Water Source eNewsletter August Edition

LaMotte Storm Drain
Monitoring Kit

Monitor Illicit Storm Drain Connections

YSI® ProODO Optical
Dissolved Oxygen Meter

Get Readings at Depths in Still Water

Alliance Nylon
Rainsuits

Stay Dry-Without Spending A Fortune

The Technical Support Department here at Ben Meadows handles dozens of calls a day from Water Quality Pros, like you. Recently we’ve had many customers with questions about choosing a pH meter. When helping with these questions, we almost always discuss the same basic options and features that should be considered. That’s why this month we would like to focus on some of these common discussion points that will help you think about your specific needs when purchasing a pH meter:

Accuracy and Resolution – How close of a measurement do you need?

Range – Standard is 0-14. Some meters have smaller or larger ranges.

ATC (Auto-Temperature Compensation) – pH varies slightly with temperature. ATC will automatically adjust for this difference. If you plan on measuring pH levels of solutions that vary in temperature, you may want a meter with this option for greater accuracy and consistency.

Water Resistance – Are you going to be using the meter where it could get splashed or dropped in water? If so, you may want to get a waterproof meter to avoid water damage.

Electrode Type - There are many types of electrodes used for different solutions. These are some of the more common types:

• Single-Junction Reference electrodes are considered as general use electrodes. They will work fine for use in most applications but cannot be used in solutions that include heavy metals, proteins, organics, low ion concentrations and high ion concentrations. If used with any of these solutions, the electrode will become contaminated and will need to be replaced. They consist of a glass membrane filled with a silver chloride solution.
• Calomel Reference electrodes are designed to work in solutions containing proteins, organics, low ion activity and heavy metals. They have a glass membrane filled with a mercury chloride solution, which allows it to be used with silver ion solutions unlike standard single and double junction electrodes.
• Double-Junction Reference electrodes are very similar to a single-junction reference electrode, but it has two reference junctions to filter out any potential contamination of the reference electrode. This allows it to work in the same applications as a calomel reference electrode as well as in solutions with high ion concentrations.
• PTFE resin Junction Reference electrodes are designed for applications where the solutions to be measured can clog the reference of a standard electrode. PTFE resin junction reference electrodes are recommended when dealing with solutions like paints, gels and pastes.
• Silicon Chip Reference (ISFET) sensors have no membrane which means there is no maintenance, they can be stored dry, are very easy to clean and will last much longer than glass membrane electrodes. They are used mostly in food, beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications where glass electrodes are prohibited. 

We hope this will help clear up some of the confusion while trying to find the right pH meter when there are so many from which to choose.

Product Spotlight

Minilab Pocket pH Meter

• Fast-response silicon chip sensor
• No maintenance and can be stored dry
• Measures samples as small as one drop
• Auto temperature compensation
• Auto buffer recognition
• Waterproof and pocket sized
  
  Get yours here or call
  1-800-241-6401 today!

Free 30-Day Trial!

Thermo Scientific Orion Optical Dissolved Oxygen Meters

Now’s the time to try one of the easiest to use and maintain dissolved oxygen meters ever created! For a limited time you can try a Thermo Scientific Orion Star RDO meter and probe for 30 days RISK FREE!

Get the details here!

EPA's New Approach

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently announced they are seeking a new approach to protecting drinking water and public health. They have four principles relating to monitoring and control on which they plan to focus:

1. Address contaminants as groups rather than individually so drinking water assessment can be more cost and time effective.
2. Promote the development of new technologies and techniques by working with universities, technology developers and the private sector.
3. Use the regulatory authority of multiple statutes such as the Federal Insecticide, Fungal, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) to maintain the protection of drinking water from new and existing industrial chemicals.
4. Develop shared access to all public water systems’ monitoring data between states and the EPA for easier review and share data analysis tools with states to assist with oversight and enforcement.

With this new approach, the EPA hopes to achieve greater protection more quickly and cost-effectively. You can see the article at the EPA’s Web site:

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/sdwa/dwstrategy.html

We asked you to tell us this: For what would you use Imhoff cones?  Mary from Montpelier, VT knows that Imhoff cones are used to measure the precipitation of solids in a liquid sample.

We'll be sending Mary a Leatherman Squirt P4 Multitool

This Issue's Question

Which “Bright Dyes” Biodegradable Dye Tracer colors are NSF certified for potable water?

Send your answer via email to: editor@benmeadows.com

While you're at it, let us know your job title and function and what topics you'd like to see covered in future issues of The Water Main.

Answers must be received by Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010. We'll select one lucky prize winner from all the correct entries. If you are selected, we will notify you by email. Don't forget to include an address (if you win, we'll need to know where to send your prize)!

This month's prize: Leatherman Squirt P4 Multitool

To be eligible to receive a prize you must include your name and mailing address. This information must correspond to your benmeadows.com registration information. If you are not registered at benmeadows.com click here and register TODAY!