Hardness Testing Labs in Khairatabad, Hyderabad

  Institute of Health Systems- Water Quality Testing laboratory The Institute of Health Systems (IHS) is a civil society institution, registered under the Society Registration Act and not for profit organisation. The IHS strives to build local capacity and global knowledge base for public health and socio economic development. Since 1990, the institute conducts health systems research on applied and operational issues to improve equity and efficiency of the health sector. The IHS has established state of the art Public Health Laboratory since March 2004 to empower the public and organizations / institutions with water testing facilities to raise awareness and promote remedial action to improve drinking water quality. IHS undertakes Water Quality testing services and follows Indian Standards IS 10500 for Physical, chemical and microbiological analysis. The IHS Water Quality Testing Laboratory is well equipped for testing potability of water. A key innovation by the laboratory is the design of Water Sample Collection Kit. Presterilized bottles are packed in polythene bags along with Water Sample Collection guides, Sample Collection Record, and a carry bag to easily transport the sample to the laboratory. These bottles will be available from the IHS Front Office, round-the-clock. A catalogue of services giving details about various tests of water quality has been developed to help consumers decide on the test they need the most in a given situation. The Importance of Water Testing Water quality can no longer be taken for granted. There are many variables that can come into play: the possibility of contamination, over aging water distribution system, unknown well-water quality and the type of plumbing in households. Some water issues are obvious, others are invisible. Safety of Water to Drink: The only way to tell if your drinking water is safe is by having it tested at a certified laboratory. Harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses are invisible to the naked eye, so water which looks and tastes good may not necessarily be safe to drink. These microbes can exist in surface and groundwater supplies, and can cause immediate sickness in humans if not properly treated. Certain chemical contaminants that are sometimes found in a water source can cause long term health problems that take years to develop. Frequent water testing will identify unsafe water and ensure that the treatment system is treating the water to a satisfactory level. Drinking water supplies obtained from shallow wells and surface water sources should be tested more frequently as they are more susceptible to contamination. Useful tests are available to help determine the health and safety of a water supply, and the performance of a water treatment system. A number of water quality packages are available, examples include: • Basic water potability test packages include tests for coliform bacteria, nitrates, pH, sodium, chloride, fluoride, sulphate, iron, manganese, total dissolved solids, and hardness. • Coliform bacteria tests indicate the presence of microorganisms in the water that are potentially harmful to human health. • Nitrate is a common contaminant found mainly in groundwater. High nitrate concentrations can be particularly dangerous for babies under six months, since nitrate interferes with the ability of blood to carry oxygen. • Excessive amounts of sulfate can have a laxative effect or cause gastrointestinal irritation. • Fluoride is an essential micro-nutrient, but excessive amounts can cause dental problems. • Total dissolved solids represent the amount of inorganic substances (i.e. sodium, chloride, sulphate) that are dissolved in the water. High total dissolved solids (TDS) can reduce the palatability of water. Regular testing is important to: • identify existing problems • ensure water is suitable for the intended use, especially if used for drinking by humans and animals • track changes over time • determine the effectiveness of a treatment system The quality of a water source may change over time, even suddenly. Changes can go unnoticed as the water may look, smell, and taste the same. Even if your water is purified by your local Municipal authorities, by the time it comes through your tap, it may have accumulated bacteria and lead from the pipes through which it is carried. Bacteria can grow in your sump, the water tank on the roof of apartment buildings or reservoirs between the water treatment plant and your home. Hence, you can get the water tested coming from your tap to be sure of safe quality. Private well owners should test for nitrates and bacteria. If you find that the levels of any contaminants are high, then you need to take action. Depending on the pollutants involved, your next steps may vary. While you may simply install a water filter, you may also need to look for lead pipes in your home or look into whether there may be lead lines that feed into your house.