SIMPLE, AT-HOME WATER TESTING KITS

For Drinking Water & Swimming Water

ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING!
MADE IN THE U.S.A.!

Complete 8-Contaminant
Drinking Water Testing Kit

A complete testing kit to easily make sure that your drinking water is safe.

EIGHT CONTAMINANTS QUICKLY DETECTED: Our test kit detects eight of the most common problem contaminants in drinking water within just a few minutes. Simple but effective testing procedures tell you whether lead, pesticides, bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, or chlorine are in your drinking water at unsafe levels. We also provide tests for total hardness and pH, so that you can ensure your tap water or well water always tastes great and is safe to drink for the whole family.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE: Any other water test kit online has a LESS SENSITIVE LEAD TEST. We can tell you from experience that most any lead test you can find on Amazon or otherwise online with a simple foil pouch package is an older generation of our product with much lower sensitivity than the AquaScreen Next-Generation Rapid Lead Test. LOOK FOR THE BLUE LEAD TEST STRIP IN THE AQUASCREEN POUCH.

Rapid Bacteria Pool Testing Kit

An accurate and FUN way to make sure that your pool, spa, or other swimming water is safe, with an easy, 15-minute testing process.

  • THE MOST SENSITIVE & ACCURATE RAPID BACTERIA TEST IN THE WORLD: Our Next-Generation Rapid Bacteria Test has been lab validated to detect a wide range of waterborne bacteria at the level of 1,000 colony forming units (cfu) per milliliter of water.  Now you can get lab accuracy without the cost and the days of waiting, with just a handheld test strip.

  • THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE: Don’t settle for knockoff test kit brands.  We manufacture >99% of the rapid bacteria test strips you can find on Amazon or any other website.  We can tell you from experience that most any orange/red bacteria test strip in a simple foil pouch or plastic clamshell container is an older generation of our product and less optimized than the AquaScreen Next-Generation Rapid Bacteria Test.

  • WIDE RANGE OF DANGEROUS BACTERIA QUICKLY DETECTED: This test kit quickly and accurately detects most any type of bacteria that could pose a threat to swimmers’ health.  This includes both coliform and non-coliform bacteria, such a E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Klebsiella, and many others.

  • GET THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED: Parents, children, teachers, and students around the world are all using AquaScreen to test swimming water for the presence of bacteria.  The AquaScreen Pool & Spa Rapid Bacteria Test kit makes a perfect project for young and upcoming scientists!

  • MADE IN THE USA: AquaScreen is proudly researched, developed, and produced in the USA at our facility in Los Angeles.  Our company was founded on high quality at a low price – we create test kits to keep families safe and healthy.

ACCURATE

EASY

QUICK

What’s in the Kit?

You will have the ability to test multiple water sources for:​

  • BACTERIA: 2x Next-Generation Rapid Bacteria testing strips

  • Each 2-Pack Pouch includes one pouch with 2 test strips.

  • Each 10-Pack Pouch includes five 2-Pack Pouches (10 tests).

You Should Be Screening Your Pool Water Regularly!​​

If you own a pool or spa, you know how much effort it takes to keep the pH and disinfectants at the proper levels. If these levels are off for even a short period of time, a dangerous, invisible bloom of bacteria can potentially develop, posing a serious risk to swimmers’ health.

The CDC recommends testing pH and disinfectant levels twice every day for proper safety, and we recommend screening your swimming water for bacteria every two weeks, or after any high-volume usage (for example, a children’s pool party).

 

Water quality can change quickly, SO AQUASCREEN REGULARLY.

Get into a safe routine.
AQUASCREEN!

How To Test

A few simple instructions

LEAD + PESTICIDE TESTS

The AquaScreen Next-Generation Rapid Lead Test is the most sensitive and accurate rapid test for lead that is available to the general public. It detects dissolved lead below the EPA Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).

Our rapid pesticide test detects two of the most common pesticides, atrazine and simazine, at the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level of 3 ppb and 4 ppb, respectively.

1. Remove contents from pouch. You can run a lead test together with a pesticide test at the same time. Lead+Pesticide Test Pouch contents:

4x test strips (2x for lead and 2x for pesticide)
2x test tubes
1x water dropper (reusable)
Desiccant (to be discarded)

2. Using the water dropper, add exactly seven drops of water sample to the test tube. This is just a small amount of water.

3. Swirl gently for one minute. This is essential for the detection mixture to be properly dissolved. Then place the test tube on a flat surface.

4. Insert one lead test strip and one pesticide test strip together at the same time into the test tube, with the arrows on the strips pointing downward

5. Wait ten minutes for the reaction to take place and the test lines to appear on the test strips. Do not disturb the test strips during this time.

6. Take the test strips out of the test tube and read the results, comparing to the Results Chart.

note:
If no test lines appear on a test strip, the reaction did not run properly, and the result is not valid. A faint line is a valid result.

BACTERIA TEST

The AquaScreen Bacteria Test detects a wide range of both coliform and non-coliform bacteria. To avoid unintentional contamination of the water sample, collect the water sample that you will test directly from the tap or water source into the Bacteria Test tube.

1. Unwrap the Bacteria Test vial and place upright on a flat surface. The vial contains a powder that aids in the detection of bacteria. Do not spill.

2. Twist off the vial’s cap and collect a water sample directly into test tube with a very slow stream from the tap or water source. Fill to the 5 mL line (about a half-inch from the top). Do not overfill.

3. Replace the cap tightly on the vial and shake vigorously for 20 seconds.

4. Place the capped vial upright in a warm area (70-90 degrees Fahrenheit), where it will not be disturbed for 48 hours.

5. After 48 hours have passed, observe the color of the liquid without opening the vial:

note:
If your result was positive, add a small amount of bleach to the liquid before pouring into the toilet. Negative samples may be poured directly into the toilet. Discard the empty test tube in the trash. If the liquid turns yellow at any point before 48 hours, then the sample is positive for bacteria. If the liquid is still purple at the 48-hour mark, then the sample is negative (even if the liquid turns yellow after the 48-hour mark). Positive results could be caused by bacteria in the water supply, or bacteria coated on the interior of the faucet or water spout. If positive, re-test the water after disinfecting the faucet/water spout.

NITRATE + NITRITE TEST

1. Tear open the Nitrate + Nitrite Test packet and take out the test strip.

2. Collect a sample of the water to be tested in a cup or container.

3. Immerse the reagent pads on the test strip into the water and remove after two seconds.

4. Wait one minute, and then immediately compare the color of the pads to the Results Chart.

5. If one or both of the pads do not change color, then the test result value is 0 ppm (negative result).

note:
THE EPA-recommended maximum level for nitrite is 1.0 ppm, and for total nitrate + nitrite is 10.0 ppm. If your test results show that your water contains a higher level than these recommended maximums, your water may be unsafe to drink.

PH + HARDNESS + CHLORINE TEST

1. Tear open the pH + Hardness + Chlorine Test packet and remove the test strip.

2. Collect a sample of the water to be tested in a cup or container.

3. Immerse the reagent pads on the test strip into the water and remove after one second.

4. Wait 15 seconds, and then compare the color of the pads to the Results Chart below.

5. If one of the pads does not change color, then the test result value is 0 ppm (negative result), or 6.0 for pH.

note:
The EPA-recommended maximum level for total chlorine is 4.0 ppm. The recommended maximum level for hardness is 50 ppm, and the recommended pH range is 6.5-8.5. If your test results show that your water contains a higher level than these recommended maximums (or a lower pH level), your water may be unsafe to drink.

PH + HARDNESS + CHLORINE TEST

The AquaScreen Pool & Spa Rapid Bacteria Test is a rapid immunoassay test for detecting the presence of bacteria in water. The types of bacteria detected include E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, species of Shigella, Enterobacter, and many other coliform and non-coliform bacteria.

Use each AquaScreen® test immediately after opening its individual pouch. Store and use this product at 50°-86° F (10°-30° C). Do not use the test kit after the expiration date printed on the package. Each test strip is intended for a single use. Read instructions all the way through before beginning the test.

1. Open the foil pouch and take out the contents. The pouch contains enough supplies to run two separate Rapid Bacteria tests:

2x AquaScreen Rapid Bacteria test strips
2x test tubes
2x water droppers
Desiccant (to be discarded)

2. Using the water dropper, insert exactly six drops of water sample into the test tube (see Fig. 1). This is just a small amount of water, so compare your test tube to Fig. 2 to ensure the right amount of water is in the tube.

3. Gently swirl the water inside the test tube for 30 seconds, and then let the test tube sit undisturbed for five minutes.

4. After the five minutes have passed, swirl the test tube again for 10 seconds and set on a flat surface.

5. Insert the test strip into the test tube with the arrows pointing downward (see Fig. 3), and wait ten minutes. Do not disturb the test strip or test tube during this time. Test lines will appear on the test strip.

6. Take the test strip out of the test tube and compare to the Results Chart.

note:
If no lines appear, the result is not valid and you will need to re-run another test. Even a faint line is a valid result.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about the product, the instructions, or your test results, or if you would like to contact us for any other reason, please fill out the form below or email us any time at info@silverlakeresearch.com.

What are some signs that I should test my water?
  • Odd taste, coloration, or smell can indicate the presence of contaminants.
  • Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead plumbing and fixtures that can leach into tap water.
  • Because private well water is not monitored by testing at a treatment facility, the EPA recommends testing twice a year.
  • Stains in sinks and around fixtures can indicate the presence of iron, copper and other minerals.
  • Monitor news reports and TBD websites to learn of contamination outbreaks in your area.
  • Water quality is constantly changing. Regular retesting is highly recommended.
Can I tell my water is contaminated by the way it looks, smells, or tastes?

Not necessarily – while some contaminants like iron and copper will produce discoloration, an unpleasant taste, or leave a mineral residue around sinks and fixtures, dangerous contaminants like lead, bacteria, and pesticides can be invisible, odorless, and colorless and can only be detected through testing.

Where does contamination come from?

Contaminants enter the water supply from many sources, including:

  • Naturally-occurring contaminants in soil and ground water.
  • Pipes and plumbing fixtures within the home.
  • Industrial waste from factories, mining operations, and oil drilling.
  • Agricultural pesticides and fertilizers from farms, parks, or lawns.
Will I know if I am suffering health consequences?

Not necessarily – in some cases, drinking contaminated water will produce immediate symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. In other cases, such as lead poisoning, the toxin builds up in the body over time, and ill effects can take months or years to become apparent. This is particularly true with pregnant women, where lead can cause birth defects, and young children, who can suffer from developmental problems such as stunted growth and lower IQ.

Hardness is not a major health concern, but it can lead to other undesirable consequences, such as preventing soap from lathering, scaling pots and pans, and damaging water heaters.

How are contaminants regulated?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the allowable levels of over 90 drinking water contaminants in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition, states are allowed to set their own standards as long as they meet the EPA’s minimum requirements.

Public water systems are required by the EPA to notify customers if they violate EPA or state drinking water regulations, or if they provide drinking water that may pose a risk to consumers’ health. However, in the case of lead, an alert is only issued when more than 10% of a system’s tested tap water samples show lead concentrations above EPA limits of 15 ppb (parts per billion). For perspective, an alert would only be required if over 100 homes in a neighborhood of 1,000 tested highly positive for lead (not 97 homes or 99 homes).

What are acceptable contaminant levels according to the EPA?

Are EPA regulations enforced?

Unfortunately, the crisis in Flint, Michigan is not a unique occurrence. Recent news reports have shown that water systems across the country are frequently in violation of governmental safety standards.

According to a USA Today investigation, excessive lead levels were found in almost 2,000 water systems across the country. These systems collectively supply water to over 6 million people. The same investigation revealed that, in 180 unique cases, water systems failed to notify consumers of violations as required by law.

CNN recently reported that 18 million Americans live in communities where water systems are in violation of the EPA’s lead and copper rule. The report asserted that many utilities “game the system” by using “flawed or questionable testing methods in order to avoid detecting high levels of lead.”

Bottom line: You can’t assume that your water is free of contaminants unless you test it yourself.

Is there a way to find out where contamination outbreaks have occured?

The EPA has created the Drinking Water Mapping Application to Protect Online Source Waters (DWMAPS), an online mapping tool that provides information on water supply conditions across the country. READ ARTICLE

Note that this map is not comprehensive. Even if your community is not currently listed, your water could still be contaminated from, for example, your home’s internal plumbing network.

What should I do if my water is contaminated?

That depends on several factors, including the contaminant, the source, and the concentration. Some options include:

• Call the EPA a safe drinking water hotline 800-426-4791.

• Use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth until the contamination is removed.

• Install a filtration system that is certified to remove your specific contaminant.

• Identify the source of the contamination.

• If the source is within the home, consider replacing affected pipes and fixtures.

• If the source is outside the home, contact your local water system department.

Contact Us Today

We’d love to hear from you!