What is the purpose of water testing in water treatment systems?
Water testing ensures the proper functioning of water treatment equipment, validates water quality,
detects operational issues, and protects downstream processes. Accurate testing allows operators
to make informed decisions and maintain system performance.
What equipment is commonly used for water testing?
Common tools include:
- Conductivity meters
- Colorimeters
- Titration kits
- Drop test kits
- Automated titrators
- Aquassist platform with Bluetooth connectivity
Why is it important to rinse sample containers before testing?
Not rinsing containers properly can lead to cross-contamination, resulting in inaccurate readings.
For example, leftover high-conductivity boiler water in a sample cup can skew results for a
low-conductivity RO sample. Always rinse containers and vials at least three times.
What personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended during testing?
- Gloves – Many reagents (e.g., phenolphthalein) are hazardous.
- Safety glasses – Required in most facilities to protect eyes from chemical splashes.
Where should water samples be collected from in a boiler system?
Key sampling points include:
- Softened water line
- Deaerator or feedwater tank
- Boiler water (via sample cooler)
- Condensate return
- City water (occasionally, if quality varies)
These help verify performance and detect issues like hardness breakthrough or leaking heat exchangers.
What is a sample cooler and why is it important?
A sample cooler safely cools hot water from the boiler or steam system, preventing burns and
allowing for accurate testing. Systems can be elaborate or simple (e.g., copper coil in a cold
water bucket) but are essential for safety and consistency.
What types of water tests are typically performed?
- Conductivity – Indicates total dissolved solids
- Hardness – Measures calcium/magnesium content
- Alkalinity – Assesses buffering capacity
- pH – Reflects acidity/basicity
- Iron – Identifies corrosion
- Sulfite – Checks for oxygen scavenger levels
- Chloride – May be used to detect contamination or leakage
What’s the difference between drop tests and titrations?
Drop tests are quick, cost-effective, and easy for tests like hardness and sulfite.
Accuracy depends on proper technique.
Titrations offer more precise results (as fine as 0.1 PPM per drop) but require
additional equipment and training.
What are some tips for accurate drop testing?
- Hold the dropper vertically to ensure consistent drop size.
- Rinse sample vials thoroughly before use.
- Match results with system controller readings when possible.
How can testing areas be optimized?
Ideal setups include:
- Organized workstations near chemical feed and sampling points
- Whiteboards for shift communication
- Mounted controllers for side-by-side comparison
- Proper lighting and PPE accessibility
- A sink for rinsing and cleanup
- Music or other morale boosters to enhance the testing experience
What is the Aquassist platform?
Aquassist is a modern, Bluetooth-enabled platform for water testing and data tracking.
It automates titration, improves accuracy, stores results, and integrates with mobile devices
for convenience and trend analysis.