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The SenSafe Water Quality Test Kit tests for the most common contaminants found in your drinking water, providing an easy way to determine if your drinking water is safe. PN 487986.

The test strips in this kit are based on recognized test methods, the instructions are clear, and no harsh chemicals are used. No expensive equipment required and easy to see results!

The SenSafe Water Quality Test Kit includes:

Sulfate Test Strips (2)
Chloride Test Strips (2)
Nitrate Test Strips (2)
Nitrite Test Strips (2)
Iron Test Strips (2)
Copper Test Strips (2)
Free Chlorine Test Strips (2)
Hydrogen Sulfide Test Strips (2)
pH Test Strips (2)
Total Alkalinity Test Strips (2)
Total Chlorine Test Strips (2)
Total Hardness Test Strips (2)
Pesticide Test (1)
Bacteria Test (1)
Lead Test (1)

Table to record and compare your results versus USEPA recommended levels



The question of whether or not to have your water tested is a serious one. It concerns the health of you and your family. Your water should be safe to drink and acceptable for all other household uses. In addition to illness, a variety of less serious problems such as taste, color, odor and staining of clothes or fixtures are symptoms of water quality problems. Even water that appears problem-free may not necessarily be safe or acceptable.

Not everyone needs to test their water and it is impractical and unnecessary to test for all possible contaminants. This publication provides a few guidelines for deciding whether or not to have your water tested, and if so, what tests would be appropriate for your situation. Your Cooperative Extension Service agent can offer you further assistance and information.

Public versus Private Water Supplies - Consumers get their drinking water primarily from two sources: public water supplies and private wells. Public water systems draw water from rivers, reservoirs, springs or groundwater wells and have at least 15 year-round connections or serve more than 25 people. Most private drinking water comes from wells, although springs and ponds are sometimes used.

If your water comes from a public or municipal water system, it is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by federal and state standards, such as microbial pathogens, radioactive elements and organic/inorganic toxic chemicals. In most cases, water testing for health protection is not necessary for a person serviced by a public or municipal system. However, since water tests are conducted at the source, it is possible to have a problem in the municipal delivery line or in the home plumbing system that could contaminate the water.

If your water supply is a private well, you alone are responsible for assuring that it is safe. So set up routine testing for a few of the most common contaminants. Even if you currently have a safe, pure water supply, regular testing can be valuable because it establishes a record of water quality.

Specific Contaminant Testing - Water tests may be conducted to evaluate basic water chemistry and to determine if the water meets the minimum criteria for bacterial and chemical content. There is no one simple test for all water problems.

Bacteriological Test - A bacteriological test tells you if your water is free from disease-causing bacteria. It is possible to test for virtually every water-borne disease-causing bacteria and virus, but such a test would be costly. Instead, the most common test is for total coliform bacteria. Because coliform bacteria commonly inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, they serve as indicators of fecal contamination and as a marker for other, possibly pathogenic microorganisms.

The report from the laboratory will indicate that the water is either coliform negative or coliform positive. If the test is coliform positive, then you should act immediately to determine and eliminate the source of contamination and/or disinfect the water before use.

Mineral Test - A mineral analysis indicates the extent of mineral impurities in the water. Large amounts of minerals and other impurities may pose a health hazard and affect the appearance and usefulness of the water.

A typical mineral analysis will give the content in parts per million of mineral elements such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper and zinc. It will also determine the acidity or pH of the water and the hardness, expressed in parts per million or grains per gallon. It may also give the concentration of nitrate, sulfates and other chemical compounds.

Chemical Test - Many man-made chemicals can contaminate a water supply and impair its usability and/or create a health hazard. Examples include petroleum products, agricultural pesticides and industrial chemicals.

Unless a specific chemical or type of chemical is suspected to be in the water, this type of test is not routinely performed. It can be very expensive to test for the presence of unspecified chemical contaminants. However, if you suspect a particular chemical a test can usually be performed at minimal cost.