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For those curious as to WHY a person would have interest in a fast, easy-to-use and accurate test strip for dissolved copper, pH and total alkalinity, the answer lies with pools, spas and water features (i.e. decorative ponds, coy ponds, fountains, etc.). In water samples from each of those three water environments a person could very easily expect to find traces of dissolved copper.
Now that we know why people would want to test for copper in water, some of you probably want to know why anyone would find it desirable to also test for pH and total alkalinity at the same time. The answer to that question lies in the relationship between copper as a solid metal and the effects of pH & alkalinity on that solid metal when either parameter drifts out of the acceptable range.
Water with incorrect pH and/or alkalinity becomes more corrosive than properly balanced water and will eat away at (dissolve) most metals at a much faster rate. In pools, spas and hot tubs corrosive water will target the copper heating elements of water heaters and pull copper metal ions out of them.
If not watched closely water with improper pH and/or total alkalinity can very easily shorten the lifespan of copper heating elements in swimming pools and hot tubs to a mere fraction of what one would normally expect… and if they go bad unannounced, well, the cleanup & repair — especially for indoor hot tub owners — could very easily wind up costing a whole heck of a lot more than monitoring and balancing the dissolved copper, pH and total alkalinity levels in the first place!
Other reasons to monitor copper, pH and alkalinity levels?
While the untimely and expensive demise of heater elements certainly should make a good enough case to encourage folks like us to perform regular testing for dissolved copper, pH and total alkalinity, other folks out there may need a bit more convincing… so try THIS on for size: Dissolved metals (i.e. and especially copper) will drop out of solution and stain pool/spa/feature surfaces if the pH and/or alkalinity strays too far out of range!
To make matters worse, getting those stains off surfaces typically takes a good amount of time, physical labor (elbow grease!), and metal stain removal chemicals.
Testing for copper in source water?
Earlier we mentioned that water used to fill a swimming pool, hot tub or water feature may contain dissolved copper… and we meant what we said. Some well water and even some municipal/city/tap water may contain dissolved copper so it makes sense to always test your source water for quality before blindly adding to your pool, spa or water feature.
AND it REALLY makes sense to make sure you test for the presence of heavy metals (i.e. copper, iron, etc.) before adding strong oxidizers like chlorine or bromine because the addition of those chemicals causes a sharp change in the water’s pH and alkalinity levels… and as stated earlier this could cause the metals to fall out of solution (form precipitates) and potentially stain surfaces.
Federal Regulations require public water systems to keep a close watch on the levels of many different metals in the water they pump out to their customers — including copper. If levels exceed 1.3ppm at the plant then operators must take corrective action immediately and continue monitoring copper levels for a period afterwards to make sure the level does not climb back above 1.3ppm.
Naturally you probably want to know why water with little or no copper at the water treatment plant can wind up containing dangerously with high levels when it flows from a faucet. Simple: Corrosion.
Many homes and older water systems used copper pipes and/or pipes which contained copper as part of their chemical make up before scientists knew the dangers posed by copper. Water with an improper pH balance becomes corrosive and eats away at the pipes — causing copper to enter the water.
What can copper in drinking ‘do’ to a person?
While the body does require copper as a natural nutrient, it does not require very much at all and levels of exposure above the EPA’s Action Level of 1.3ppm could have adverse effects on a person’s health such as gastrointestinal troubles, nausea and/or vomiting. In more serious cases, liver to kidneys and live may occur.
Can the average person test for copper in drinking water?
Yes, but keep in mind that at-home drinking water test kits serve as screening methods only and persons with reason to suspect serious contamination of their water supply should turn a certified water testing laboratory for assistance.
For everyone else, though, simple test kits such as SenSafe Copper Check will suffice. While just a test strip, advanced aperture technology developed by Industrial Test Systems, Inc. allows just about anyone to detect as low as 0.05ppm dissolved copper in water — without the need for powders, liquids or tablets!
And don’t forget to monitor the pH of your water, too! Corrosive water is normally the number one cause of copper leaching into drinking water!
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