How can you test whether water is contaminated by chemicals?

Question

Is there a simple home test you can do or do you have to have it tested professionally in a laboratory?

Answer 1

ACTIVE STANDARD: ASTM D5660-96(2004) Standard Test Method for Assessing the Microbial Detoxification of Chemically Contaminated Water and Soil Using a Toxicity Test with a Luminescent Marine Bacterium
Developed by Subcommittee: D34.03.01
See Related Work by this Subcommittee
Adoptions:
Book of Standards Volume: 11.04




1. Scope



1.1 This test method (1) covers a procedure for the rapid evaluation of the toxicity of wastewaters and aqueous extracts from contaminated soils and sediments, to the luminescent marine bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum, prior to and following biological treatment. This test method is meant for use as a means to assess samples resulting from biotreatability studies. Sensitivity data for P. phosphoreum to over 1300 chemicals have been reported in the literature (2). Some of the publications are very relevant to this test method (3). The data obtained from this test method, when combined with respirometry, total organic carbon (TOC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), or spectrophotometric data, can assist in the determination of the degree of biodegradability of a contaminant in water, soil, or sediment (3). The percentage difference between the IC20 of treated and untreated sample is used to assess the progress of detoxification.

1.2 This test method is applicable to the evaluation of the toxicity (to a specific microbe) and its implication on the biodegradation of aqueous samples from laboratory research bio-reactors (liquid or soil), pilot-plant biological treatment systems, full-scale biological treatment systems, and land application processes (see Note 1 and 2).

Note 1—If the biologically treated material is to be discharged in such a manner as to potentially impact surface waters and ground water, or both, then the user must consult appropriate regulatory guidance documents to determine the proper test species for evaluating potential environmental impact (4). Correlations between data concerning reduction in toxicity produced by this test method and by procedures for acute or short-term chronic toxicity tests, or both, utilizing invertebrates and fish (see Guides E 729 and E 1192), should be established, wherever possible.

Note 2—Color (especially red and brown), turbidity, and suspended solids interfere with this test method by absorbing or reflecting light. In these situations data are corrected for these effects by use of an absorbance correction procedure included in this test method (see 5.3, 6.1, and 6.2).

1.3 The results of this test method are reported in terms of an inhibitory concentration (IC), which is the calculated concentration of sample required to produce a specific quantitative and qualitative inhibition. The inhibition measured is the quantitative reduction in light output of luminescent marine bacteria (that is, IC20 represents the calculated concentration of sample that would produce a 20 % reduction in the light output of exposed bacteria over a specified time).

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information

Answer 2

There isn't too much you can test for at home. You can easily test for dissolved solids (a part per million measurement of the conductivity of the water, and some things like Calcium or Magnesium are actually good for you), but that doesn't tell what is dissolved in the water. You can probably test pH and maybe even free chlorine at home. Everything else probably needs to be done at a lab.

If you have public drinking water (not a well) then you will have more access to information. Every municipality is required to test their water frequently and are required to provide periodic updates of their water quality statistics to their customers.

Since every municipality must test their water frequently there are a lot of labs out there to test water. Even when you go to a lab, you really need to know what you are looking for. There are many different tests that can be done and they vary in cost from ~$100 to over $1000.

I know that didn't directly answer your question, but I hope the information helped! Good luck!

Answer 3

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Answer 4

It depends on what chemicals you want to test for.

If it's contaminated with salt, you can use a taste test, where you put the water on your tongue, for example.

Answer 5

i'd have it done properly at a lab!! there are home testing kita available but i would still feel safer having it tested properly
Good Luck