Water is the most important component of all living things, no one doubts this for a long time. Our health depends on the quality and purity of water.
Unfortunately, the technogenic conditions of modern civilization make entire lakes unfit for drinking, so it is very important to know how to determine the purity of water, especially if you are far from your usual source.
How can you check the purity of water at home without resorting to special tools?
Before tasting, check the water for color and transparency. Pour water into a transparent glass and read any text through it, if the text is visible well, then the transparency is good. Let the water stand for 10 minutes, then check if a precipitate has formed.
Any haze and flakes should alert you. Keep the same glass against the background of a white sheet of paper, take a closer look at whether the water is colored in any color? Pure water should not have color.
To evaluate the smell of water, first smell the water at room temperature, then repeat the smell test by heating the water to 20 and then to 60 degrees Celsius. Heating allows the processes of decomposition of organic matter in the water to begin and to reveal a putrefactive odor. Pure water will not have a pronounced odor in all specified temperature conditions. This does not apply to mineral water sources, where the smell, on the contrary, is one of the characteristics.
Now test the water for hardness. Wet your hands with water and lather your hands with soap. If the foam is good, the water is soft; if it is bad, the water is hard. An increased content of magnesium and calcium salts leads to the effect of hard water, this is due to the layers of soil through which water flows. Other signs of hard water are limescale, flaking deposits when boiled, white deposits on plumbing fixtures, and a bluish color to the water. Hard water is possible to use, but not for a long time.
The next check method is with a mirror or glass. Put a few drops of water on a clean surface, wait for complete evaporation. The surface must be clean and free from visible stains.
If the water has passed all the previous tests, then it is time to taste it. Try water at room temperature first, then heat it up to 60 degrees Celsius and try again, in this temperature regime all the best and not so good will appear.
What flavors are allowed? Slightly salty taste from dissolved salts. The bitterness of water from magnesium, which also gives hardness to water. Sour taste from carbon dioxide, this is mineral water. The metallic taste can be from iron and manganese. A slight taste is acceptable, if the taste is clear and distinct, then it is better to refrain from drinking this water.
Last advice for extreme conditions, the old Cossack method. Spit in the water and see if the spit “disperses”? This means running water. If the spit retains its shape or spreads slowly, then the water is stagnant, possibly putrid, you should not drink it, even after boiling.
The above methods are good, but laboratory analysis will allow you to see through your water.
If they tell you that running water may not contain iron, do not believe it. Metal enters wells and wells from dissolved rocks(their particles are contained in the soil), from Wastewater agricultural and industrial enterprises, accumulates when liquid passes through central system water supply (the condition of the pipes often leaves much to be desired). In such a situation, the analysis of water for iron becomes an urgent need.
At the same time, WHO has not yet established recommended standards: according to scientists, iron will not have a negative impact on human health, even if “saturated” water is abused. The acceptable threshold (0.3 mg / l) was designated by SanPin based on taste, not medical indicators.
Taking a bath in rusty water is a dubious pleasure
Iron in water: harm or benefit
Forms of iron in water
This is interesting: the body of an adult contains about 5 grams of iron, which is part of hemoglobin, myoglobin and various enzymes. Without this element, the normal process of hematopoiesis is impossible. Part of the iron is "stored" in the liver and spleen - this reserve is used in case of depletion of the body.
Water contains one or more iron compounds:
- Divalent (dissolved);
- Trivalent (in a state of suspension);
- Organic (combined with other substances);
- Bacterial (waste product of some microorganisms);
- Colloidal (with microscopic particles).
The presence of "additives" is not always visible to the naked eye, often only an express analysis of water for iron can reveal the problem.
Iron plays an important role in our body
Signs of excess iron
You can determine the presence of an impurity yourself. The first wake-up call is the appearance of a pronounced metallic taste (with a strong excess of the norm, this taste is felt even in coffee or tea). A yellowish or reddish coating appears on the walls of the dishes and the surface of the plumbing, which is difficult to wipe off without abrasive products. White linen after washing acquires a dirty shade, and colored quickly loses the brightness of colors. Wherein appearance water may not arouse suspicion at all.
Important! If you have equipped a well or a well on the site, you need to do an analysis of water for iron 2-3 weeks after the start of its operation. Subsequently, the procedure can be carried out every 2 years (or when the color or taste of the water changes).
Water analysis for iron
Express testing at home
The primary analysis of water for iron at home can be done in several ways:
- Mix 25 ml of water and 1 ml of sulfosalicylic acid, ammonia and ammonia. If after 15-20 minutes the solution turns bright yellow, it contains an admixture of iron.
- Mix a weak solution of potassium permanganate with a water sample. An alarming "bell" - a change in color to a yellowish-brown tint.
- Use an express water analysis for iron (“aquarist kit”). Mix the reagent with fluid samples according to the instructions and determine the degree of contamination by color intensity.
- Trivalent iron can be detected by a simple procedure - settling water.
How to check water quality
Iron reacts with oxygen and precipitates as a reddish-brown precipitate.
You can test for iron using a rapid test
Laboratory research
A more detailed analysis of water for iron (total or divalent) can be done in accredited laboratories. Ideally, this procedure should be carried out on site - during transportation, the oxidation process may begin, which will distort the results. If this is not possible, sampling should be carried out according to all the rules:
- Use clean plastic or glassware with a volume of at least 1.5 liters (you can take a bottle from non-carbonated mineral water).
- Fill the container to the very top and tighten the cork carefully to block air.
- Deliver samples within 2 hours. This period is critical in detecting iron ions - they are the ones that affect the formation of scale.
An analysis for total iron reveals the metal residue in water (what remains after the element reacts with oxygen). It is this sediment that is responsible for rusty streaks on plumbing and a yellowish coating on dishes.
Filters are installed at the water inlet to the house
How to reduce the concentration of iron in water
In water from wells and wells, divalent (dissolved) iron is most often detected. You can get rid of it with the help of a rather complex system of filters. At the inlet, ion-exchange cartridges are installed, in which the process of metal oxidation and the formation of a solid precipitate take place. The resulting "sand" is collected in the filter (cartridges need to be changed periodically). more expensive and efficient system- filters with reverse osmosis - under high pressure, it drives polluted water through special membranes, and disposes of all pollution and waste into the sewer.
Ferric iron can be disposed of with an aerator - an open reservoir in which water settles. To speed up the oxidation process, the liquid is saturated with oxygen using a compressor. An ordinary bucket can become a simple analogue of the system: draw water, and after a day, carefully drain about two-thirds.
Activated charcoal can be used for household water purification. Wrap the tablets in cotton wool and pass the liquid through a makeshift filter.
Important! Do not forget that home cleaning procedures can only be temporary. In order not to put your health at risk, timely analyze the water for iron and use professional filtration systems.
Video: water filter overview
Without water, as you know, there is no life. But drinking water is not the notorious H2O from a school chemistry course. Even distilled water, in addition to the hydrogen-oxygen compound, contains impurities. What can we say about tap water, and even more so about ground water. The question of whether or not to drink dubious liquid from wells and wells is easily solved. A water sample (~1-1.5 l) is submitted for analysis to a certified laboratory and an official document with the main quality indicators is received. But what if there is no such laboratory nearby? Then it remains to independently conduct a water analysis at home.
Organoleptic analysis of drinking water at home
Quality drinking water regulate GOSTs and SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01. They indicate the requirements for organoleptic properties in terms of:
- smell,
- smack,
- color,
- turbidity.
Organoleptic analysis of water at home is an express diagnostic that does not require reagents and instruments. Water is simply poured into a glass container and its smell / taste is determined. It is optimal if the liquid does not smell of anything, without taste (0–1 point). A slight smell/taste is allowed (2 points). According to GOST, a score of 3 points or more (water clearly smells) - the liquid is unsuitable for internal use.
Please note: if the smell is pronounced, the water should not be drunk.
The standards of organoleptic indicators are regulated by SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01
The color is due to the content of colored substances in the water. organic matter present in humus; metals; industrial effluents.
According to SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01, chromaticity is not more than 20 degrees. In laboratories, the indicator is determined visually, using reagents and a special scale, and / or photometrically. At home, color can only be assessed “by eye” by placing a white sheet behind a glass container with water. Light coloring is admissible only for ground waters.
Water transparency is determined visually. When viewed against the light, the liquid is absolutely transparent, which means that the water can be drunk. The incomplete transparency of groundwater is due to the presence of iron hydroxide. Such water can be drunk after settling. A grayish tint indicates an excess of manganese.
Please note: prolonged use of water with an excess of iron hydroxide is fraught with the development of degenerative processes in organs.
How to do a water test at home
Required test systems
Test kits can be purchased from water filter companies and pet stores that stock aquarist supplies. For a "home lab" you need:
- Standard kit for determining the pH (acidity) - pH.
- Test to determine the overall hardness - Gh.
- A kit that helps to determine the content of Fe2+.
- Test for determination of Fe3+ ions.
- Tests for nitrates, nitrites, manganese, ammonium, sulfides, fluorides.
They produce universal kits for water analysis: "Spring", "Well", "Well", "Professional".
The cost of test kits is from 275 to 1500 rubles
Imported express analysis kits provide more accurate results
Methodology
The pH measurement method depends on the kit used.
Option number 1: moisten the litmus strip with water and compare the color with the color scale on the package.
Option number 2: the amount of water required according to the instructions is added to the bottle with the reagent, shaken. The test strip is moistened with the resulting solution and the color is compared with the attached scale.
How important is it to do a well water analysis?
The pH standard according to GOST is 6.5–9.
It is not difficult to determine the pH of a liquid: the wetted strip is combined with an identical color on the scale and look at the corresponding value.
Determination of total hardness: measure the volume of water required according to the instructions in a special container. Then the reagent is added dropwise and the vial is shaken. When the liquid changes color and becomes olive green, the analysis is complete. The number of drops corresponds to the degree of hardness. According to GOST, rigidity up to 7 is permissible (in exceptional cases - up to 10).
Method for identifying Fe2+ and Fe3+. The required volume of water and the supplied reagents are added to the flask from the kit. The amount of ferrous iron is estimated by the intensity of the color change. Similarly, carry out the analysis for ferric iron. There are tests to determine the amount of total iron.
Indicators chemical composition water from wells / wells usually exceeds the norm in terms of iron, manganese, calcium
It's nice to feel like an analytical chemist and check the quality of water without leaving home. But it is still better and more reliable to order an analysis in the laboratory. A professional conclusion is a detailed table of the main indicators of drinking water. Home testing is very approximate.
Sergey
How to check the quality of water from a well at home?
When it is not possible to connect to a centralized water supply, it is logical that water from a well or is used for household and household needs. But are you sure about its quality? In order not to endanger yourself, you need to check the water from time to time for the presence of contaminants and harmful substances. For this, it is not necessary to contact the laboratory - the procedure can be performed at home. Let's see how to do it.
Water preparation for testing
To get accurate test results, you need to correctly take water samples for analysis.
- Use only glass or plastic containers not exceeding 1.5 liters in volume. Containers for sweet carbonated drinks are not suitable here - there may be deposits of dyes and chemicals on their walls.
- The container for analysis must be sterile.
- Water should be taken immediately from a pipe connected to a well or well: open the tap and wait 5-10 minutes until the stagnant liquid drains.
To check the quality of water, collect it in a transparent container
- Rinse the container before using hot water without the use of chemicals.
- Fill the container under a weak pressure of water: if the pressure is powerful, excess oxygen will enter the liquid, and this will provoke unnatural chemical reactions.
- The container must be filled to the brim, and then closed with an airtight lid.
The first time water from a well or well should be checked only after all dust, sand and soil particles raised during earthworks have settled. Further, already during the operation of the source, the analysis should be carried out once a year.
Advice. If the site is located in close proximity to industrial enterprises, water from a well or well should be checked at least once every six months.
Water analysis and purification
Having prepared the water, proceed to its analysis for color, taste, smell and other external properties. Depending on the results of the test, take the appropriate action to clean up the household liquid.
If the water is cloudy, it means that the strainer does not cope with its function - it is often clogged with sand and clay. Most easy way get rid of this problem - clean the already used filter or install a new one.
A more serious cause of water turbidity is groundwater penetration into a well or well through concrete rings or a caisson. In this case, you need to perform a number of maintenance work:
If water quality is poor, install filters
- pump out water;
- clean the walls of the well or well from deposits and disinfect them;
- clear the bottom of silt;
- seal the seams of the rings and check the caisson for integrity.
If the water has a specific metallic taste and smell, there is an excess of iron in it. Special filters will help to reduce its concentration: reagent or non-reagent. The former purify water from iron by means of chemical reactions, and the second - by adding filter substances.
If the water has a rotten smell, it has too much hydrogen sulfide. You can reduce its amount using a carbon filter - it will eliminate excess hydrogen sulfide through adsorption.
If solid sediment and scale accumulate in electrical appliances that use water, install a filter in the well or well to soften the liquid.
Important! To prevent re-deterioration of water quality, regularly check the condition of installed cleaning filters and change their working elements.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in checking water from a well or well. Competent sampling and careful analysis will allow you to correctly determine the quality of the liquid, and the proposed simple cleaning steps will improve its condition even at home.
How to check the quality of water from a well: video
The easiest way to evaluate the suitability of water for drinking is to make its external examination. The liquid should not contain any particles, it should be completely transparent. If so, then you can try the "drink". The absence of taste and foreign smell indicates that such water is most likely from a natural source, for example, a spring. But such a liquid in the city, in a water tap, is a rarity. You can only find it in the store, in plastic bottles. And even then it is recommended to trust trusted manufacturers in this case.
If you still have doubts about the quality of the liquid, then you can continue research. To do this, pour the "preparation" into a small container (0.2-0.3 liters) and let the water stand in a dark, cool place under a loosely closed lid for 3-5 days. At the end of this period, you can visually consider the "laboratory" result. The presence of sediment, a cloudy film on the surface, plaque, dirt on the walls, as well as the appearance indicate an extremely low quality of the liquid, which cannot be drunk in a “raw” form.
Other ways
Bring the water to a boil and examine the contents: the presence of a black or gray precipitate indicates that there is a lot of lime in the liquid. You can drink this water, but it is not recommended to pour it into the washing machine. If yellow, or a dirty scale appears, then this indicates the presence of a large amount of iron or its oxides. Another reason for this phenomenon may be the origin of the liquid from sources with a high content of peat.
There are other unusual methods: you can, for example, accurately weigh water and compare its mass with a reference sample - spring water, for example. Lighter liquid - more, because. various impurities also have mass. You can also check the properties with a pipette: drop it on a mirror and let the water dry. The remaining unclear trace indicates low quality. Some citizens make a weak solution of potassium permanganate from the liquid being tested: yellow indicates a negative test result.
Finally, the “smaller brothers” who are more knowledgeable in this matter will “tell you” about the quality of the liquid. In the presence of an aquarium with molluscs that cannot tolerate impurities in their habitat, you can add a little of the composition to be checked into the container. If the inhabitants of the aquarium do not like this, they will immediately close their shell houses.
Perhaps everyone should think about how to check the quality of water at home. Few people go to the laboratory due to being busy, and our people do not like to spend money on tests, to wait a long time for the results of examinations. This is how we are arranged: we want fast, accurate and ... for free.
The main criterion in assessing the quality of water is its hardness, or the content of potassium and magnesium salts. High concentrations of these substances worsen taste qualities water and adversely affect human health.
After all, as you know, harmful salts tend to accumulate in the body, disrupt the processes of digestion and metabolism, and cause chronic diseases. Therefore, quality control of the daily water consumed is a must if you want to stay healthy for many years.
How to check water hardness at home using a device
The fact that the water from the tap is quite hard will tell the kettle and the boiler: the more scale is formed, the more salts are dissolved in the water. However, to obtain a quantitative indicator without having measuring instrument, you won't be able to.
Salt meters have been on the market for a long time, but few people know about these useful household meters. I propose to consider the process of assessing water quality using the example of the SOEKS Ecovisor F4 device - a multifunctional device environmental control. You can find out about all its useful functions. Now let's consider in more detail only the salt meter function.
The built-in TDS meter measures the content of dissolved solids TDS - total dissolved solids in relation to a million ppm (parts per million) water particles. In the ecovisor, the process of checking water quality is simple and intuitive, and the result is immediately compared with the norm.
To make measurements, it is necessary to remove the protective cap from the measuring probe and enter the “salt gauge” mode.
After that, the device is ready for measurements: just dip the probe into the water to get ready-made readings in a matter of seconds with a color indication that warns if the water is suitable for consumption. If the rate is exceeded, the installation of a filter for cleaning is required.
How to test drinking water at home if there is no device
Water quality can be assessed by visual testing.
Let's heat the water from the tap
If the water heated to 20 ° C has acquired an unpleasant taste and smell, it is not recommended to eat it without pre-treatment (cleaning, boiling).
When heated to 60 ° C, the taste perception is further enhanced. It is important that there is no taste of bitterness or salt, metal or acid. A slight tingling on the tongue indicates a high alkali content.
Pour water into a glass
Transparent glass will allow you to assess how pure water. The presence of even a slight cloudy shade indicates the presence of unacceptable solid impurities and the need to install a filter. The exception is samples of well or well water, which may contain useful mineral salts and a solid residue that settles during a short settling.
Let's try to wash or cook soup
In hard water, soap and washing powder foam very poorly, boiling takes longer, vegetables boil less, meat remains tough even after many hours of boiling. If these signs are noticed, preliminary cleaning with special aqua filters is mandatory before consuming water for food or drink.
Let's make tea
Prepare your favorite drink and see if a film has formed on the surface of the liquid, the hardness of the water used is higher than normal. Muting the pleasant aroma of coffee and tea also indicates poor water quality.
Let's cook.. boiling water
If, after a single boil of water in a perfectly clean pan, limescale and sediment immediately form, the water is too hard.
Harmful effects of daily drinking of poor quality water
A one-time excess of the norm will not bring significant harm, and the body will cope with a stressful situation. However, with the constant exposure to harmful factors, the protective systems fail and serious problems appear: salt deposits develop in the joints, there is a slow slagging of tissues and the digestive system.
The main negative consequences of poor water quality for the body:
- Deterioration of the skin condition: clogging of pores, disruption of the sebaceous glands. The skin becomes dry and prematurely fades.
- Unhealthy, unkempt appearance and stiffness of the hair, dandruff, irritation and itching of the scalp.
- Gradually develops urolithiasis disease, since the kidneys can not cope with the abundance of harmful salts entering the body.
- Osteochondrosis develops, the full functioning of the joints is disrupted.
Chronic diseases are only aggravated over time, the body will experience increasing stress on the cleaning organs. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the problem of water quality in a timely manner in order to stay healthy as long as possible.
The best solution to the problem is to install a reverse osmosis filter that will purify all the water entering the apartment. So the health of the whole family will be safe, and it will also last much longer Appliances(washing machine, kettle, coffee maker, boiler, etc.). In addition, the expense detergents will be reduced by 30-50%, which will be a significant savings for the family budget.
If such a solution is not yet affordable, it is quite possible to confine oneself to an inexpensive option for installing a carbon filter, so that at least drinking water and the one used for cooking does not contain excessive harmful impurities.
stay healthy
Daily use of soft water improves the condition of hair and skin, which has a positive effect on overall health. The taste of cooked dishes and drinks is much more pleasant, their aroma is better manifested. This improves the quality of life in every way. It is worth checking how hard the tap water is and taking care of its purification in order to enjoy life without a bitter aftertaste!
When using well water, the key issue is its quality. Indeed, it may contain chemical elements and pathogenic microorganisms that can harm human health.
You can be sure of the safety of household members only after conducting research on its composition. How to properly analyze water from a well and disinfect it after checking, we will consider in more detail.
Water quality analysis services are provided by both public and private organizations. Each federal district has accredited laboratories that have the authority to conduct such studies.
These include:
- sanitary and epidemiological stations;
- geological laboratories;
- laboratories in regional offices of Vodokanal;
- in organizations related to geological exploration;
- laboratories at research institutes;
- accredited laboratories of Rospotrebnadzor.
The price depends on the type of study. The analysis can be abbreviated, aimed at identifying a specific group of substances, or complex, including chemical and microbiological research.
Each of the listed institutions has reagents approved by the GOST requirements and special equipment for testing water quality.
A biological group check will cost about one and a half thousand rubles. A full assessment of the condition will be about three thousand. In private laboratories, the cost of the service can be more expensive.
When choosing a laboratory, you should be guided by two parameters, these are:
- Location and remoteness of the organization- after all, the key to the reliability of the results is the speed of delivery of the sample to the laboratory.
- Positive reputation- it is a guarantee of the quality of research. Copies of high school diplomas and certificates can be requested from the manager of the selected organization.
Having decided on the choice of laboratory, it remains only to agree with the employees on the day of delivery of the sample so that the analysis can be carried out as soon as possible.
Sampling for analysis
To take a sample from the source and determine the quality of the water, choose the off-season period. During the spring and autumn months, surface waters are the most polluted. If they have the opportunity to penetrate the mine, then they will definitely affect the composition.
To check the quality of water from a newly built well, water for analysis should be taken no earlier than 3-4 weeks after its commissioning.
Water control is carried out only after a 3-week period of operation of the hydraulic structure. During this period, the pollution of the mine that occurred during the construction works, settle down, and the water - partially cleared.
To obtain reliable results from a well water test, it is important that the sample be taken correctly.
To do this, you need to follow a number of simple rules:
- The container for fluid intake should be made of transparent colorless glass or plastic. It can be a bottle of mineral or distilled water with a volume of 2 liters, or a glass two-liter bottle. It is unacceptable to use eggplants from sweet and low-alcohol drinks for these purposes, if they have not been previously washed without the use of detergents.
- When taking water from a well with a bucket, try to let it go a little lower than usual. This decision is explained by the fact that closer to the surface, the water may turn out to be stagnant, and at the very bottom it may include impurities of silt. Therefore, the best option would be the "golden mean".
- Before filling the dishes, they are rinsed with selected water. Well water is poured into the bottle in a thin stream so that it flows smoothly along the inner wall of the container. Non-pressure supply will prevent the saturation of water with oxygen from the air, thereby preventing the occurrence of chemical processes.
- The bottle is filled with liquid up to the very neck so that an air lock does not form in the container. If you are using plastic bottle, before tightly closing it with a lid, lightly squeeze the walls of the container, squeezing out the air.
- Water taken from the well should be delivered to the laboratory within the next 2-3 hours. The faster the liquid gets to the laboratory, the more reliable the results will be. If this is not possible, place the container on a shelf in the refrigerator - this will reduce the reaction rate.
The maximum shelf life of a sample is up to two days. Temperature fluctuations should be avoided during sample storage.
Image Gallery
A reverse osmosis system equipped with a semi-permeable membrane or filters is able to purify water from iron in high concentrations without the use of chemical oxidizing agents.
The aeration method has also proven itself well. It is carried out by introducing air into the water using a compressor that creates atmospheric pressure drops. To do this, water in the well is sprayed with special installations by means of spouting or showering.
Removal of hydrogen sulfide from liquid
Hydrogen sulfide is a waste product of anaerobic bacteria. Sulfuric bacteria live at the bottom of the well, where oxygen does not enter.
Experts offer two ways to solve the problem:
- Physical- assumes saturation of the liquid with air. Forced aeration helps to destroy sulfur bacteria and additionally oxygenate the water, making it more beneficial to health. To implement this method, you will have to purchase expensive equipment.
- Chemical- involves the use of disinfectants and oxidizing agents: sodium hydrochloride, hydrogen peroxide or ozone. It provides the most complete degassing. Under the action of oxidizing agents, hydrogen sulfide compounds are converted into less active forms.
Purified liquid by chemical means, must undergo additional filtration through active carbon. For water purification, both carbon filters equipped with activated carbon and filters with granular filler are used.
Treatment of water with a solution of potassium permanganate helps to eliminate the problem. Potassium permanganate powder is first diluted in a three-liter jar to obtain a concentrated solution of a saturated purple color, and then poured into a well.
Subsequently, in order to prevent the formation of colonies of bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide, it is recommended to periodically “purge” with compressed air.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
How to analyze water for the content of harmful impurities in it:
Reagentless water purification method:
Which filter to choose for cleaning dirty water:
In the future, in order to maintain the proper quality of water in the well, an analysis of its aquatic environment should be carried out annually. This will make it possible to control the quality of the water used, and in case of its deterioration, take timely measures to improve the situation.
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