| There are various water testing techniques with | | | | bottom of the water. Use a clean water bottle and |
| which one can test their drinking water for certain | | | | seal the cap while still submerged. Store the sample in |
| substances and contaminants. There are several easy | | | | a dark room or cabinet for approximately five days |
| to use home-based techniques. A few of them will | | | | before conducting the test. It is also advisable to |
| be discussed here. | | | | wrap the bottle in black construction paper. |
| Dissolved Oxygen | | | | Change in Temperature |
| To test for dissolved oxygen, a sample should be | | | | To test for a change in water temperature, dip a |
| collected roughly five feet from the bank of the | | | | thermometer at least five feet from the water |
| water source, approximately halfway between the | | | | source's bank, just below the water's surface. Try to |
| surface and the bottom of the water. If using a | | | | avoid areas in which trees shade the water. Dip the |
| titration kit, seal with a bottle stopper while the | | | | thermometer for at least thirty seconds before |
| bottle is still submerged. Test immediately after | | | | recording. Try to test two areas of the same source |
| collecting the sample and avoid as much air contact | | | | that are as far apart as possible. To find the |
| as possible. | | | | temperature change, subtract the upstream |
| Testing pH Levels | | | | temperature reading from the downstream |
| If testing the drinking water for its pH level, collect a | | | | temperature reading. |
| sample at approximately five feet from the water | | | | Total Phosphates |
| source's bank, halfway between the water's surface | | | | In this testing technique, the search will be for |
| and bottom. Use a beaker to collect the sample and | | | | phosphates. Use acid-washed bottles for this test. |
| test immediately, using a pH meter. Avoid placing the | | | | Collect the sample from at least five feet from the |
| pH meter directly into the water source, as this may | | | | bank, midway between the surface and bottom of |
| return incorrect data. | | | | the water. Store the sample in a refrigerator up to |
| Biochemical Oxygen | | | | forty-eight hours before conducting the test. Only |
| In this testing technique, the sample should be | | | | acid-washed glassware should be used, rather than |
| collected from about five feet from the water | | | | phosphorus-washed glassware. |
| source's bank, halfway between the surface and | | | | |