How to Prepare a Hard Water Sample

Excessive calcium and magnesium deposits in hard water can build up in pipes and eventually damage them. To determine whether drinking water is hard, well owners can send an EPA-certified laboratory a water sample for testing. Laboratories offer supplies and instructions for hard water testing, but you can also prepare the sample with a few household items.

Things You'll Need

• Clean plastic container with lid
• Adhesive label
• Permanent marker

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Rinse a clean container three times with water from the same source that you are testing.

• 2

  Wash your hands with soap and water and keep them off of the inside of the container and the bottom of the lid to avoid contamination.

• 3

  Turn your water on and let it run for five minutes prior to taking a sample.

• 4

  Fill the container with 500 mL or 16 oz. of water, leaving an inch of space at the top. Cover the container securely with the lid.

• 5

  Write your name, phone number and the time, date and place on an adhesive label. Stick the label on the container.

• 6

  Refrigerate the water sample until you're ready to take or send it to the laboratory.