Several members of the Water Testing Blog staff have spoken with members of the military, both currently enlisted and recently discharged, and found out that some soldiers do not have access to simple, efficient tools they can use to test potential drinking water while deployed in foreign countries.
In most cases they carry packets of sanitizing/disinfecting tablets which they can use to put into their canteens to kill off bacteria, but what about lead, arsenic, cyanide and other items which can EASILY render an entire unit inoperable and take them away from their assigned duties?
Thankfully US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps medical units deployed around the globe now have the ability to make use of simple water quality test kits which give them the ability to read basic water quality parameters quickly and easily.
Arsenic in Water and Soil: Arsenic QuickTM
Bacteria in Water: Bacteria Check
Chlorine Residual (Free): SenSafeTM Free Chlorine Water Check
Chlorine Residual (Total): SenSafeTM Total Chlorine Water Check
Cyanide in Water: Cyanide Emergency Test Kit
DPD-1 and DPD-4 (Chlorine Testing): DPD ReagentStripsTM
Lead in Water: Lead in Water Test Kit
Multi Parameter (6 Parameters): Well Water Check
Multi Parameter (11 Parameters): Well Driller Standard Water Test Kit
Multi Parameter (13 Parameters): COMPLETE Water Test Kit
Multi Parameter (15 Parameters): Water Quality Test Kit
Most of us know how badly we feel after ‘a night on the town’ filled with margaritas, martinis, cocktails and body shots because of dehydration. Now try to imagine how our soldiers must feel after a few MONTHS in the desert wearing full combat gear.
Safe drinking water means safer soldiers.