An old saying goes, “No matter where in the world you go, there you are.”

We believe that saying has quite a lot of significance in the world of water testing, too, because water supplies all over the world could potentially have contamination issues… so testing the water locally will always make sense in our minds.

Coliform Bacteria in Water Test Kit
Coliform Bacteria in Water Test Kit
48 Hour Test, No Incubation Required

Having said that, today’s question comes to us from a gentleman named ‘Dan’ who wrote, “i live in a village in Haiti, about 30 minutes from Les Cayes. I need to test the water supply that the locals use. We suspect ground water contamination. What do you recommend?”

First of all, Dan, what sort of contamination do you suspect? More than likely we think you mean ‘bacterial contamination’ based upon the information we have read about the sanitary conditions in parts of Haiti so we will operate under that assumption.

With that in mind, take a look at products such as EZ Coliform Cult Bacteria Water Test Kit which make it possible for pretty much anyone to test for the presence of coliform bacteria in a water sample without the need for expensive lab equipment or incubation ovens. Additionally, with the use of a UV light source at the end of the testing period a person can positively identify E.Coli if present in the sample.

Simple things besides bacteria to test for?

The list of potential drinking water contaminants stretches on for miles and could, from estimates, possibly even circle the globe a few times!

Don’t let that daunting number dissuade you from performing due diligence by testing for some of the simpler, easier to detect and ‘definitely-worth-knowing-about’ contaminants. We will now list a few of the ones that spring to our minds right away, but please do not take this list as the final word in ‘simple’ drinking water contaminants most people can easily test for.

Test for Nitrates/Nitrites
Test for Nitrates/Nitrites

Test for Pesticides in Water
Test for Pesticides

Test for Mercury
Test for Mercury

Test for Hydrogen Sulfide
Test for Hydrogen Sulfide

Broad Spectrum Test for Metals
Broad Spectrum Test for Metals

Lead in water Test Kit
Lead in water Test Kit

Arsenic in Water Test Kit
Test for Arsenic in Water

Test Kit for Total Iron
Test for Iron in Water

Now some of you may look at that collection of test kits and say, “Wow! That’s a lot to deal with!” but don’t worry, we would also like to take a moment to list for you some combination test kits that keep everything organized, provide easy-to-follow instructions and allow user to test for a number of water quality parameters.

Filter Water: Well Driller Standard Test Kit
Well Driller Standard Tests for
10 Water Quality Parameters
on as Many as 50 Samples

Filter Water: Well Driller Master Test Kit
Well Driller Master Tests for
14 Water Quality Parameters
on as Many as 50 Samples