Differences between several common water quality testing equipment

Here are some lab water testing equipment to help you determine water quality, depending on what you're measuring: 

Colorimeter

A Colorimeter is used to determine the concentration of a solution by measuring specific wavelengths of light. They are commonly used to test the concentration of total or free chlorine in drinking water, pool and spa applications, industrial wastewater treatment plants, paper and other industries. Colorimeters can also measure various parameters such as fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, and phosphorus. Today's Colorimeters provide quick readings on a digital display, taking the guesswork out of water quality analysis.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) meter

Dissolved Oxygen Meters make field testing easy and help measure gaseous oxygen in water - an essential element in ensuring good water quality. Dissolved Oxygen Meters come in many shapes, sizes and price points. Benchtop instruments are suitable for laboratory analysis, while portable instruments are convenient for field measurements. Some Dissolved Oxygen Meters are single-parameter devices, while others are multi-parameter devices that can simultaneously measure dissolved oxygen, pH, ion selective electrode (ISE), and conductivity. Dissolved Oxygen Meters that meet wastewater standards should be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The specialized ones of these water analysis instruments offer multiple language options and can store transferable data as well as test parameters and results for multiple users.

ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) Meter

The ORP meter indicates how well a substance is able to oxidize or reduce another substance. Applications include food preparation and swimming pool, wastewater and aquaculture management. The more pollutants in the water, the less dissolved oxygen and therefore lower ORP levels. Higher ORP levels indicate that the water is better able to destroy foreign contaminants, such as microbes or carbon-based pollutants. Like other types of water quality testing equipment, ORP meters are also available in single-parameter and multi-parameter types. Some meters can measure pH, total dissolved solids (TDS) and salt as well as ORP. Some single-parameter ORP meters come in compact, convenient and inexpensive pen-style meters, while others are pocket-sized. Some of these pocket meters have multi-parameter uses. ORP meters usually have display indication, data storage, recall function, and display of replaceable electrodes and sensors. A snap-on/snap-in sensor module is one of the features to consider as it does not require tools to replace defective parts.

pH meter

pH meters and Testers can help determine the acidity and alkalinity of aqueous solutions. Applications for pH meters include boiler, cooling, potable water, pool and wastewater testing, control and treatment. Some multiparameter water quality testing instruments that measure ORP, TDS, and salt also include a pH Tester. Others have special functions, such as measuring the pH of the coolant. Handheld stick pH meters are great for on-the-spot measurements: These smaller water quality measuring devices often contain memory for multiple readings, so you can track them over time. Benchtop pH Testers offer budget-friendly pH analysis in the lab, with larger screens, more complex setup menus, and more memory.

salinity meter

Salinity meters allow researchers, manufacturers, and hobbyists to measure the salinity of water in a variety of settings such as aquariums, food processing operations, and swimming pools. The device measures the amount of alkali metal or magnesium salts in a water sample. Like other water testing equipment, salinity meters often include other built-in testing features. One type combines salinity testing with measurements of pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Other handheld salinity meters often include an LCD, automatic temperature compensation, waterproof design, and push button operation. Some offer two calibration modes: an automatic mode with preset calibration points and a manual mode that allows the user to set custom calibration points. Salt meters offer different test ranges from 0 to 50 parts per thousand (ppt) to 0 to 80 ppt. You should choose the water testing product that suits your specific needs.