Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Water testing

Water testing (reply)

Altona Stu — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:49:59 +0000

I think he means particles.

Water testing (reply)

mosesk — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 15:39:54 +0000

The test showed the water was safe to drink and on a side note it said we have partials in the water and should have our tank cleaned, which we did. I then added a new particulate filter and all is good. The light burned out on last filter I had so I ordered a new one off Mercado libre, it came with a particulate filter and a carbon filter for around $1,800.00 pesos and worked great. Lots of ice cubs in the fridge now.

what are 'partials'?
Do you have a RO system- Reverse Osmosis?

Water testing (reply)

rdcosta — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 15:38:09 +0000

The test showed the water was safe to drink and on a side note it said we have partials in the water and should have our tank cleaned, which we did. I then added a new particulate filter and all is good. The light burned out on last filter I had so I ordered a new one off Mercado libre, it came with a particulate filter and a carbon filter for around $1,800.00 pesos and worked great. Lots of ice cubs in the fridge now.

Water testing (reply)

mosesk — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:43:27 +0000

A year ago I took a sample to the lab a across from the bombers, I just bought a 5 liter bottle of water, drank the water then filled it with water from my UV filter system and they tested it. I think it was around $1100.00 pesos and took a couple of days

What kind of report did you get back?
All clear?

Water testing (reply)

rdcosta — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 14:58:04 +0000

A year ago I took a sample to the lab a across from the bombers, I just bought a 5 liter bottle of water, drank the water then filled it with water from my UV filter system and they tested it. I think it was around $1100.00 pesos and took a couple of days

Water testing (reply)

moonbirds2 — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 21:21:36 +0000

about 4-5 years ago it was 1100 pesos at the lab across from the Bomberos

Water testing (reply)

Talley Ho — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 19:41:30 +0000

It is so hard that we had to quit giving our dogs and cat the clean, filtered water. The mineral content was so high that the cat had repeated urinary tract infections and one dog developed crystals. It was tough, but finally by controlling their urine pH with vitamin C and keeping them on bottled water both were able to make a full recovery over time.

How about taking a sample to one of the medical labs? I understand it is extremely inexpensive.

Water testing (reply)

mosesk — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 19:39:00 +0000

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the digital meters just test for dissolved solids, i.e. minerals and metals. What I am really interested in testing for are things like e-coli and other biological contaminants. I already have the ability to test for the minerals and such (Zihuatanejo city water is verrry hard). The bacteria testing kits usually require collecting a sample and adding a chemical that will change color over 48 hours if a set of specific bacteria are present.

A year or so ago after installing my 6-stage RO water filtration system I inquired at the laboratory that is across the street from the Bomberos about biological testing.
They said they perform it there but it was not inexpensive.
If I remember correctly they told me I would have to bring in 2 samples of water in sterile bottles.
I never got around to it.
Not long ago I tried to replace the UV filter which I purchased at the pool supply store HidroTeam near Sam's but the plumber somehow disappeared on me (long complex story)
If you find a kit that does it I'm all ears

Water testing (reply)

hromero — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 19:26:36 +0000

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the digital meters just test for dissolved solids, i.e. minerals and metals. What I am really interested in testing for are things like e-coli and other biological contaminants. I already have the ability to test for the minerals and such (Zihuatanejo city water is verrry hard). The bacteria testing kits usually require collecting a sample and adding a chemical that will change color over 48 hours if a set of specific bacteria are present.

Water testing (reply)

Okoboji Norm — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 19:10:53 +0000

You might check Walmart. According to their website they have digital ones for $200 pesos.

Water testing

hromero — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 18:30:53 +0000

I am curious if anyone knows of a local place that either sells water testing kits, particularly for bacteria, or does the testing. I have installed a water filtering system for drinking water and want to verify that it is indeed doing what it claims. I have found some test kits online starting at about 1,100 pesos. I know that I can get those kits for like $13 USD (260 pesos) in the U.S. I have asked our preferred plumber and various hardware stores and plumbing locations with no luck. They have test kits for water hardness and detection of other minerals but none seem to have testing kits for biological contaminants. I assume/hope that the local businesses who sell their water by the jug test their water for these contaminants but none of the workers where I inquired knew or were willing to divulge their source.