Activity #3: Water Testing
Materials: pH 1–14 test strips, chlorine 0–5ppm test strips, nitrate test strips, water hardness test strips, various water sources, beakers or cups, distilled water.
STEP 1: Now that you’ve explored how water can be polluted and how it moves through the environment, it’s time to focus on water quality. What makes water “clean,” and how do scientists test it? Watch the video below and complete the summary in your workbook
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STEP 3: Now that you’ve explored how water moves and the different ways it can be affected by the environment, it’s time to investigate water quality more closely. In this experiment, you’ll collect water from different sources and test it using the materials provided. Your goal is to compare water quality across sources and decide how each might best be used.
Using the materials provided, your task is to design a simple experiment to test the pH, chlorine level, nitrate content, and hardness of various water sources. You’ll work with your team to gather samples—such as tap water, distilled water, or water from a nearby stream or pond—and carefully follow the testing procedures. Record your results, observations, and conclusions in your workbook.
Choose one of the questions below (or create your own) to guide your experiment. Then, follow the steps in your workbook to carry it out.
- Which water source has the most balanced pH for drinking?
- Which water has the highest level of chlorine or nitrates?
- How does tap water compare to natural sources like rivers or lakes?
- Based on your results, which water source would be best for irrigation or washing?