Time to Complete lesson: 30 mins

In many situations, your customer will know there is something not quite right with their water. Be it discoloration, smell, taste, or cases of regular illness in the household. But clear water does not necessarily mean good drinking water either!

Conducting a water test is the purest way to identify problems, and subsequently provide a solution.

There are several methods to test water, depending on the situation at hand. The following table defines when you would conduct a water test and for what reasons:

Where Test Conducted	What Test is For	Type of Test
On Site/In-Field	Potable Tank Water Bore & Spear	TDS pH Iron Hardness
PWSA Lab Test	Bore & Spear	50-point Analysis
Local Lab Test	Tank Water Potable Water	Bacteria

Water Tests are conducted on site or through registered laboratories. There are 3 environments where you would conduct a water test:

Conducting a simple water test on site, using available test kits
Taking samples for PWSA to provide a 50-point test
Taking samples and having your local Water Testing facility conduct a test

See Appendix 1 for an example report.

Through the following section, we will define the different water tests, what their purpose/function is, and the situation where you would conduct the test.

For Operational details, refer to Module 4, Section 4.0 Water Testing where we have outlined specific procedures.

6.1 Water Tests on Site

On site water tests are a great method in physically showing the client the basic problems with their water supply. This offers the opportunity of providing a clear solution with Sterilization and/or Filtration systems.

A water test does not need to be conducted at every visit.

The common scenarios when you would conduct a water test on site includes:

Customer has complained about recurring illness in the household and has been advised they need their water tested
Customer identifies bad taste/odour in their drinking water
Customer has requested test of bore/spear water for potential use in the household.

The following table depicts the various water tests you have on hand, and what tests they are conducting:

Water Test Kit	Function
HM Digital TDS-3	TDS / Temperature
Macherey-Nagel pH Testing Kit	pH (acidity or alkalinity)
Iron Test Kit	Iron content in water
Hardness Test Kit	Levels of Hardness in water

Descriptions of each of the "In-Field" water tests are as follows:

6.1.1 HM Digital TDS-3 Pen

The HM Digital TDS-3 pen is used to check the performance of water filters, to ensure drinking water is at the right TDS level, and to measure TDS levels for other applications.

With its rugged design and build, the TDS-3 is an ideal meter (tool) that can be used for any application; Ranging from water purification, to hydroponics to industrial wastewater treatment. It comes with a black vinyl carrying case, protecting it when carried in a toolbox.

FEATURES:

Hold Function
Auto-off Function (After 10 min.)
Built-in digital thermometer
Includes a carrying case with belt clip
Factory Calibrated with a 342 ppm NaCl solution. (Meter can be recalibrated with a mini-screwdriver).

Specifications

TDS Range	0 – 9990 ppm (mg/L)
Temp. Range	0 – 80 degrees Celsius
Resolution	0-999: 1 ppm; 1000-9990: 10 ppm (indicated by a ‘x10’ icon)
Temperature Resolution	0.1 degree Celsius (Celsius only)
Accuracy	+/- 2%
EC-to-TDS Conversion Factor	NaCl (avg. 0.5)
ATC	Built-in sensor for Automatic Temperature Compensation of 1 to 50 degrees Celsius (33 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit)
Power source	2 x 1.5V button cell batteries (included) (LR44 or equivalent) Battery life: 1000 hours of usage
Dimensions	15.5 x 3.1 x 2.3cm (6.1 x 1.25 x 1 inches)
Weight with case	76.5g (2.7 oz)
Weight without case	56.7g (2 oz)

For instructions on how to use the HM Digital TDS-3 Pen, please see Appendix 4.

6.1.2 Iron Test Kit

PWS operators use these test kits to determine if there is Iron in the water supply for the customer. The Iron Test kit determines the iron concentration in water by conversion of the ferrous (Fe2+) state. The test is fast, easy and safe.

The kit supplied includes:

50 packets iron reagent
Colour comparison cube
20mL plastic vessel

Colorimetric testing is a method of determining the concentration of a chemical element or compound (organic or inorganic) in a solution with the aid of a colour reagent.

The test kits measure the strength or weakness of a chemical presence according to the degree of colour saturation. Ie if it is pale in colour, then the chemical concentration is low. If the colour is strong, then the chemical concentration is high.

Range	0 to 5 mg/L (ppm) Iron
Smallest Increment	1 mg/L (ppm) Iron
Analysis Method	Colorimetric
Sample Size	10 mL
Number of Tests	50 (average)

For instructions on how to use the Iron testing kit, please refer to Module 4; Section 4.2 of the Operations Manual.

6.1.3 Hardness Test Kit

To test the “Hardness” of your clients water (for description of Water Hardness refer to Section 2.4.1 of this Module), PWSA adopts a simple to use Total Hardness Test Kit.

The WaterWorks™ Total Hardness test kit is available to order through your Franchise product order system in PODAC.

With the Total Hardness water quality test strips, you are able to find out exactly where the calcium level is before it becomes a problem. There is a wide range of detection, and the test strips are calibrated to be both accurate and sensitive.

There is a short turn around time and high accuracy with this type of test kit. Negating the necessity to get laboratory results.

For instructions on how to use the Total Hardness Test Kit, please refer to Module 4, Section 4.3 of the Operations Manual.

6.1.4 pH Test Strips

6.1.5 Filtration | Rapid Test | Water Analysis | Chromatography | Bioanalysis

With pH-Fix test strips, you can test the pH value quickly and easily directly at the point of interest. The strips are ready to use at any time and don’t need any calibration, set-up or maintenance. Therefore, pH determination with pH-Fix test strips is very easy, regardless of your experience or chemical background.

Safe analysis by long plastic handle

The long plastic handle safely protects you from coming into contact with the sample. Thus, testing toxic, dangerous or aggressive substances is safely possible.

Several test pads for exact results

pH-Fix indicator test strips feature up to 4 different indicator pads that cover the whole pH range from 0–14. You can choose from a total of 14 different measuring ranges to find the ideal strip for your application. The brilliant colour scale is optimally matched and aligned to the test pads on the strips, resulting in quick, easy and safe pH determination.

No bleeding due to colour bounded indicator dyes

In contrast to common indicator papers, the indicator dyes in pH-Fix test strips are chemically bound to the test pads. This patented technology safely prevents bleeding of dyes into the sample, even in highly alkaline solutions. Your sample is not contaminated by indicator dyes. Consequently, you can use the solution for further analysis.

The special non-bleeding technology provides additional benefits for you:

Even in weakly buffered solutions, a safe and reliable pH determination becomes possible, as the strips can be immersed for a long time until the final reaction colour has developed
The colours of the individual test pads don’t bleed and mix, which assures exact comparison to the colour scale
Your sample is not contaminated by indicator dyes

6.2 PWSA Lab Water Tests

In approximately 4 out of 10 customers, there will be the need to conduct a more thorough water test to determine the minerals and elements that are present in the water.

Following the onsite water tests that you can conduct directly, the next step is to take a water sample and send this to PWSA Head Office for the Technical Team to source a 50-point Water Test.

We have developed a strong relationship with a nationally recognised testing facility, and due to the many years of service, have negotiated an exceptionally good rate for the type of testing we require.

Results of this water test will provide:

Water Hardness
Known metals/minerals in the water
pH
Iron levels

These tests are typically used for Bore/Spear analysis for the purpose of correcting water either for potable drinking water, or for use around the property.

For details of how to order a 50-point Water Analysis through PWSA, please refer to Module 4, section 4.2.

An example 50-point Water Test Results is available at Appendix 1, and details were outlined in Section 4.0 of this Module.

The above tests are limited to those items listed and are intended to provide an overview of general water quality only. As no tests are conducted for bacteria and other microbiological content, this report should not be taken to imply that the water tested is necessarily safe for human consumption.

It should also be noted that Bore, spear and dam water, can at times, due to varying conditions, change their parameters. We make recommendations according to the analysis and take no responsibility for changes that may occur.

6.3 Water Tests by your Local/Regional testing facility

As part of your induction training, we will identify and contact your local/regional water testing facility (or the nearest available source). This is usually conducted through your local council. Having a good working relationship with a local water testing facility will help you provide a more timely and professional service to your customers.

The reason we establish a local/regional testing facility is for conducting bacteria tests on the water.

As defined in section 3.0 Common Water Borne Diseases, there are many various bacteria that can be quite harmful. There have been cases where families have been unwell for many months, if not over years, purely because they have not identified the problem as being their source of drinking water.

Most local government health departments provide a water testing service.

You can assist the customer in this exercise, for an additional cost. Details on how to conduct a bacteria water test are outlined in Module 4.

6.4 NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) Laboratory Testing

The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) is the authority that provides independent assurance of technical competence through a proven network of best practice industry experts for customers who require confidence in the delivery of their products and services.

NATA provides assessment, accreditation and training services to laboratories and technical facilities.

PWSA utilizes the services of a NATA approved lab to conduct all of our water testing. Having established a strong relationship over many years, this lab has a clear understanding of what results we are looking for, and provides a quick and seamless service to PWSA and PWS Franchise Operators.

https://www.nata.com.au/

6.5 Langelier Saturation Index (LSI)

The Langelier Saturation Index (LI), a measure of a solution’s ability to dissolve or deposit calcium carbonate, and is often used as an indicator of the corrosivity of water.

The index is not related directly to corrosion, but is related to the deposition of a calcium carbonate film or scale; this covering can insulate pipes, boilers and other components of a system from contact with water.

The Langelier Index is defined as the difference between actual pH (measured) and calculated pHs. The magnitude and sign of the LI value show water’s tendency to form or dissolve scale and thus to inhibit or encourage corrosion.

Although information obtained from the LI is not quantitative, it can be useful in estimating water treatment requirements for low pressure boilers, cooling towers and water treatment plants, as well as serving as a general indicator of the corrosivity of water.

The LI is a gauge of whether water will precipitate or dissolve calcium carbonate.

If the pHs is equal to the actual pH, the water is considered “balanced”. This means that calcium carbonate will not be dissolved or precipitated. If the pHs is less than the actual pH (the LI is a positive number), the water will tend to deposit calcium carbonate and is scale-forming (nonaggressive). If the pHs is greater than the actual pH (the LI is a negative number), the water is not saturated and will dissolve calcium carbonate (aggressive).

In summary:

pHS = pHactual, water is balanced
pHS < pHactual, LI = positive number, water is scale forming (nonaggressive)
pHS > pHactual, LI = negative number, water is not scale forming (aggressive)

Because the protective scale formation is dependent on pH, bicarbonate ion, calcium carbonate, dissolved solids and temperature; each may affect the water’s corrosive tendencies independently.

Soft, low-alkalinity waters with either low or excessively high pH are corrosive, even though this may not be predicted by the LI. This is because insufficient amounts of calcium carbonate and alkalinity are available to form a protective scale.

Waters with high pH values and sufficient hardness and alkalinity may also be corrosive, even if the LI predicts the opposite. This is the result of calcium and magnesium complexes that cannot actively participate in the scale forming process. Analytical procedures do not distinguish between these complexes and available calcium and magnesium; therefore, the LI value is not accurate in such situations.

Corrosive tendencies may also be exhibited by water containing high concentrations of sulfate, chloride and other ions, which interfere with uniform carbonate film formation.

As a result of these and other problems, the LI is useful only for determining the corrosivity of waters containing more than 40 mg/L of alkalinity, sufficient calcium ion concentration and ranging between pH 6.5 and 9.5.

6.6 Other problems found on site

A dirty water tank, smelly water, or continual illness in the household, are only a few of the problems that the customer might be aware of. There are other problems you might encounter, or can inquire with the customer to gain a better understanding of their current situation.

6.6.1 Copper Pipe Corrosion

Copper corrosion in home plumbing systems is a common phenomenon, which can have many causes.

Besides actual failure of the piping, the tell-tale blue stains the oxidized copper leaves on sinks, tubs, and fixtures can identify copper corrosion.

Often laundry and even blonde hair can be tinted green. Copper can be toxic, and water containing levels over 0.3 mg/L should not be used for drinking.

If there are any pipes present, the water can be coloured rust or reddish and contain metallic or sulphur odours and sediment. Corrosion can cause the piping to fail, in some cases in less than 10 years!

Some of the key causes of Copper Corrosion include:

Low pH (acid water less than 7.0)
High pH (alkaline water greater than 8.5)
High levels of dissolved oxygen
High levels of salts dissolved in the water (TDS)
Corrosion causing bacteria such as sulphate or iron bacteria
Electrochemical causes, such as improper grounding of electrical appliances to the copper piping, and/or lightning strikes through utility poles grounding wires
High velocity of water, relative to size of piping, causing hydraulic wear on the piping, sometimes found in circulating hot water systems using pumps
Sand, sediment or other grit in the water causing hydraulic wear on the piping
Improper installation of copper piping by failure to properly de-burr or ream the ends of the pipe and/or the use of excessive acid flux when soldering the pipes
The combination of colorbond (metal) roofing and Poly tanks has been found to accelerate the corrosion of copper pipes

6.6.2 Stained Fence / Driveways / Paths

Iron dissolved in groundwater delivered via irrigation systems, can produce unsightly rust stains on buildings, paths, fences and plants.

Iron is the most abundant metal on earth, and is therefore very common in soils and groundwater. Dissolved iron occurs naturally in groundwater in concentrations of up to around 50 mg/L.

Iron salts become increasingly soluble as groundwater becomes more acidic. In oxygen deprived and acidic groundwater (with a pH below 5), iron concentrations of between 1 and 20 mg/L are common (usually as stable carbonates).

Iron is normally found dissolved in groundwater in the reduced ferrous form (Fe²⁺) and oxidises to relatively insoluble ferric form (Fe ³⁺) when the pH of groundwater (alkalinity) is raised and it is exposed to oxygen in the air.

When acidic iron-rich groundwater is extracted and mixes with air, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg gas) is frequently released, the pH rises and the iron is deposited as ferric hydroxide (rust) on any flat surface as water evaporates. Over time this oxide coating builds up causing discolouration particularly to light coloured surfaces.

Iron may also be naturally present in groundwater as slimy, sometimes foul smelling bacteria filaments (such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans). These bacteria are harmless, unlikely to settle out, and discolour the water brown, often with an oily sheen.

Iron deposits and iron bacteria may cause encrustations and blockage problems in irrigation systems, especially those that rely on small orifices for pressure control or delivery via water drippers. Iron scale may also affect heat transfer in hot water systems.

Iron staining is unsightly, but shouldn’t cause serious harm to plants, animals or humans or structural damage. With high concentrations of iron (more than 20 mg/L) some plants with iron staining may experience a reduction in photosynthesis and vigour.

Water Testing/Analysis & Results

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Module 1 - The Franchise System

Module 2 - Administration and PODAC/ITF

Module 3 - Technical Information and OH&S

1.0 Background of the Water Industry

2.0 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) Introduction

3.0 Common Water Borne Diseases

4.0 Chemicals and Substances found in Water

5.0 Pristine Water Systems Chemicals and Treatments

6.0 Water Testing/Analysis & Results

7.0 Industry Certifications

8.0 Safe Work Australia / Workplace Health & Safety / Occupational Health & Safety

9.0 Filtration & Ultraviolet Products

10.0 Types of Tanks

11.0 Other PWS Products & Equipment

12.0 Glossary of Terms

Module 3 - Appendix

Module 3 Quiz

Module 4 - Operations - Standards

1.0 Introduction

2.0 The PWS Process

3.0 Planning your Work Schedule

4.0 Planning Product Ordering

5.0 Water Testing

6.0 AqueousPro™ 50 Water Sanitiser

7.0 Water Tank Cleaning

8.0 Filtration / Sterilisation Supply (Assembly)

9.0 Ongoing Service and Maintenance

10.0 PWS Standards

11.0 AqueousAir™ Assembly & Installation Instructions

Module 4 - Appendix

Module 4 Quiz

Module 5 - Sales, Marketing, Quoting & Invoicing

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Advertising & Marketing

3.0 Selling PWS / Selling Yourself

4.0 Assessments & Quoting

5.0 Invoicing

Module 5 Appendix

Module 5 Quiz

Module 6 - Equipment Maintenance

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Vehicle Maintenance

3.0 Equipment Maintenance

Module 6 Quiz

In-Field Quick Reference Guide Content