SURFRIDER WATER TESTING KIT

Comments about SURFRIDER FOUNDATION SURFRIDER WATER TESTING KIT:

I was SO excited to get these when moving to Japan. With the tsunami and other minor tropical storms affecting the area, along with other floating debris from surrounding countries in the water, I was hoping to see where was safe to swim, maybe even use them for testing the tap water! I was so frustrated to find out it needed incubation for 24-48 hours at 95 degrees. No easy way to do this without an incubator, and impossible without a thermometer. It does provide directions for making an incubator, but around here, very hard to find the electrical components. Also this kit is just a basic coli-counter test to see how much bacteria is in the water. It says the "State standards" required in order to keep a beach open or close it, but no further explanation. What is safe to drink?? It also says to fill out the results form and mail it to Surfrider, but there is no results form inside, and I have not been able to find one from anyone associated with Surfrider. In addition, the testers are each single-use plastic containers. Lots of wasted plastic. Seems there might be something better you could dip in water that changes colors like testing chemicals in a pool? Quite frustrated. I would like to recommend as I love to help Surfrider, but for the cost and uncertainty of use, I really can't.

Comments about SURFRIDER FOUNDATION SURFRIDER WATER TESTING KIT:

I purchased this to test the water to see if it would be safe for swimming while visiting Morocco. I was truly excited that such a product was available. However, in order for the test to work, you need to incubate the test strip for 24 hours in a temperature-controlled 95 degrees.

The instructions say that you can often ask a school or doctor's office and they will help you; this may be true in some places, but not where we were traveling. Because it requires 24 hours of incubation, it is not something you can use and then jump in the water immediately after reading results. This is not a huge problem if you are going to be in a set area for awhile, but if you are passing through for a day, it's useless.

The instructions that come with the kits do explain how to build your own incubator, which may work well for some. However, anyone choosing this route I would recommend allowing yourself plenty of time to make necessary adjustments to ensure that it will work.

I think this is a great idea and with access to incubation, probably a great product, but without that access, it is useless.

Comments about SURFRIDER FOUNDATION SURFRIDER WATER TESTING KIT:

I can't believe these are still around. I remember using this as a high school science project over ten years ago. After finding some shocking results I started surfing elsewhere. Look the same will order again to test some new waters.