WT-Water-Test-Kits

Supported Applications

The Omega WT Series provides individual water testing kits for chemical analysis of liquid samples. These titrimetric, colorimetric, and turbidimetric test kits are designed to measure a comprehensive range of water quality factors including acidity, alkalinity (P & T), aluminum, ammonia nitrogen, bromine, carbon dioxide, caustic, chelant, chloride, chlorine (free/total), chlorine bleach, chlorine dioxide, coliform, color, copper, detergents, hardness, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, iron, lead, molybdate/molybdenum, morpholine, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite, dissolved oxygen, ozone, peracetic acid, phenols, phosphate, phosphonate, polyquat, potassium, QAC (quaternary ammonium compounds), salinity, silica, sulfate, sulfide, sulfite, tannin/lignin, turbidity, and zinc.

Specific applications include testing fresh water and salt water. For example, the WTCA-3609 kit supports both fresh and salt water hardness determinations using an ascorbic acid phosphate method for salt water analysis. Several models in the series are marked with an asterisk (*) indicating acceptance by EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) and/or EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES).

Operating Conditions & Performance

The WT Series kits operate using manual chemical analysis methods rather than electronic sensing. Each kit is supplied complete with the necessary reagents, test systems, and instructions to perform a specified number of tests per package. Test counts vary by model; for instance, some colorimetric comparator kits provide 50 or 100 tests, while dropper bottle configurations may support over 100 tests depending on concentration ranges.

Performance is defined by the specific range and sensitivity of each test system as documented in the specification tables. Ranges are expressed in units such as ppm (parts per million), percent (%), ppt (parts per thousand for salinity), JTU (Jackson Turbidity Units), or APHA Standard Color Units. Sensitivity varies from 0.01 ppm to over 2,000 ppm depending on the analyte and method selected.

Measurement Ranges by Analyte

• Chlorine: Free & Total chlorine ranges include low concentrations (e.g., 0.1 to 1.0 ppm) using DPD tablets or liquids, and higher concentrations up to 6.0 ppm via octa-slide comparators.
• Hardness: Kits measure total hardness from 0 to 200 ppm/4 ppm (expressed as CaCO3), with low-range options available for 0 to 10 ppm/0.2 ppm.
• Dissolved Oxygen: The azide modification of the Winkler method supports a range of 0 to 10 ppm/0.2 ppm using all-liquid reagents and direct reading titrators.
• Nitrate Nitrogen: Colorimetric methods cover ranges such as 0.25 to 10.0 ppm or 0 to 3.0 ppm/0.05 ppm depending on the reduction method (cadmium vs. ascorbic acid).

Configuration Options

The series offers four primary titration and analysis system types, allowing selection based on required precision and sample volume:

• Automatic Buret: Self-zeroing systems calibrated 0 to 10 mL in 0.1 mL increments.
• Direct Reading Titrator: Features a 1.0 mL microburet, refillable for testing higher concentrations (e.g., models with -DR suffix).
• Dropper Pipet: Utilizes drops multiplied by a fixed factor to determine concentration.
• Dropper Bottle: Uses drops multiplied by an equivalence factor; suitable for rapid field checks.

Test systems include Octet comparators (with or without axial readers), colorimeters, octa-slides, turbidity reading tubes, and spot plates. Reagent refill packages are available for the series; to order refills, place the prefix "R-" in front of the model number.

Specialized Methods & Options

• Salt Water Analysis: Specific methods required for salt water include the salicylate method for ammonia nitrogen (mercury-free) and ascorbic acid reduction for phosphate testing.
• Bromine Separation: The WTBR-6824 kit allows bromine to be separated from chlorine determination using glycine.
• Ozone in Presence of Chlorine: The WTO3-3678 indigo trisulfonate colorimeter can test for ozone when chlorine is present.
• Lead Testing: Kit WTPB-3582 uses sodium rhodizonate to detect lead presence in solder; this kit is banned for household use.

Key Product Differences

Variants within the WT Series are distinguished by the specific analyte measured, the test system employed (e.g., comparator vs. titrator), and the reagent delivery method. Model numbers often indicate these distinctions through suffixes:

• -DR Suffix: Indicates a Direct Reading Titrator configuration.
• -LI Suffix: Denotes an all-liquid reagent system (e.g., WTCA-4482-DR-LI).
• -LT Suffix: Indicates a system using a liquid buffer and tablet indicator (e.g., WTCA-4482-DR-LT).

Different kits for the same analyte may offer varying ranges or sensitivities. For example, Chlorine testing is available via DPD tablets in octet comparators (WTCL2-6817) covering 0.2 to 3.0 ppm, while iodometric titration methods are provided for higher chlorine levels using dropper pipets.

Some kits include multiple test capabilities within a single package. The WTCA-4824 series offers calcium, magnesium, and total hardness determination in one kit. Similarly, the WTOH-7515 alkalinity kit measures P (phenolphthalein), T (total), and OH (hydroxide) alkalinity using dropper pipets.