We always think it a good thing when people take interest in monitoring the quality of their water supply source(s) and today we’d like to recognize the efforts of students in Derby, KS for their work in sampling and evaluating water from the Arkansas River.

Not only did these students participate during the school year as part of a class activity, but they also plan to continue sampling and testing water from the Arkansas River over the course of the Summer. Water quality parameters tested include calcium (hardness), chlorides, ammonia and nitrates. Students pull samples from both riverbank areas and from areas much further beneath the water’s surface.


Nitrate & Nitrite Test

total hardness test strips
Total Hardness Test

ammonia test kit
Ammonia Test Kit

When asked what they thought about the results obtained from testing back in the classroom, Dakota Denton, a junior, replied “A lot of levels are high, and they’re unsafe to drink, let alone eat the fish or any animal that comes out of the water.”

For more information on the testing performed by these students, take a look at the full news story on the KSN News Web Site

WaterSafe Science Project Kit
WaterSafe Science Project Kit (10-pack)

WaterSafe Science Project Kit
WaterSafe Science Project Kit (4-pack)

Water Test Kits for Classrooms?

Many people STILL have the impression that testing water requires complex testing equipment and mixing potentially hazardous reagents/chemicals… and an advanced degree in chemistry to interpret the results.

Trust when we say, “Get rid of those awful preconceived notions about water testing! Even children in grade school can test water these days!”

Granted they may not have the ability to test of things like antimony, strontium or one of the funky additives commonly used in gasoline, but they most CERTAINLY can test for things like Lead, Bacteria, Pesticides, Nitrates, Nitrites, Chlorine, Hardness, and pH.

In fact, the WaterSafe Science Project Kit 10-pack (WS425SPT) works a comprehensive test kit for comparing the water quality of up to 10 different water samples and gives reliable water test results within minutes. The bacteria test may, however, take up to 24 or 48 hours.

Whether attempting to introduce children to the world of water chemistry or arming older students with the tolls they will need to devise their own creative science/research project, the WaterSafe Science Project Kit makes water testing for 8 basic water quality parameters safe, fun and easy!