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Science Kit Instructions

WaterSafe® All-in-one and Science Project Kit Instructions

The Test Kit contains everything you need to find out simply and accurately if your water contains unsafe or undesirable levels of 8 common contaminants. Follow the instructions carefully for each test, and compare results to the desired values. Drinking water which tests outside the desired values may be dangerous to your health.


Water Test Desired Values

EPA maximum contaminant levels and/or guidelines:
BacteriaNone
Lead Below 15 ppb
Pesticides Below 3ppb (atrazine), Below 4ppb (simazine)
Nitrite Below 1.0 ppm
Total Nitrate/Nitrite Below 10.0 ppm
Total Chlorine Below 4 ppm
pH 6.5 to 8.5
Total Hardness 50 ppm or less (water is drinkable up to 500 ppm)


Before you begin...

1. All-in-one Test Kit and Science Project Kits contain different number of water tests. However they contain at least one test of the following types:
- Bacteria Test Vial
- Lead / Pesticide Test Packet
- Nitrate / Nitrite Test Packet
- pH / Hardness / Chlorine Test Packet

2. Keep tests out of reach of children or pets. Do not ingest anything from this test kit. Do not drink water sample used for testing.
Store and use at room temperature (60-86 F).
Do not use on hot water or water containing bleach detergents. Do not re-use any part of the test kit.
3. Do not open packets or vial until you are ready to perform the tests.
4. Read and follow all instructions carefully.


Bacteria Test Instructions

1. Take out the Bacteria Test vial and set upright on a flat surface.
2. Collect water sample or turn on tap to a very slow stream.
3. Carefully twist off cap and fill vial to 1/2 inch below the top (to 5 ml line). DO NOT OVERFILL and DO NOT SPILL the bacterial growth powder in the vial.
4. Replace cap and twist on tightly. Shake the vial vigorously for 20 seconds.
5. Place the capped vial upright in a warm area (70-90 F) where it cannot be disturbed for 48 hrs.
6. After 48 hrs., observe the color of the liquid without opening the vial:

Purple Color: Negative Result
(No bacteria were detected).
Yellow Color: Positive Result
(It is highly likely that potentially harmful bacteria were detected).
Bacteria Test Results, negative, purpleBacteria Test Results, positive, yellow
7. For positive results, add bleach to the sample before pouring down the toilet, then wash hands carefully. Negative samples may be poured directly into the toilet. Discard vial in the trash.


Lead / Pesticide Test Instructions

The Watersafe Lead Test can detect dissolved lead at levels below the EPA Action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). Pesticide Test detects two of the most common pesticides used in the US at or below the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (atrazine - 3 ppb, and simazine - 4 ppb).

1. Open Lead / Pesticide packet and take out all contents. The packet contains a test vial, a dropper pipette, two test strips, and a desiccant (to be discarded).

2. Using dropper, place exactly TWO dropper-full of water sample into test vial. To pick up the sample, tightly squeeze the bulb at the end of the dropper and place the open end into the water sample. Release the bulb to pick up the sample, then squeeze again to expel the sample into the vial.

3. Swirl vial gently for several seconds. Place on a flat surface.

4. Place both test strips into the test vial, with arrows pointing DOWN.

5. Wait 10 minutes. Do not disturb strips or vial during this time. Blue lines will appear on the strips.

6. Take the strips out of the vial and lay them on a flat surface with the arrows pointing to the LEFT.
Read Results.

If you only see the LEFT line (next to number 1), the test is negative)

Negative: The LEFT line (next to number 1) is darker than the RIGHT line (next to number 2)
Negative lead pesticides test results strip

Positive: The RIGHT line (next to number 2) is darker than the LEFT line (next to number 1), or lines are equally dark (Both LEFT and RIGHT lines are equally dark)
Positive lead pesticides test results strip

7. Note: If no lines appear, or both lines are very light, the test did not run properly and the result is not valid. If a test strip shows a positive result, your water sample may contain lead or pesticides at a toxic level.

Nitrate / Nitrite Test Instructions

1.Carefully open Nitrate / Nitrite Test packet and take out test strip.
2. Immerse the reagent pads into water sample for 2 seconds, remove, after 1 minute match colors with the chart below.
3. Colors are stable for 1 minute.

Total Nitrate/Nitrite (as N) (end pad)
Water Test Results for nitrate nitrite

Nitrite (as N) (pad nearest handle)
Water Test Results for Nitrite strip


pH | Hardness | Chlorine Test Instructions

1. Carefully open pH/ Hardness/ Chlorine Test packet and take out test strip.
2. Immerse the reagent pads into the water sample and remove immediately. Hold the strip level for 15 seconds.
3. Match pH,Total Hardness and Total Chlorine Pads (in that order) to the color chart below.

pH (end pad)
Water Test Results for pH strip

LR Total Hardness (middle pad)
Water Test Results for Total Hardness strip

Total Chlorine (pad nearest handle)
Water Test Results for Total Chlorine strip

Go back to WaterSafe Drinking Water Test Kit, all-in-one or WaterSafe Science project kit, 4-pack


Well Water Test Kit

Well Water Test Kit WS-425W uses additional parameters for testing, which are not found on City water or Science Kits.

  • Copper - EPA Guidelines: 1.3 ppm
  • Iron - EPA Guidelines: 0.3 ppm

Copper Test Instructions
1. Collect fresh water sample.
2. Open packet and remove copper test strip
3. Immerse the reagent pad on a test strip into a sample for 30 seconds, waving back and forth.
4. Remove strip, shake excess water.
5. Wait 2 minutes
6. Match results to a color chart.

Iron Test Instructions
1. Collect fresh water sample.
2. Open packet and remove copper test strip
3. Immerse the reagent pad on a test strip into a sample for 5 seconds, waving back and forth.
4. Remove strip, shake excess water.
5. Wait 2 minutes
6. Match results to a color chart.