These well water / bore hole dipslides are a coliforms and general bacteria test to aid the tester in detecting indicator organisms in private water supplies. Many residential dwellings across the world use a private well as a main water source. As with all potable water sources, these wells / bore holes need to be regularly tested and treated. Many contaminants found in well water can be detrimental to health (nitrates, pesticides etc). However, coliform bacteria is generally considered the biggest contamination issue in regards to private water sources. Contamination can occur during well installation or due to other factors such as flooding, defective well caps and cracks in the well. Coliforms are found all around us in the environment - soil, plants, water, animals,waste etc which is why they are so often found in wells. A total coliform test is used an indicator of the general health of the water and the likelihood of pathogens being present. Basically the presence of coliforms in the water means that the quality of water is not up to standard and that potentially harmful organisms could be in the water supply. Testing for coliforms will allow you to assess whether the water quality is sufficient for consumption and if your treatment regime is effective. There are various testing methods to evaluate coliform levels in water. We offer a dipslide that features MacConkey 3 agar. This agar is a test for coliforms that will also suppress non coliform bacteria. Plate count agar is on the other side of the dipslide. This tests for viable organisms in water and will provide a total bacteria count. There have been occasional outbreaks of E-Coli after consumption of well water. If you would like a specific E Coli test, we offer a dipslide that features the same agars as this dipslide but also offers an e-coli test by shining a uv light / torch on the incubated dipslide. You can view this dipslide here: E coli Dipslides In some areas there won't actually be any legal requirements regarding water testing for private well owners*. However, local authorities will have their own recommendations for how wells should be tested and the regularity of those tests. The general advice is that the well is tested for microbiological contamination at least once a year. Some areas also require that you test your well before your house is sold. If you have tested a treated system and it has tested positive for contamination this will indicate that your disinfection techniques are not satisfactory. We recommend use of our dipslides by professional companies that regularly carry out well installation, testing, treatment and maintenance. Flexible Paddle Each dipslide features a virtually unbreakable and flexible paddle allowing for even, full surface testing. Easy Run Off Design Due to the design of the dipslide, fluids will drain off quickly during testing. Recessed Handle Each slide has a handle built into the lid that is recessed to help keep your fingers dry during testing. Side Indicator One side of the slide will have a circle indicator so you know which side was used for testing which type of contaminant. Dual Sided Each dipslide is dual sided to allow multiple contamination testing with one test. Thick Reliable Agar Each agar is thick (approx 4mm) and raised above the dipslide to allow for easy surface testing. About our coliform test SCT Dipslide MacConkey 3 Agar: This agar detects coliform bacteria. This agar formulation is recommended by the American Public Health Association for testing water samples for coliforms. Plate Count Agar: This agar provides a total count of viable organisms in water. Colonies grow on this agar as red dots, making them easy to view and count. These dipslides come in a box of 10. Price listed is per box. Step 1 : Remove slide Carefully remove the sterile Well Water dip slide from its tube ensuring that no contact is made with the agar (to avoid contamination). Step 2 : If Surface Testing For surface testing, press the Well Water dipslide onto the surface. If needed, place a finger on the bottom of the slide (on the plastic, not the agar) to apply extra pressure. Step 2 : If liquid testing For liquid testing, immerse the Well Water dipslide into the fluid for 10 seconds then remove and allow to drain for a few seconds. Step 2 : If swab testing Apply a sample of the test substance to a sterile swab and gently apply to the agars. Step 3 : Incubate Slide Label the tube with the included stickers then place the slide into an incubator and allow to incubate. Step 4 : Compare results Count the amount of colonies that have grown on the slide and compare them to the comparison chart provided. *This all depends on your location. Check with your local authority. Also some areas may recommend the use of state certified laboratories (USA). Customer Questi
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Your destination for high quality dip slides (manufactured in the UK). We only sell dip slides and dipslide incubators, allowing us to specialise in providing you with quality products you can rely on. We offer discounts on volume orders and can ship worldwide with rapid delivery times
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