We recently received an inquiry from 'Marilyn' who asked, "I need to test my well water in order to determine the correct equipment to get for filtration and softening. Your sen safe water test kit seems the most appropriate, but I do not see tests for manganese and magnesium. Please advise."
Hello, Marilyn, and thank you for your inquiry. The SenSafe Water Quality Test Kit contains the following:
- 2 Alkalinity, Total
- 1 Bacteria,Coliform in Water
- 2 Chloride
- 2 Chlorine, Free
- 2 Chlorine, Total
- 2 Copper, Total
- 2 Hardness, Total
- 2 Hydrogen Sulfide
- 2 Iron
- 1 Lead
- 2 Nitrate/Nitrite, as Nitrogen
- 1 Pesticide
- 2 ph
- 2 Sulfate
The kit does not contain tests for manganese but that kit is available on its own. We do carry a manganese test as a standalone kit, though.
Regarding magnesium, that value is included in the total hardness reading given by the total hardness test included with the SenSafe Water Quality Test Kit. Note: The test gives a sum of calcium hardness and magnesium hardness levels, not individual concentrations.
And finally, regarding performing testing for the purpose of determining the quality of your water so you can figure out the best treatment option, if you suspect that your water has potentially significant problems and/or health risks, then home water test kits should serve as a preliminary tests only and you should probably use the services of a certified water testing laboratory before investing in a water filtration system.
If you do not wish to use the services of a local water testing laboratory (which your local health department could help you locate), then companies like National Testing Laboratories offer mail-in water testing services that provide results from a certified water testing laboratory usually within 10 business days.