What if you need to determine if your water supply contains coliform bacteria or e-coli? Do you take it to a lab?
But what if the lab is very far away? What if they charge you more money than you are willing to pay? What if, after a disaster, there simply isn’t a lab available?
What you need is a reliable, do-it-yourself test that is inexpensive and easy to use. Such a test kit is available and it is called the First Alert Drinking Water Test Kit (WT1).
Here’s why you need it:
– tests for the presence of coliforms or e-coli down to 1 cfu/100 mL of water — that means you can have a test that is as sensitive as laboratory tests but without the cost and hassle;
– reliable results in two days at room temperature or within a day if the sample can be maintained at 35 C. This is the same time frame or faster than you would get results from a lab.
– It is only $12-$20 — inexpensive and readily available;
– Great to keep three or four in your emergency kit. In an emergency, you’ll likely end up relying on a surface water source. Of course, you’ll use chemical tablets or a good filter to remove pathogens. But knowing if coliform bacteria are present in the source would be of very helpful. If they are not, you could use untreated water for limited purposes such as washing and bathing with less worry.
– it is also great for periodically checking your water source at your cottage or cabin. If you find there is contamination you can install an inexpensive UV system to inactivate any bacteria. This do-it-yourself test kit makes it much easier to give yourself assurance that your water is safe.
– also instantly checks for lead, pesticides, nitrates, chlorine, hardness and PH levels of the water