Water Tests

Phosphate Test:

1. Read all instructions before starting and wear a pair of gloves. 

2. Hold the clear end of the phosphorus test strip and dip the white pad of the test strip into the tube stream water. Hold under the water for 1 second.

3. Remove the strip from water and place face-up (P facing up) on a flat surface for 3 minutes.

4. After three minutes, compare the top pad color to the phosphorus color chart on the brochure. Write down the number (in ppm) from the phosphorus color chart that best matches the color on your phosphorus test strip. 

To get the phosphate concentration, multiply the phosphorus concentration (found in step 4) by 3. 

Phosphate concentration (ppm):

 Nitrate/Nitrite Test:

1. Read all instructions before starting and wear a pair of gloves. 

2. Dip the nitrate/nitrite test strip into the tube of stream water. Hold under the water for 2-3 seconds.  

3. Remove the strip from water and gently shake off excess water.

4. Place face-up (N facing up) on a flat surface for 30 seconds.

5. After 30 seconds, compare the test strip to the nitrite/nitrate color chart.

6. Record the level of nitrate and nitrite of your sample.

 pH Test:

1. Read all instructions before starting and wear a pair of gloves. 

2. Quickly dip the pH test strip into the test tube of water. The colors will change instantly.

3. Place the test strip face-up (pH facing up) on a flat surface and quickly match the colors of your strip to the color pH chart. Colors will run if the strip is not on level surface.

4. Record the pH of your stream.

Turbidity Test:

1. Fill the 50 mL tube with 25 mL of water. If you have already filled the tube up, shake it and then pour out water until the 25 mL line.

2. Place the base of the tube on top of the Secchi disk below.

3. With the lid off, look down the tube at the Secchi disk in the turbidity chart. 

4. Compare the appearance of the Secchi disk with the chart of Secchi disks in the brochure to determine the turbidity in JTUs (Jackson Turbidity Units).