WATER TESTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20043, 4 September 1920, Page 2

WATER TESTS.

The following simple tests for water may prove of value to many of our readers - (1) For hard or soft water. Dissolve a small quantity of good soap in alcohol, and let a few drops of the solution fall into a glass of water. If the latter turns milky, it is bard; if not, it is soft. (2) For enrthy matter or alkali. Take some litmus-paper dipped in vinegar, and if on immersion in tho water the paper returns to its true shade, the water does not contain alkali or earthy matters. A few drops of syrup added to water containing earthy matter will turn it grUeu, (3) For carbolic acid. Take equal parts of the water and clear, limewater, nils them, and if carbonic acid is present; there will be a precipitate, which will! effervesce if a few drops of muriatic ucid be added to it. ■ (4) For- -magnesia, -Boil -the- water to one-twentieth part of its weight, then drojt a few grains of neutral carbonate of ammonia into a glass of it, with a f-iw drops of phosphate of soda! If magnesia be present it will fall to the bottom. (o) Fctr iron. Boil a little nut-gall and ackl it to the water, which will turn gtey or slate-black if irou is present, A little pruilsiate of potash will also turn tho iron blue. (6) i|or lime. lute a glass of the water Rut two drops of oxalic acid ana blow upon it. If it gets milkv, lime in present. (7) IjTor acid. If litmus-paper turns red in the water, it contains acid- the lime test will show whether it is'carbonic heid. If it turns a blue sugarpaper red it is a mineral acid.