TO TEST THE PURITY OF WATER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2644, 28 January 1908, Page 7

TO TEST THE PURITY OF WATER.

J The purity of water for drinking : purposes is one of the greatest health requirements of every habitable building, and it must not be forgotten that water may be clear, sparkling, and pleasant to the taste, and yet be tainted with diseasegiving qualities. There are two methods which are usually considered the simplest ways of testing the purity af water. The first, which requires the least trouble is as follows Fill a clean pint bottle three-quarters full of the water to ibe tested, and then dissolve in it ; half a teaspoonful of the purest sug- ! gar, either loaf or granulated. Cork j the bottle, and put it in a warm | place for a couple of days. If at the end of this time the water is cloudy !or milky in appearance, it is unfit for drinking purposes. The second iis to add a drop of a solution of ' perniangate of potash (obtainable , from any chemist) to a tumbler of j the suspected water. If the colour changes to a brown or dull yellow, ; the water is unfit to drink, j If it remains clear, or slightly ; rose-coloured, after standing an hour the water is considered safe for use.