For those who would like a definition of pH and an explanation of why testing for pH matters, take a look at one of our previous blog entries: “Testing for pH Levels and Why pH Matters“.

Since we have not, as of yet, posted a blog entry specifically about alkalinity, we figure we will take care of that matter right now by including a basic definition of alkalinity in this blog entry:

In a nutshell, alkalinity refers to water’s ability to resist sudden changes to its pH and to measure alkalinity we measure the amount of CaCO₃ in the water. In nature CaCO₃ typically comes from rocks and soil that water passes over in its travels.

Pool and spa owners will add CaCO₃, sometimes referred to as “Alkalinity Increaser, to counteract the basic (high pH) nature of liquid chlorine and/or the acidic (low pH) nature of most chlorine tablets and sticks.

Since pH and alkalinity have such a close relationship, and it would make sense to measure one if you planned to measure the other, the makers of the WaterWorks brand of water quality test strips created the pH and Total Alkalinity Test Strip which measures both water quality parameters simultaneously and gives accurate, repeatable results in under 30 seconds.

Directions:

1. Dip 1 test strip into a water sample for 10 seconds, then remove.
2. Immediately match pH color, then match alkalinity test pad color.

Detection Levels:

• pH: 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0
• Total Alkalinity: 0, 80, 120, 180, 240, 360 ppm (mg/L)

Most of us take for granted that we will have safe, clean tap water coming out of our faucets and think nothing of the dangers presented by not filtering and/or purifying our water prior to use.

• Cryptosporidium, a gastrointestinal parasite, contaminated the municipal drinking water of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1993 and caused one hundred deaths. ( source )

• A deadly strain of e.coli bacteria found its way into the municipal water supply of Walkerton, Canada in 2000 causing hundreds of residents ill and eventually taking the lives of seven people. ( source )

It sounds shocking that such horrible water quality tragedies could happen in modern times given the frequency of municipal water testing, but two very important facts stand out if you take the time to think about the way in which municipal water systems operate:

1. Municipal water systems test for a set number of water quality parameters and sometimes rare, unusual, and often not-tested-for water vermin like Cryptosporidium can easily slip past even the most stringent water testing programs. Example: Milwaukee, WI in 1993.

2. Municipal water systems test water at the point of distribution, not use. This means the water leaves water treatment facilities fully tested and approved for consumption… but keep in mind that the water must travel through many miles of piping and plumbing with literally thousands of joints and welds where harmful contaminants could find their way into the water if only one of those places has cracked or otherwise become deficient.

So as you can see, even the best water treatment plants in the world with the best records for drinking water quality cannot issue a 100% guarantee that your tap water will contain no unwanted contaminants. Once water leaves their grounds its quality can change for innumerable reasons and in innumerable ways… so ultimate responsibility for making sure you have safe, clean tap water falls on… your shoulders.

Installing the correct point-of-use water filtration and/or purification system (i.e. countertop, undersink, whole house, shower, etc.) can negate pretty much all the possible risks associated with water contamination between the distribution point and your favorite glass.

Take the time to learn about the different point-of-use water treatment options you have available and, of course, don’t forget to test your drinking water periodically, even after installing a filtration/purification system, to make sure it continues to function properly!

As the ground starts to thaw out in parts of the country and building crews begin to wake up from their Winter Slumber. Drawing boards fill up again with blueprints for new projects and soon the call for good, properly aged lumber will go out.

When that call goes out, lumber yards far and near will fill up with men and women eager to fill up their pickup trucks and flatbeds with wood boards, planks and studs… that don’t contain too much moisture. To ensure that last part, the smart shoppers will use moisture meters like the GE Protimeter Timbermaster test kit which automatically compensates for temperature and comes pre-programmed w/ 150 different types of wood.

Available through TestProducts.Com, the GE Protimeter Timbermaster w/ External Temperature Probe makes choosing the best wood for the job a whole lot simpler!

Specifications & Features:

• Detection Range: 7 to 99.9%
• Resolution: 0.1%
• Accuracy: ±1% at 68° F
• Large LCD Display Screen
• 150 Built-in Wood Calibration Scales
• Automatic Temperature Correction
• Works w/ Optional Hammer Electrode for Sub-Surface Measurements
• Weight: .330 lbs. (without batteries)
• Dimensions: 7.02″ x 1.09″ x 1.91″
• Power: Comes w/ (2) two “AA” alkaline batteries
• Comes w/ (2) two 1″ replacement pin needles
• Warranty: One year parts and labor warranty

Click here for more information about the GE Protimeter Timbermaster.

Tags: ge protimeter, ge protimeter timbermaster, ge timbermaster, moisture in lumber meter, moisture in wood meter, moisture meter

We recently learned of another vendor, WaterFilters.Net, that offers drinking water water test kits on their web site.

Many people know that a diamond will cut, scratch or otherwise mark the surface of any other naturally occurring substance on our planet because of its hardness. Many people do not, however, have any idea how to measure a material’s hardness in an absolute sense and can only compare the hardnesses of two materials against each other.

For folks who want to determine the hardness of a material in a more quantitative sense, a meter definitely comes in handy.

Digital Hardness Meter Specifications:

• Hardness parameter HL, HRC, HRB, HV, HB, HS
• Battery life: 16 hours continuous
• Auto Power Off: 2 Minutes non use
• Display functions: Hardness scale, hardness value, average indicator and average value, impact direction, type of impact device connected, memory reference
• Accuracy: Within ± 0.5% (or HLD=800)
• Memory: 1250 groups
• Overall dimensions: 6.2″ x 1.6″ x 1″ (158 x 41 x 26mm)
• Weight: 4.2 oz (120 g)
• Conforming to ASTM A956

Tags: astm a956, brinell hardness, hardness meter, materials hardness test, rockwell hardness, shore hardness, vickers hardness

A while back we posted an article about the extent of mercury contamination in freshwater streams and rivers in the United States and in that article we told you how fish from ALL 291 bodies of water tested came up positive for mercury. Therefore an article which recently appeared on the Denver Post web site about smallmouth bass in the Juniata Reservoir coming up positive for mercury contamination did not surprise us.

How certain government officials proposed to DEAL with the problem, however, DID shock us.

GRAND JUNCTION — A reservoir that provides drinking water for Grand Junction is closed for fishing because smallmouth bass there have tested positive for mercury contamination.

Steve Gunderson, director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s water- quality division, says the mercury levels in Juniata Reservoir are extremely low, but mercury accumulates in fish. He says state health officials are meeting with city officials about keeping the reservoir off a list of bodies of water that don’t meet water- quality standards, if they can get rid of all contaminated fish or isolate the reservoir. ( source )

Sounds to use like the officials seem more concerned about keeping this body of water off the ‘contaminated list’ than they do about the actual underlying problem: Mercury in the water!

Granted the article only gave a brief overview of the situation at Juniata Reservoir, but we really find it strange that the proposed method of ’solving’ the problem involves removing (killing) all the smallmouth bass… and/or keeping those fish from migrating to another body of water.

No matter how you look at it, once again it seems that certain government bodies care more about regional revenue from tourism, revenue from sport fishing, and revenue in general than they do about finding the underlying cause of all the problems… and this means, to some extent, that the general public must keep a vigilant eye on issues involving contamination of lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and any other bodies of water because government agencies have their own agendas which may or may not include keeping toxic materials out of the water.

Testing for Metals in Water

A quick and efficient way of testing for the presence of metals in your water involves the use of a water testing product such as the SenSafe Water Metals Check which provides users with semi-quantitative water metals levels in under three minutes.

SenSafe Water Metals Check requires no iodine indicator solution, no meter, and no specialized training. Just dip the strip for 20 seconds, wait two minutes, and match color on the end of the strip to the color chart provided on the bottle.

Metals detected by SenSafe Water Metals Check include, but are not limited to, copper, cobalt, zinc, cadmium, and nickel.

SenSafe Water Metals Check has a low detection limit of 10ppb (parts per billion), much lower than any comparable product on the market.

What About Testing for Mercury in Water?

Simple test kits exist for testing mercury levels in drinking water as well. SenSafe manufactures two different Mercury in Water Test Kits and both, like SenSafe Water Metals Check, require no meter or special training to use and yield results in a matter of minutes.

If you have a home water filter system that requires a 2.5″ diameter 20″ Big Blue Carbon Filter, then the following list will definitely come in handy. Below you will find replacement Liquatec, Pentek and KX Matrikx 20″ x 2.5″ replacement carbon filters for big blue filter housings.

KX Matrikx +Pb1 06-250-125-20 Filter
KX Matrikx 06-250-125-20

Your Cost: $30.00
Regular Price: $35.00

“The KX Matrikx +Pb1 06-250-125-20 Filter is a KX Matrikx “Premier Performer,” reducing lead, cysts, chlorine, taste odors, and sediment from your water. All KX +Pb1 filters are made of extruded activated carbon that reduces soluble lead using an ion-exchange filter medium with high specificity for soluble lead. Particulate filtration is used to intercept insoluble lead-containing particles. Therefore making these filters very powerful in many residential and commercial applications. The KX Matrikx 06-250-125-20 also meets NSF/ANSI Standard 53, Turbidity and Cyst Reduction, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Entamoeba and Toxoplasma although it has been tested and verified by an independent laboratory. The +Pb1 Specifications: Dimensions: 20″ x 2.5″ .5 Micron Nominal Filtration 1 Micron Absolute Filtration No Release of Carbon Fines NSF 42 Test Certified for Material Requirements High Absorbtion and Capacity Flow Rate: up to 1.5 GPM Capacity for Chlorine Reduction: 12,000 @ 1.5 GPM Capacity for Lead Reduction: 5,000 @ 1.5 GPM Max Temp: 125 FThe +Pb1 0625012520 Reduces: Lead Cysts (Gairdia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba, and Toxoplasma) Chlorine Taste Odor Bad Taste Odor Particulates This filter should be changed every 6 months to 1 year depending on water quality and usage. This filter will fit into Pentek, Ametek, US Filter, Kleen Plus, American Plumber and other brand housings that require a 20″x 2.5″ Filter Cartridges. This includes but is not limited to the Culligan 20-ST Housing, and the Pentek 150544 and 150576 Housings. +Pb1 Series Manual ”

KX Matrikx +CR1 19-250-125-20 Carbon Filter
KX Matrikx 19-250-125-20

Your Cost: $27.00
Regular Price: $30.00

“The KX Matrikx +CR1 19-250-125-20 Carbon Filter is manufactured using a patented, solid-state extrusion process, which in turn allows this filter to reduce cysts and large volumes and concentrations of chlorine taste and odor from your water. This makes the +CR1 filter ideal for use in food service applications. The KX MATRIKX + CR1 meets NSF/ANSI Standard 53, Turbidity and Cyst Reduction, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Entamoeba and Toxoplasma although it was performance tested certified by independent laboratory testing. The +CR1 19-250-125-20 Specifications: Dimensions: 20″ x 2.5″ .5 Micron Nominal Filtration 1 Micron Absolute Filtration No Release of Carbon Fines NSF 42 Test Certified for Material Requirements High Absorbtion and Capacity Flow Rate: up to 5 GPM Capacity: 20,000 Gallons Max Temp: 125 F Max Pressure: 250 psiThe +CR1 Reduces: Cysts (Gairdia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba, and Toxoplasma) Chlorine Taste Odor Bad Taste Odor Turbidity Particulates This filter should be changed every 6 months to 1 year depending on water quality and usage. This filter will fit into Pentek, Ametek, US Filter, Kleen Plus, American Plumber and other brand housings that require a 20″x 2.5″ Filter Cartridges. This includes but is not limited to the Culligan 20-ST Housing, and the Pentek 150544 and 150576 Housings. View Product Manual For +CR1 Series ”

Pentek / Ametek EP-20 20″ Carbon Block Filter
Pentek EP-20

Your Cost: $18.00
Regular Price: $18.90

“The Pentek / Ametek EP-20 Carbon Block Filter is designed to reduce and remove Chlorine taste Odor as well as dirt, sand, and sediment from your household water.As part of the “EP Series” the EP-20 uses “Endurawrap”, a unique polyolefin bilaminate pre-filter that actually increases the filters life by trapping sediment more effectively, maximizing the filters absorbtion capability. Pentek part number 155529.The EP-20 Specifications: Dimensions 20″ x 2 7/8″ diameter Micron Rating 5 Flow Rate: 2 GPM @ 3 psi Temp Range: 40 – 180 F Capacity: 12,000 Gallons Reduces: Chlorine Taste Odor, Sand, Rust, Dirt, and SedimentThe EP20 fits most undersink housings that require 20″ filters including, but not limited to, Pentek, American Plumber, Culligan, Omnifilter, Ametek, US Filter, and Cuno. Filter Life depends on water quality and usage. The EP-20 Product Manual”

Pentek GAC-20 20″ Granular Activated Carbon Filter
Pentek GAC-20

Your Cost: $17.70
Regular Price: $21.30

“The Pentek GAC-20 Granular Activated Carbon Filter Cartridge effectively reduces chlorine taste and odor and bad taste and odor from your drinking water. The GAC-20 features a 20 micron post filter that captures suspended carbon fines before they exit the filter. Part Number 155111-43.The Pentek GAC-20 Specifications:20 Micron Rating Reduces chlorine taste and odor Reducesbad taste and odor Dimensions: 20″ x2 7/8″ Capacity: 10,0000 Gallons Flow Rate: 2 GPM @ 16 psi Temp Rating: 40 – 125 F NSF Certified for Material RequirementsThe GAC20 fits most whole house and reverse osmosis systems that require a 20″ filter including systems by Cuno, Aqua Pure, Omni, American Plumber, GE, Flotec, Honeywell, and Sears. View Full Product Sheet ”

Liquatec CB-250-20-05 Carbon Filter
Liquatech CB-250-20-05

Your Cost: $16.75
Regular Price: $19.42

“The Liquatec CB-250-20-05 carbon Filter can be used to reduce chlorine, taste odor, sediment, and certain VOC’s from your water. Great cost-to-performance value! This filter is NSF/ANSI tested for material requirements only. The CB-250-20-05 Specifications Based on Independent Laboratory Testing: 5 Micron Nominal Filtration Dimensions: 2 1/2″ x 20″ Inner Diameter: 1.25″ Flow Rate: 2 psi drop @ 2 GPM Reduces: Chlorine, Taste Odor, Sediment, and Certain VOC’s Capacity for Chlorine Reduction: 9,000 @ 2 GPM Solid block design eliminates channeling, by-pass or release of carbon fines FDA Listed MaterialsThe CB-250-20-05 will fit Pentek, Ametek, US Filter, American Plumber, Culligan and other brands of filter housings that require a standard size 20″ Cartridge (not Big Blue). This filter should be changed every 3-6 months depending on water quality and usage. Product Manual”

Liquatec CB-250-20-10 Carbon Filter
Liquatec CB-250-20-10

Your Cost: $16.00
Regular Price: $16.79

“The Liquatec CB-250-20-10 Carbon Filter can be used to reduce chlorine, taste odor, sediment, and certain VOC’s from your water. Great cost-to-performance value! This filter is NSF/ANSI tested for material requirements only. The CB-250-20-10 Specifications Based on Independent Laboratory Testing: 10 Micron Nominal Filtration Dimensions: 2 1/2″ x 20″ Inner Diameter: 1.25″ Flow Rate: 2 psi drop @ 2 GPM Reduces: Chlorine, Taste Odor, Sediment, and Certain VOC’s Capacity for Chlorine Reduction: 9,000 @ 2 GPM Solid block design eliminates channeling, by-pass or release of carbon fines FDA Listed MaterialsThe CB-250-20-10 will fit Pentek, Ametek, US Filter, American Plumber, Culligan and other brands of filter housings that require a standard size 20″ Cartridge (not Big Blue). This filter should be changed every 3-6 months depending on water quality and usage. Product Specifications”

KX Matrikx +10 /2 10-250-190-20 Filter
KX Matrikx 10-250-190-20

Your Cost: $19.00
Regular Price: $25.00

“The KX Matrikx +10 /2 10-250-190-20 Filter is a high performance filter used to reduce chlorine taste odor from your drinking water. Can be used as an economical replacement for lesser performing GAC or PAC water filter cartridges. 20″ Filter Cartridge. Filter features 2 blue end caps. The KX Matrikx +10 /2 10-250-190-20 NSF/ANSI Tested and Certified for Material Requirements only. This filter was performance tested verified by Independent Laboratory Testing. The KX +10 10-250-190-20 Specifications: 3 Nominal Filtration Greater than 99.5% reduction of 10 Micron Particles Flow Rate: 2 psi drop @ 2 GPM Dimensions: 20″ x 2.5″ Max Operating Pressure: 250 psi Max Temp: 125 FMedia: Extruded Carbon to prevent channeling, fluidizing, release of carbon finesThe KX Matrix 1025019020 will fit the Culligan, American Plumber, Aqua Pure, Pentek, Ametek, US Filter, and other brands of housings that require a standard 20″ Filter Cartridge such as the Pentek housings 150544, 150568, and 150576. This filter should be changed every 3 to 6 months depending on water quality and usage. Product Manual ”

Pentek EPM-20 Carbon Briquette Filter Cartridge
Pentek EPM-20

Your Cost: $13.00
Regular Price: $13.55

“The Pentek, Ametek EPM-20BB Carbon Briquette Filter Cartridge is designed to reduce and remove Chlorine taste Odor as well as dirt, sand, and sediment from your household water. Part Number 155635-43.As part of the “EP Series” the EPM-20 uses “Endurawrap”, a unique polyolefin bilaminate pre-filter that actually increases the filters life by trapping sediment more effectively. The EPM-20 Specifications: Cartridge Dimensions: 20″ x 2 7/8″ diameter Micron Rating 10 Max tempature: 180 F Capacity For Chlorine Reduction: &gt6,000 gallons @ 2 GPM Tempature Range: 40 F – 180 F Flow Rate: 1 psi drop @ 2 GPMThe EPM20 Filter Cartridge Manual “

We recently read that the Federal Government has decided to investigate the severity and cause elevated nitrate and bacteria levels in well water out in the State of Washington.

From the sounds of things, the situation has gone on for quite some time… and residents in rural Lower Yakima Valley may have had elevated nitrate and bacteria for quite some time now w/o anyone really looking into where the contaminants came from.

Stories like this one ought to make EVERY private well owner seriously consider having their water tested by a certified water testing laboratory and performing routine checks themselves with at-home well water test kits — because the responsibility for the safety of private well water rests solely with well owners.

YAKIMA, Wash. — An effort to address polluted groundwater consumed by many rural Lower Yakima Valley residents was formally launched Thursday as local, state and federal officials pledged to tackle a stubborn problem that’s been decades in the making.

“It’s going to be a big challenge. It’s a difficult problem,” said Tom Tebb, regional director for the state Department of Ecology in Yakima.

“But it matters because we have people drinking water contaminated by nitrate and bacteria and at unsafe levels in some cases,” Tebb said at a news conference to announce the effort.

Five agencies released the final version of a report on groundwater quality that is a wide-ranging compilation of historical data about the contamination, health effects, regulatory responsibilities and recommendations for action.

…

Of some 30,000 private wells in the Lower Valley, 20 percent have elevated levels of nitrate and bacteria.

This week, federal regulators began their own testing program on 150 wells to try and determine the source of the nitrates and bacteria.

To make sure the samples are tested in a timely fashion, a mobile laboratory has been driven to Yakima from Manchester, Wash., on the Kitsap Peninsula, home of the regional lab for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Two microbiologists will test for coliform bacteria, fecal coliform and e. coli and conduct “microbial source tracking” to determine if the bacteria are human or ruminant. Cattle are ruminants, and manure from dairy and feedlots is one suspected source of both nitrate and bacterial contamination.

Another round of testing in April will help the agency determine the link between elevated levels of nitrate and sources of nitrate, which can come from manure, chemical fertilizer or septic systems.

If the test results allow regulators to identify obvious sources of pollution, enforcement action could follow, said Tom Eaton, director of the Washington operations office of the EPA in Seattle.

Results are expected sometime this summer. ( source )

If you own a private well and do not have your water tested on a regular basis you run the risk of exposure to an almost limitless number of contaminants that can get into the aquifer at any time and for a number of reasons. Natural disasters, changes in weather patterns, heavy demand from other well owners, etc. can all affect the quality of the water in your well.

Water Tests by a Certified Drinking Water Testing Lab

Short of having the Environmental Protection Agency come out and test your well and/or water, no better option exists than to have your water tested by a certified drinking water testing laboratory like National Testing Laboratories which offers three levels of testing:

Basic Test Kit — Tests for 27 Common Drinking Water Contaminants: Aluminum, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Zinc, Alkalinity, Chloride, Fluoride, Nitrate as N, Nitrite as N, Sulfate, Hardness, pH (Standard Units), Total Dissolved Solids, and Turbidity (Turbidity Units).

Most Popular Test Kit — Tests for 83 Drinking Water Contaminants: Bacteria (presence/absence for coliform and E.coli), (19) heavy metals and minerals, (6) other inorganic chemicals, (5) physical characteristics, (4) trihalomethanes and (47) volatile organic chemicals.

Most Popular + Pesticides — Tests for 83 Drinking Water Contaminants: Bacteria (presence/absence for coliform and E.coli), (19) heavy metals and minerals, (6) other inorganic chemicals, (5) physical characteristics, (4) trihalomethanes and (47) volatile organic chemicals plus an additional 20 tests for pesticides, herbicides and PCB’s.

Testing for… darkness? Huh? Why would someone do THAT?!?

Exactly our point. Few people really have a need to test for darkness. Most people do, however, have a need to test for light — especially people interested in taking the perfect picture, shooting the perfect video, or setting up a room in their home with perfect lighting.

4-in-1 Anemometer, Thermometer, Hygrometer & Light Meter (LM-8000) w/Lanyard	LM-8000
4-in-1 LUX & Sound Meter (V-DVM401) with Temperature & Humidity	DVM401
Light Meter: Digital 0 to 20,000 LUX (DLM1337) with Remote Light Sensor & Carrying Case	DLM1337
Light Meter: Digital 0 to 20,000 LUX in 3 Ranges (DLM2000) w/Remote Sensor	DLM2000
Light Meter: Digital 0 to 50,000 LUX in 3 Ranges (DLM105HA) with Remote Sensor & RS-232 PC Interface	DLM105HA
Light Meter: Digital 0 to 50,000 LUX in 3 Ranges (DLM2b) Built-In Zero Calibration	DLM2b
Light Meter: Digital 20 to 200,000 LUX (DLM203DL) with RS-232 PC Interface, Cable, Software & Data-Logger	DLM203DL
Light Meter: Digital 200 to 200,000 LUX in 4 Ranges (DLM204) w/Built-in Sensor	DLM204
Light Meter: Economy Digital 0 to 50,000 LUX (V-DVM1300) with Remote Probe on 36″ Coiled Lead, Protective Cap & Faux Leather Zippered Case	DVM1300
Personal UV Index Monitor & Exposure Alarm (DW-75488) Temperature, UV & Time	DW-75488
Personal UV Index Monitor & Exposure Timer (UV112) Displays Temperature, UV Index & Time	UV112
Solar Power Meter: Digital 2000 W/m2, 634 BTU (DBTU1300) with Batteries & Belt Pouch	DBTU1300
Ultra-Violet Light Meter: 220~275nm, UVC to 9999µW/cm2 (UV512C) with Case	UV512C
Ultra-Violet Light Meter: 254~400nm, UV AB to 1999 µW/cm2 (UV513AB) with Case	UV513AB
Ultra-Violet Light Meter: Radiometer 254nm, 0-199.9 µW/cm2 (UVC254) with Remote Sensor	UVC254
Ultra-Violet Light Meter: UVA/UVB 290-390nm, 0-19999 µW/cm2 (UV340A) with Sensor	UV340A
Ultra-Violet Light Meter: UVA/UVB 290-390nm, 0.001-19.99 mW/cm2 (YK-35UV) w/Sensor	YK-35UV

And sometimes, when things don’t exactly work out as we plan, and darkness finds its way into our world due to unforeseen events, having the following device installed in our home or office will give us temporary light for a while until the power comes back on.

In the event that the power will take longer to come back on than you would like, perhaps you might need… a flashlight?

Tags: light meter, lux, test for light