Test For Things 'A to Z'

City Employee Gets Probation for Falsifying Water Test Results

Water Testing Blog — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:03:44 +0000

We often get asked if people who have city/town water ought to test their drinking water from time to time. If you live in the city of Edgewood, Iowa, you no longer have to ask that question.

While the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says they do not believe any dangerous water safety issues avoided detection, the fact that a city employee responsible for testing the city’s public drinking water supply on a regular basis purchased only enough supplies for 100 tests — despite claiming to have performed 3,889 water tests between January 2006 and July 2009 — would make just about anyone curious.

A former Edgewood city employee has been sentenced to probation after he admitted that he failed to test the town’s water supply and submitted false reports to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

…

Harris, 43, pleaded guilty in April to one count of making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency.

In the plea agreement, Harris admitted he sent false monthly reports to the DNR from February 2008 and July 2009. He falsely claimed testing for fluoride, chlorine and manganese. DNR tests showed less chlorine in the water than the 1.5 milligrams per liter required by state law to kill bacteria.

The review found lower-than-acceptable levels of fluoride, which reduces tooth decay, and manganese oxide, which helps remove cancer-causing radium from the water. Residents in the eastern Iowa town were not exposed to any short- or long-term health risks, a DNR officer said.

The DNR originally alleged that Harris claimed to have done 3,889 water tests between January 2006 and July 2009, but bought enough material for only 100 tests. Harris resigned in August 2009.

The investigation began after some residents complained about declining water quality. ( source )

OK, now having read that, does the statement, “DNR tests showed less chlorine in the water than the 1.5 milligrams per liter required by state law to kill bacteria.” make you feel… safe?

How about “The investigation began after some residents complained about declining water quality.” Does that give you any sense of security?

Can individuals test their city/town/tap water?

Of course they can! While only certified water testing laboratories can give the absolute last word on the safety and potability of drinking water, at-home drinking water test kits from companies like SenSafe and WaterSafe allow the average homeowner to test critical water parameters on their own, whenever they want, and for little money.

What water parameters should homeowners test?

Given the number of possible drinking water contaminants, the average homeowner would find it difficult (and expensive!) to test for them all… but as a general rule, if typically makes sense for people on city/town/tap water to test for water parameters such as:

free chlorine residual
total chlorine residual
lead in water
copper in water
iron in water
total hardness
bacteria in water
hydrogen sulfide

Should homeowners with city water test for other things? That all depends on where their water company gets its water. As an example, if the water comes from a well, other potentially harmful water contaminants such as pesticides and arsenic could find their way into the water supply and an ill-equipped water treatment facility may not have the proper technology installed to remove them.

As always, though, if you have serious reason to suspect that your tap water has ‘issues’, seek advice from certified water quality experts. Home water test kits serve as great field tests, but the final word regarding a water supply’s potability should come from a certified water testing laboratory.

Water Testing Scam Reported

Water Testing Blog — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:03:30 +0000

Back in the month of June resident of Alberta, Canada with his own ‘news’ blog did his community a great service by posting an article warning people that scam artists had targeted neighbors. Apparently, a fly-by-night, or otherwise not-so-ethical organization, left small bags containing water sampling kits on people’s doors and has now started making follow-up calls to the homes where they dropped off bags.

While the town of Morinville DOES have a random sampling program in effect to help guarantee water quality for all residents, the town has nothing to do with the surprise water testing packages showing up at people’s homes.

Morinville – If you come home to find a little blue bag hanging on your door with a water testing kit inside, Morinville Enforcement Services want you to know that it is not a town-run program.

Enforcement Services have recently received a number of calls from Morinville residents who have received the kits and are reporting that follow-up calls are being made to their homes regarding them.

The kits are not being distributed by Public Works or any other Morinville department.

Morinville already has a water testing process in place. Water testers collect unsolicited random samples on a daily basis and send them to a government lab to ensure the quality and safety of the Town’s water.

If the Town requires anything from a resident or their property, they contact the person directly. At no time do they hang collection kits on a resident’s door.

Residents with questions are asked to call Enforcement Services at 939-4361 or Public Works at 939-2590. ( source )

We have written about shady water testing companies in the past, we find ourselves writing about them now, and we will probably wind up writing about them again in the future. It saddens us to know that people could use matters as serious as drinking water contamination as a way to trick people into purchasing additional water testing and/or possibly unneeded water filtration equipment.

Avoiding the snake oil salesman

Most Effective Method: Don’t let the b#stards in the front door to begin with and/or hang up on them when they call.

Next Most Effective Method: Knowing the condition of your drinking water will always provide you with the best defense against unethical water testing companies and companies using deceptive water testing tactics. They cannot possibly convince you that you need ‘this’ or that you will DIE if you don’t install ‘that’ right away if you already know from testing of your own or a trusted water testing facility indicates otherwise.

Always remember that a water filter company offering to come out and test your water ‘for free’ spends money on gas, training, salary and equipment sending a technician (salesperson) to your house — and therefore expects that technician (salesperson) to sell you something whether you need it or not.

If you think you may need a water filter, first have an independent lab like National Testing Laboratories or a local laboratory certified to test drinking water give you a complete analysis. Then read the results over carefully and make sure you understand what they mean so that when the water filter salesperson makes his/her presentation, you can ask the right questions and keep yourself from accidentally getting sold more filter than you really need.

All in One Water Test Kit	Lead in Water Test Kit	Bacteria in Water Test Kit
Well Water Test Kit	Chlorine and Hardness Test Kit	Water Cooler Bacteria Test Kit
Science Fair Project Test Kit Four Full Kits	Science Fair Project Test Kit Ten Full Kits	Caffeine Test Strip
Pool and Spa Bacteria Test Kit Contains One Test	Pool and Spa Bacteria Test Kit Contains Ten Tests

Question: What is a Sulfur Water Test?

Water Testing Blog — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:47:40 +0000

Today we received a question from NicholasG asking about something called… ‘a sulfur water test’.

Don’t know if you can help, but what in the world is a sulfur water test? An older couple came by to look at our house today and before they left the man asked us the last time we had a sulfur water test done. So what is a sulfur water test and why did he ask that?

NicholasG

Given that he asked about a ‘sulfur water test’, we will assume your home has a private well as its water supply. The term ‘sulfur water test’ usually refers to any test that detects dissolved hydrogen sulfide in water.

Iron & Hydrogen Sulfide Filter
Whole House

If you’ve got an iron or hydrogen sulfide problem, you may find the answers you seek in a whole house iron and hydrogen sulfide filter. Using a specially blended filtration media that includes glauconite green sand, the system effectively removes iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide.

Why would drinking water contain hydrogen sulfide?

Pinpointing the exact source of hydrogen sulfide in water sometimes takes a bit of effort. The gas occurs naturally in groundwater and may come from microorganisms referred to as ‘sulfur bacteria’. That same type of bacteria may also exist in a well and or in the water distribution system after a well. To make matters even worse, sulfur bacteria may also live in water heaters and chemical reactions within certain types of water heaters can also result in the addition of hydrogen sulfide to water.It can be produced also by sulfur bacteria or chemical reactions inside water heaters.

Though not nearly as common, specific types of pollution may also add hydrogen sulfide to a water supply.

Sulfur bacteria and hydrogen sulfide… Dangerous?

Most times a rotten egg smell coming from water does not mean the water poses a significant health risk. But, in the absence of other contributing factors, one should always remember that in rare cases hydrogen sulfide may occur as a result of a contamination from sewage or other types of pollution — and in those cases serious and/or life-threatening health hazards may exist.

As a precautionary measure, we suggest that anyone whose water suddenly develops a rotten egg smell have their water tested for other water parameters such as coliform bacteria and nitrates, as unsafe levels of either in water make the water unsafe to drink non-potable and unfit for human consumption.

Another thing to remember about hydrogen sulfide gas, at high levels in the air it poses a danger. Therefore one should always take steps to properly vent any area where the gas may build up, such as around the well head, basements where well water enters, etc. Entering an area that has a built up hydrogen gas in the air could very well prove fatal without the right protective gear so if a you suspect a buildup, call in a professional.

Testing for hydrogen sulfide in water… Difficult?

Before you can choose a hydrogen sulfide removal systems you must first know how much you have present — or risk purchasing and installing the wrong size or type of filter!

While the majority of people will have the ability to pick up the distinct aroma (odor!) of rotten eggs in a sample of water, most people do not know that it takes only a small amount of hydrogen sulfide gas in water to make quite a huge stink. Therefore you will need a test kit for hydrogen sulfide to determine how much you have.

For drinking water applications, the Low Range Hydrogen Sulfide Test Kit will work quite well since it has a low detection level of 0.3 parts per million hydrogen sulfide and an upper detection limit of 2.0 ppm. Most people with a hydrogen sulfide problem will have a level somewhere in that range.

Testing for hydrogen sulfide in industry?

OK, since we know some people in industry have uses for water containing much greater concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, we figure they, too, may want to test hydrogen sulfide levels — and for them we suggest the WaterWorks Hydrogen Sulfide Test Kit which has a detection range of 5 ppm to 80 ppm and gives results in under a minute.

Hydrogen Sulfide Test Kit
for Drinking Water

Hydrogen Sulfide Test Kit
for Industrial Applications

What is a Pool Tree?

Test For Admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:28:57 +0000

In recent years pool accessory manufacturers have come up with all sort of interesting gadgets designed to make opening pools in the Spring easier, less time-consuming, and less painful in terms of manual labor. Devices include mesh covers which allow rain and snow water to pass through, winter cover clips which hold above ground cover edges in place, water bags for above ground pools that also help to hold cover edges in place, and ‘unbreakable’ aqua blocks to replace the single water tubes and double water tubes that squirrels, chipmunks and other animals seem to enjoy chewing holes in every year.

Looking for the latest and greatest way to keep unwanted debris off of your winter cover and out of your swimming pool? If so, then you may want to take a look at the Pool Tree.

Featuring an innovative and interesting design that supports your winter cover and eliminates the need for awkward air pillows, the Pool Tree has the potential to save you time, money and frustration when it comes time to open your pool back up in the Spring.

When used in conjunction with a mesh cover, water from rain and snow passes through the cover and the angle created by the Pool Tree makes it nearly impossible for leaves and other forms of blowing debris to get stuck on the cover.

When used in conjunction with a solid winter cover, the downward and outward sloping angle created by the Pool Tree forces collected water and debris all the way out the edge of the pool and/or over the side of the pool — making clearing off the cover a simple process.

The A/G (above ground) Pool Tree works with both solid and mesh winter covers and will fit round pools up to 27′ in diameter and oval pools up to 18′ x 36′ in size.

The I/G (inground) Pool Tree works exclusively with SAFETY COVERS ONLY and will fit inground pools up to 20′ x 40′ in size.

Swimming Pool Covers w/ 10-Year Warranties — In the Swim

Test For Admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:28:45 +0000

12 ft Round Pool Winter Cover

12 x 24 Oval Pool Winter Cover

15 ft Round Pool Winter Cover

15 x 30 Oval Pool Winter Cover

16 x 25 Oval Pool Winter Cover

16 x 32 Oval Pool Winter Cover

18 ft Round Pool Winter Cover

18 x 33 Oval Pool Winter Cover

21 ft Round Pool Winter Cover

21 x 41 Oval Pool Winter Cover

24 ft Round Pool Winter Cover

28 ft Round Pool Winter Cover

30 ft Round Pool Winter Cover

33 ft Round Pool Winter Cover

If you live in area with high winds, you may want to consider using cover clips to secure your above ground winter cover. When used properly, winter cover clips can keep strong gusts of wind from getting underneath your winter cover and possibly causing it to come off of your pool. The winter pool covers listed below come with clips so you won’t need to pick them up separately:

Durable Round Air Pillow

Pool Chemical Winterizing Kits

Winter Cover Cable & Winch

Water Tubes for Winter Covers

Test For Admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:28:03 +0000

So let’s assume your winter cover survived last year’s blizzards and the squirrels didn’t get to it over the Summer. Did the water tubes (sometimes called water bags) survive as well? If not, then the following links will definitely come in handy.

Single Water Tube

Double Water Tube

Corner Water Tube

Pool Winterizing Information on Pool-Water-Testing.Com

Water Testing Blog — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:37:17 +0000

Although many areas of the country continue to experience above average temperatures, the fact remains that the end of the 2010 swimming season has almost arrived. That means most pool owners have already started thinking about the things they’ll need to properly close up their pool.

Often making the list of things that pool owners need to pick up at the end of swimming season: winterizing chemicals, above ground winter covers, inground winter covers, and pool line anti-freeze.

When it comes to closing up a swimming pool most people, as a general rule, will add some form of shock treatment, a winter algaecide and a stain preventative to their pool water before putting on the cover. If closed properly, and nothing causes the cover to rip, a pool owner will remove the cover in the Spring and have crystal-clear water.

So anyways, the folks over at Pool Water Testing Blog have started posting stuff related to closing up swimming pools so if you happen to own a swimming pool and need to know where to get the correct pool closing supplies, those folks know a lot more about that sort of thing than we do… so go and check ‘em out!

Recently posted on Pool Water Testing Blog:

Safety Covers Can Make a World of Difference

Test For Admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:33:57 +0000

Whether you believe it or not, hundreds of people of all ages drown each year after falling into uncovered swimming pools. Seems like an insane statistic, but never-the-less a very real — and very scary — statistic. Some folks fall in by accident and others wind up drowning while trespassing. In either case, a swimming pool safety cover might have saved their lives.

Don’t take just our word for it, though. Loop-Loc, a leader in the swimming pool safety cover industry for more than 20years has compiled a list reasons why they think more people should consider investing in a safety cover:

Mesh construction lets rain, melting snow and ice drain into the pool rather than collect in a stagnant pool on top of the cover that people and pets could accidentally drown in.
Since the top of safety covers stay dry pretty much all the time, blowing dirt, leaves and other types of yard debris do not collect on top of the pool.
Safety covers stay more or less mess-free, look better than stagnant bodies of water, and will require no pumping or leaf removal in the Spring.
Since safety covers get made to fit your pool, you won’t have any areas with less coverage or not-as-secure coverage.
Stainless steel springs hold tension in the cover to keep unwanted and/or accidental intruders out of the water.
Brass anchors lay flush in the deck around the pool and leave the pool area uncluttered year-round.
Mesh safety covers have very low weight to area ratios but can resist approximately 600 pounds of force per square inch.
The lightweight nature of safety mesh covers make them convenient enough to put on and remove on a daily basis if desired.
Securing springs connect to the anchors in a few minutes time and stay in place for as long as needed.
Unwanted intruders cannot remove the cover without using a custom tool from Loop-Loc and that makes Loop-Loc Safety Covers practically tamper-proof.
Mesh safety covers require far less cleaning so opening your pool in the Spring will take a lot less time.
Depending upon where you live and the company insuring your home/property, a properly installed mesh safety cover may reduce your homeowner’s liability insurance rates.
Again, depending upon where you live, some areas may allow homeowners to use a properly installed mesh safety covers in place of a four-sided fence around the pool area. Please check with local officials to verify laws in your area.
Mesh safety covers offer custom options that traditional types of winter covers simply cannot match. In the case of Loop-Loc Safety Covers, owners get the advantages and protection afforded by SAFEDGE (a child safety intrusion barrier that meets raised walls, rocks or steps) and GAP GUARD which closes gaps caused by varying levels around the pool.
Mesh safety covers blend seamlessly into your yard’s landscape.

Do mesh safety covers mean you can skip using a Winterizing Chemical Kit? Absolutely not! Without chemicals to keep algae and other organic matter at bay, your non-circulating, closed pool will become a smelly green swamp!

Most closing kits feature, at a minimum, the following chemicals: Some form of shock (chlorine or non-chlorine based), some form of algaecide, and a stain preventative. As options some winterizing kits will also include phosphate removers that will make it difficult for algae to grow in the Spring and/or a device to trap contaminants such as suntan oils, body oils, etc. that would otherwise drop out of suspension and stick to pool surfaces once water temperatures drop.

Winter Covers for Above Gound Swimming Pools — Cantar

Test For Admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:27:26 +0000

Looking for an affordable winter cover that will… cover your pool and keep bugs, leaves, dirt and devris out of the water? If so, then the Cantar line of above gound winter pool covers has everything you seek — and more.

Constructed with durable, tough polyethylene material fashioned from DOW Resin.

Designed not to split, crack, tear or dry rot in cold weather.

Sturdy in nature, yet still lightweight and easy to maneuver.

Features lap-welded, reinforced seams to help prevent ripping and fraying.

Manufactured with double thick, double stitched outer edges to guard against rips on the ends and corners.

Included brass grommets, heavy rope and the Quick-Ty winch make securing the cover a fast and easy process.

‘Classic’ covers come with a 7-year warranty.

‘Estate’ covers come with a 10-year warranty.

Treats Pools Up to 7,500 Gallons

Treats Pools Up to 15,000 Gallons

Treats Pools Up to 30,000 Gallons

‘Classic’ covers come with 7 year warranties.

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL COVER SIZE RND 15 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE OVL 12′X24′ FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE OVL 15X30 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE OVL 16X25 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE OVL 16X32 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE OVL 18X34 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE RND 12 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE RND 18 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE RND 21 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE RND 24 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR CLASSIC AG POOL SIZE RND 27/28 W/ CABLE & WINCH

Click for more cover sizes

‘Estate’ covers come with 10 year warranties.

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE OVL 12X24 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE OVL 15X30 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE OVL 16X25 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE OVL 16X32 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE OVL 18X34 W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE RND 15 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE RND 18 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE RND 21 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE RND 24 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

CANTAR ESTATE AG POOL SIZE RND 28 FT W/ CABLE & WINCH

Click for more cover sizes

Protective Covers for Pool Heaters

Test For Admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:15:36 +0000

During the fall and early spring months trees and other plant-life shed a ton of leaves, twigs, seeds and pine needles which if allowed to sit inside your heater will trap moisture and could facilitate premature corrosion of expensive parts.

Now that you have acquired a quality winter cover and protected your diving board with a Weather-Out Diving Board Cover, you should now think about getting a cover for your pool heater if you have one.

Swimming pool heaters typically cost a good amount of money and have a number of delicate parts that could easily get damaged over the winter months if not properly protected.

A Weather-Out Pool Heater Cover uses a high quality, very durable vinyl exterior to resist tears and other types of damage from things like UV rays while providing the pool heater shelter from rain, salt water spray, sprinkler systems, ice, snow, leaves, and other forms of potentially damaging debris.

Another key benefit of the Weather-Out Pool Heater Cover: By using a non-woven interior lining that does not retain moisture, the heater will not get subjected to condensation while covered. Also, the generous fit of the cover will allow plenty of air to flow around the heater, resulting in a clean, dry heater.

You won’t have to worry about having to disconnect plumbing lines, either. A heavy-duty velcro seam will let you easily install and remove the heater cover without turning a single screw.