It is important to test the pH--acid or alkaline-level of the water. Water is consumed by plants and animals and we depend on them. Therefore, we indirectly consume it every day. The pH level of the water can provide information about potential contamination. Therefore, testing the pH of water can be an important public health precaution.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a pH Meter
Step 1. Calibrate the probe and meter or counter according to the manufacturer's instructions
You may have to calibrate the device by testing it on a substance with a known pH level. After that, you can adjust it according to the result. If you are testing water that is not close to a laboratory, we recommend that you perform this calibration process several hours before bringing it into the area.
Clean the probe with clean water before using it. Dry with a clean tissue
Step 2. Put the water sample in a clean container
- The water level must be high enough so that the tip of the electrode is also immersed in it.
- Leave the probe in this sample for a moment until the temperature stabilizes.
- Measure the temperature of the sample using a thermometer.
Step 3. Adjust the meter to match the sample temperature
The sensitivity of the probe is affected by the temperature of the water, so the results from the pH meter may not be accurate if you do not enter temperature data.
Step 4. Insert the probe into the sample
Wait until the meter reaches the equilibrium point. The meter has reached the equilibrium point when the measurement has stabilized.
Step 5. Read the pH measurement of the sample
The pH meter should give a measurement on a scale of 0-14. If the water is pure, the result should be close to 7. Record this result.
Method 2 of 3: Use Litmus Paper
Step 1. Know the difference between pH paper and litmus paper
To get an accurate measurement of a mixture, you can use pH paper. Not to be confused with litmus paper. Both can be used to measure acid and base levels, but they are very different.
- pH paper has several indicator bars that will change color upon exposure to liquid. The strength of the acid and base on each of these bars is different. After changing color, the color pattern of this bar can be matched with the sample given on this pH paper package.
- Litmus paper is a strip of paper that contains an acid or a base (alkaline). The most abundant are red (which contains an acid that reacts to a base) and blue (which contains a base and reacts to an acid). The red strips turn blue if the substance is alkaline, and the blue strips turn red if they are acidic. Litmus paper can be used for an easy and quick test, but cheap litmus paper does not give an accurate result of the strength of a liquid.
Step 2. Put the water sample in a clean container
The water sample must be level high enough to cover the strip to test this.
Step 3. Insert the test strip into the sample
You just need to enter it for a few seconds. Some of the indicator bars on the paper will start to change color in a few moments.
Step 4. Compare the ends of the test strips with the color chart found in this paper pack
The color on the chart must match the color on your test strip. This color chart shows the pH levels.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding pH
Step 1. Learn the definitions of acids and bases
The levels of acids and bases are defined by the hydrogen ions they take in or lose. An acid is a substance that loses (or, some say donates) hydrogen ions. A base is a substance that accepts additional hydrogen ions.
Step 2. Understand the pH scale
The pH number is used to indicate the level of acid or base of a substance that can be dissolved by water. Water usually contains equal amounts of hydroxide ions (OH-) and hydronium ions (H30+). When an acidic or basic substance is added to water, it changes the proportion of hydroxide and hydronium ions.
- Usually on a scale of 0 to 14 (although substances usually fall beyond this range). Neutral substances have levels close to 7, acids have levels below 7, while basic substances have levels over 7.
- The pH scale has a logarithmic scale, meaning that a difference of one whole number represents a tenfold difference in acidity or alkalinity. For example, a substance with a pH of 2 is actually ten times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 3 and 100 times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 4. This scale is the same as for alkaline substances, with one integer representing a tenfold difference in alkalinity..
Step 3. Find out why we are testing the pH of the water
Pure water should have a pH of 7, although tap water in developed countries typically has a pH between 6 and 5.5. Highly acidic water (water with a low pH level) is more likely to dissolve toxic chemicals. This can contaminate water and make it unsafe for human consumption.
