How to Test Pesticides in Water

Pesticides are a large group of chemicals used in agricultural and residential settings to control plant, insect and fungal infestations. Because of their wide use, some pesticides can find their way into drinking water. Excess levels of pesticides in drinking water can lead to damage to the nervous system and other long-term health impacts. Public water services must monitor for pesticides. Excess levels of pesticides in drinking water usually are found in poorly designed wells and as a result of improperly applied and improperly disposed-of pesticides. If you are concerned about pesticides in your drinking water, you can easily conduct your own test using an assay test kit. Purchase one at your local hardware store or online. At the time of publication, the cost for a kit was between $10 and $25.

Things You'll Need

• Pesticide assay test kit including:
• Dropper
• Vial
• Test strips

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Instructions

• 1

  Follow all manufacturer's instructions carefully. Open the test kit; most kits contain a test vial, a dropper pipette and two test strips.

• 2

  Take a sample of your water, using the dropper.

• 3

  Place the water sample into the test vial, using the dropper. Only use ONE dropperful of water. Cap the vial.

• 4

  Swirl the water for several seconds. Place the vial on a flat surface.

• 5

  Uncap the vial, being careful not to spill the contents. Place the test strips into the vial. The strips usually have an arrow pointing one direction. Place the strips into the vial with the arrows pointing down. Cap the vial and place it on a flat surface for up to ten minutes. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

• 6

  Remove the strips and read the results. A strip will show two blue lines, one darker than the other. Depending on the kit you have, if the darker line is to the left, the test is negative for pesticides. If the darker line is to the right, the test is positive for pesticides.