Water Quality Test Equipment

Preparing to test water quality

Water quality testing is important to ensure clean water for drinking and before the release of wastewater into the environment. The testing equipment ranges from simple pH meters to sophisticated analytical apparatus and tests the physical, chemical and biological properties of water.

Physical

Testing the physical properties of water can be quite simple and is usually done with types of meters and electrodes. Conductivity and pH meters have a probe that can be placed into a water sample to gain a value. Turbidity meters use a light source to measure the suspended solids within a water sample. The cost for this type of equipment ranges from under $100 to well over $1000, depending upon sophistication.

Chemical

Chemical properties can be summed up as nutrients, toxins and organic compounds present in the water. Equipment needed for testing the chemical properties of water is highly sensitive and only trained technicians should operate it. Colorimeters, chromatography systems and spectrometers cost several thousand dollars.

Biological

Biological testing examines the living organisms found in water. Equipment needed to test for microorganisms include incubators, agar plates, microscopes and monitoring systems to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. Costs vary significantly depending on type of equipment.

References

• "Chemical and Biological Properties of Drinking Water..." University of Georgia. Sonon L. 1-5
• Adopt-a-Stream: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Parameters
• Cornell University: Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory

Resources

• Adopt-a-Stream: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Parameters