems or it can also be hastened because of the water’s pH imbalance, greater concentration of organisms or other chemicals in it, more water turbulence or presence of sediment, sand or grit that scrapes against the pipes.

If you want to know whether your copper pipes are corroded then the best way to do it is to physically examine them. If they are brown or reddish in color then will be corroded. However, if you don’t have copper pipes and yet your bath water has the greenish or bluish tinge then it is better to ascertain the cause of the problem by contacting a plumber.

How to ascertain if Copper Quantities are more than the Required Levels?

The changed color of water gives a hint of excessive quantities of copper present in it. Excessive corrosion can cause pinhole leaks in the piping system indicating the presence of excess copper levels. However, the best way for ascertaining copper levels in water is to use a copper testing kit that provides you with accurate results within minutes. Copper levels of more than 1.3 mg per liter needs to be dealt with and this may also entail the installation of a updated pipes or plumbing fixtures. In any case a professional plumber will be the best person to guide you in this context.

Home-based Solutions for Handling Excessive Copper Quantities

Water that is left standing in the corroded plumbing pipes for long time periods contain higher copper quantities dissolved in it. One of the ways to tackle this is to allow the first surge of water to flow without using it. This should be done for at least 15 seconds. Each faucet will need to be flushed separately before using its water. This leads to reduced copper quantities in the following water flows.

Some other methods of water treatment include ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis, ion exchange or distillation. However, these methods have to be used individually for each faucet

However, tackling the root cause of corrosion which could be any of the above mentioned reasons is necessary. Water Testing kits will enable you to conduct an effective water analysis. The health department in your local area will be able to help you in this regard.

Green/Blue Bath Water Summary

There are several reasons for presence of pollutants in waters meant for household use.  Action has to be taken depending upon the type and cause of the pollutants.

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Health Impact of Chromium in Drinking Water https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/health-impact-of-chromium-in-drinking-water/ Thu, 31 Oct 2019 23:36:14 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=11001 Chromium in Drinking Water | Chromium largely occurs in the form of chromium-6 and chromium-3 in the environment’s natural waters. Chromium-3 or trivalent chromium is a required human nutrient whereas chromium-6 or hexavalent chromium is toxic in nature. How does Chromium Enter Drinking Waters Chromium comes into natural waters through the wearing down of chromium deposits occurring in soil and Continue Reading

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Chromium in Drinking Water | Chromium largely occurs in the form of chromium-6 and chromium-3 in the environment’s natural waters. Chromium-3 or trivalent chromium is a required human nutrient whereas chromium-6 or hexavalent chromium is toxic in nature.

Chromium in Drinking Water

Chromium in Drinking Water

How does Chromium Enter Drinking Waters

Chromium comes into natural waters through the wearing down of chromium deposits occurring in soil and rocks. But this occurs in trace quantities. The main culprit for discharge of chromium in drinking waters is the varied industries. The metal industry which uses chromium discharges largely the non-toxic chromium-3 form whereas the toxic Chromium-6 enters into industrial wastewaters as an effluent of painting and tanning industries. This seeps into drinking waters due to incorrect or inadequate disposal systems.Therefore, people living close to chromium processing or manufacturing plants stand a greater exposure risk.

What are Health Hazards of Chromium?

Chromium-3 as mentioned above is a required nutrient for varied organisms. Any harm caused due to presence of chromium-3 in drinking waters is a highly unlikely occurrence. In fact, it plays a significant role in metabolizing fats in human body and along with insulin it eliminates glucose from blood.

Chromium-6 is toxic to both fauna and flora and its health impact is varied. Chromium-6 is carcinogenic and some of the adverse health impacts caused by it include nasal ulcers, asthma attacks, anemia, dermal burns, and liver and kidney failures. However, exposure to chromium-6 largely occurs due to inhalation and less due to water pollution.Nevertheless,health disasters apparently caused due to presence of chromium-6 in river waters earlier have been reported. The reason for this happening probably could be inadequate waste water treatment systems.

Safety Levels for Chromium Content in Drinking Waters

Chromium is currently regulated in drinking waters as total chromium and includes levels of both forms of chromium. However, the correctness of centering the standard on the joint levels of chromium is a question of debate. Chromium-6 is the most toxic form of chromium and hence to guarantee that maximum risk is addressed, the EPA has set the safety standards considering a 100% presence of this form. Presently, safe drinking water standards for total chromium as set by the EPA stand at 0.1 mg per liter. These safety levels are re-assessed by the EPA over regular periods.If chromium-6 levels are exceeded in drinking water supply then it is essential for the relevant authorities to notify the consumers.

However, this is done for public water systems. If a household’s source of water supply comes from a private well then it is the well owners’ responsibility to conduct the necessary tests for the well water and follow it up with the required treatment.

Water Purification Technologies for Removal of Chromium Contamination

Chromium quantities are normally not present in considerable amounts in surface and ground water. Active carbon and ion exchangers can be used for removal of chromium from drinking waters, if required. Better still, using protective safeguards such as effective waste water treatment systems by industrial setups is of vital importance for preventing its harmful impact on the environment.

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Maintaining Water Quality in Rainwater Tanks https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/maintaining-water-quality-in-rainwater-tanks/ Thu, 31 Oct 2019 00:13:38 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=10959 Maintaining Water Quality: Rainwater is considered by many as clean and pure though in reality it is not always so. The quality of your tank water will depend on the manner in which it has been collected. If the water is collected in rainwater tanks from roof runoffs then there may be a risk of toxic metal and bacteria contamination. Continue Reading

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Maintaining Water Quality: Rainwater is considered by many as clean and pure though in reality it is not always so. The quality of your tank water will depend on the manner in which it has been collected. If the water is collected in rainwater tanks from roof runoffs then there may be a risk of toxic metal and bacteria contamination.

Maintain Water Quality

Maintain Water Quality

What harmful contaminants are present in rainwater tanks?

The major contaminants of rainwater tanks are the innumerable microorganisms and toxic metal traces that enter through roofing materials or air pollution. One of the main bacteria present in rainwater tanks is the E.coli which enters through animal feces and can be the reason for gastrointestinal ailments including diarrhea and vomiting. The bacteria flourish in the waters due to possums and bird droppings which are washed into your rainwater tank. A large number of ailment cases may not be reported because most of the affected people recover after a couple of days’ illness.

What are the checkpoints to be observed?

  • Ensure the cleanliness of your gutters as otherwise fecal matter in it can get washed into the rainwater tank. It is essential to undertake the cleaning operation at an interval of three months.
  • Ensure that a good quality mesh is covering your rainwater tank. This will prevent vermin and other disease causing insects from entering into the water.
  • Check the water quality after intervals of six months; this can be done with the help of water testing kit. Water can also be physically checked by observing the sediment levels, through smell or its color.
  • Check the functioning of pipes and pumps every six months.
  • De-sludge your rainwater tank every few years and get it done from a professional contractor. This will ensure the removal of sediment and build-up in the tank is done correctly.

What to do when in doubt?

If you have tested your tank water with a water testing kit then this should give you the peace of mind that it is safe to use. You can also consider using a water filtration system though keep in mind that in lab settings eliminate E.coli bacteria but the same cannot be said about cheaper home filtration systems. If they are not designed correctly or not  maintained then they can often become a breeding place for bacteria. Ensure that your water filtration system is installed by a professional and maintained on a regular basis.

Maintaining Water Quality is important even if your drinking water comes though city water supplies, maintaining your rainwater tank quality is a good option as it can be safely used for watering plants, flushing toilets and showers. This reduces the burden on town water supplies and it helps in decreasing runoff into water channels safeguarding urban waterways.

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Residual Chlorine in Drinking Water https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/residual-chlorine-in-drinking-water/ Wed, 30 Oct 2019 00:26:16 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=10910 Brief on Residual Chlorine in Drinking Water Chlorine is added to drinking water as a disinfectant. However, chlorine in drinking water has different definitions depending upon the stage it exists during the disinfection process. Chlorine residual or free chlorine presence in drinking water is an indication of two facts. One is that adequate quantities of chlorine was added at the Continue Reading

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Residual Chlorine in Drinking Water

Brief on Residual Chlorine in Drinking Water

Chlorine is added to drinking water as a disinfectant. However, chlorine in drinking water has different definitions depending upon the stage it exists during the disinfection process. Chlorine residual or free chlorine presence in drinking water is an indication of two facts. One is that adequate quantities of chlorine was added at the start into the water  so that the disease causing virus and bacteria would get inactivated and secondly there will be no re-contamination of water during storage.

What happens when chlorine is put into water?

On addition of chlorine into water a part of it reacts firstly with organic and inorganic substances and metals present in water and hence, cannot be used for disinfecting purposes. This is termed as the chlorine demand of water. The chlorine quantity left after meeting this demand is called as the total chlorine. Total chlorine consists of weak disinfectants that are formed by chlorine reacting with metals and inorganic, organic matter and the free chlorine or chlorine residual that can be used for inactivating disease causing pathogens. The weak disinfectants are termed as combined chlorine. Summarizing, total chlorine is an addition of free chlorine and combined chlorine quantities.

The definitions can be explained through an example. In case the water is completely clean, there will be no demand on the chlorine quantities to react with inorganic and organic substances and hence the quantities of combined chlorine will be nil. Therefore, free chlorine in this case will be the quantity of chlorine added at the start.

How to test for free chlorine quantities

There are basically, three methods adopted for testing the chlorine quantities in water and each of them is explained in brief.

  • Pool Test kits: This involves using orthotolidine; a liquid chemical which leads to a change in color to yellow if total chlorine amounts exist in tested waters. These water testing kits are available in all stores and are largely used for testing total chlorine concentration in swimming pool waters. However, these kits fail to measure free chlorine and cannot be relied upon totally.
  • Color-wheel test kit: This involves using a chemical tablet or powder called DPD that leads the water color to change to a pink hue if chlorine amounts exist in the tested waters. This testing kit tests for the presence of total chlorine as well as free chlorine quantities.
  • Digital Colorimeters: This is a more reliable method for testing the presence of free and total chlorine quantities in drinking waters. This is a two-step procedure. The first step is to test the water sample by using DPD powder or tablets. Next is to insert the vial containing the water sample into a meter whereby the intensity of change in color is read and a digital display of the same is flashed.

Summary

Chlorine acts as an effective disinfectant and residual chlorine offers protection to the water supply down the line and away from the point of disinfection.  Waters are tested for residual chlorine at the point of disinfection to ensure that the chlorination process is working efficiently; next at the closest point of consumption to ensure that residual chlorine levels are within permissible limits and further down the line to ascertain the presence of sufficient levels of chlorine in the waters.

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Insight Into Testing Bore Water Quality https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/testing-bore-water-quality/ Tue, 29 Oct 2019 05:21:59 +0000 https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/?p=10859 Water from bore wells is one of the major water sources and is used for varied purposes such as irrigation, washing clothes or vehicles, flushing of toilets, showering as well as in the kitchen for preparing food and drinking. However, its use in kitchen largely depends on the quality of the bore well water. It is essential that testing bore Continue Reading

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Water from bore wells is one of the major water sources and is used for varied purposes such as irrigation, washing clothes or vehicles, flushing of toilets, showering as well as in the kitchen for preparing food and drinking. However, its use in kitchen largely depends on the quality of the bore well water.

Testing Bore Water Quality

Testing Bore Water Quality

It is essential that testing bore water quality is done before use and at least once a year for microbiological and chemical contamination if it has to be used for drinking purposes. And this has to be done from an accredited laboratory so that it can undergo the required treatment if needed. A water test kit can also be used as a first screening mode to determine the safety of this water. It is advisable to not use this water for your pool or spa as it will necessitate the use of greater amounts of chemicals to ensure its safety and thus increasing the costs of maintenance. Moreover, the increased iron content can lead to staining around the pool sides.

Contamination of bore water can happen due to natural reasons as well as human activities. Human activities include wrongful use of animal manures, fertilizers, insecticides, poor maintenance of septic tanks, discharge from waste disposal systems, intensive mining activities etc. However, water from bore wells that are managed by licensed operators are safe from contamination due to their presence in the vicinity of aquifers or in regions where there is strict control over land usage and regions which come under catchment management projects.

There are several ways to ascertain if the water from your bore well is contaminated. Some indications include an unusual taste, color or smell to the water, plants that wilt on its use or reluctance on the part of animals to drink it. However, all contaminants may not always be a risk to your health. It is only the presence of contaminants like arsenic, nitrate, petroleum products that can be a cause of health concern if the water is used for purposes of bathing, drinking or preparation of food.

In any case, there is no need to worry about possible contamination if you undertake the required steps to reduce the risk. Some of the measures that can be adopted in this regard include installing a perimeter fencing around the bore well, ensuring its appropriate location, avoiding the use of pesticides near it and preventing the seepage of wastewater into the soil adjacent to supply bores besides undertaking regular inspection and maintenance.

The measures for testing the water quality of your bore well vary depending upon the use it is intended for. An accredited laboratory will provide the necessary guidelines on how to go about conducting a standard water test if the water is meant for drinking purposes. Other regulatory authorities will offer guidelines for use of bore well water for purposes other than drinking.

At all times, always test the water of your bore well before use and keep in mind the usefulness of bore water testing kits as a first screening device!

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