As the recent wildfires in Los Angeles continue to cause concern over air quality, residents are now facing another issue: water quality. The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) has issued an “Unsafe Water Alert” for the 90272 zip code and surrounding areas, advising residents to not drink or cook with tap water until further notice.
According to the LADWP, the water supply may be contaminated with fire-related chemicals and pollutants, including benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). There are also concerns about ash and soot from the wildfire smoke, as well as chemical contamination from melted plastic and structures.
To ensure their water is safe to drink, many residents are turning to water testing kits. These kits, which can be found online, use color-coded strips to detect contaminants such as pH levels, chlorine, lead, and even e. coli. Simply dip the strip into the water and wait for the color change to indicate the presence of contamination.
Here are three recommended water testing kits that are currently available for purchase:
Bestprod 20-in-1 Drinking Water Testing Kit (120 Strips)
This kit, which has sold over 7,000 units in the last month, has a 4.5-star rating from thousands of satisfied customers. The color-coded strips are easy to use and provide accurate results.
Varify 17-in-1 Complete Drinking Water Test Kit + 2 Bacteria Tester Kits
This kit includes 100 testing strips for alkaline, lead, copper, and more, as well as two bacteria tests for more dangerous contaminants. The strips come in five separate sealed packages to ensure freshness, and the bacteria test provides results in less than 48 hours.
TESTPERT Water Testing Kits for Drinking Water
On sale now, this kit includes 125 water test strips and a color-coded chart for easy analysis. The strips are easy to use and provide quick results. Plus, TESTPERT has offset the carbon emissions from the production of these strips.
Officials recommend using a water testing strip at least twice a week to ensure the safety of drinking water. In addition to being useful during wildfires, these strips can also be used while camping or traveling to test well water, hotel water, and lake water.
Residents are advised not to try to treat tap water themselves, as even traditional water filters may not make the water safe. The LADWP also provides tips for water use during wildfire season, including limiting hot water use, using proper ventilation, and avoiding hot tubs and swimming pools.
It is important for residents in affected areas to closely monitor their water quality and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their drinking water. To learn more about water testing kits and how to protect your water during wildfire season, visit the original article here: https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-drinking-water-test-strip-kits-1235232618/