Fecal Test Kits

Commercial water test kits commonly found in hardware stores or other locations test for various substances generally found in public water supplies.  Because rainwater is a very clean source, many of these substances may not be in rainwater.

The most common concern that rainwater catchment users have is illness caused by fecal contamination from birds, geckos, cats, rats, etc.  Realizing that rainwater catchment users are responsible for their own water, we offer simple, easy-to-use fecal bacteria indicator test kits.  These water tests are useful to regularly monitor your water quality inexpensively at home.  

Fecal water test kits are $5.00.

Chlorine & pH Test Kits

Some people test their catchment water for chlorine and pH.

Simple chlorine test strips help monitor chlorine levels in the tank when using bleach or solid chlorine as a disinfectant.  Keeping levels at the one part per million (1 ppm) level suggested by the Department of Health can be challenging.  Test strips help keep you on track.  When disinfecting with chlorine, you don't want to drop below 0.2 ppm of chlorine.

Swimming pool chlorine tests are often not sensitive enough to measure the lower levels of chlorine you keep in your rainwater catchment tank.  These test strips measure in increments of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, etc.  They can be found in chemical supply stores and at the UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension office.

Note: You will not have chlorine in your rainwater unless you are using bleach to purify or disinfect it.  

PH testing measures how acidic or basic your water is.  You can buy pH test kits at most swimming pool supply stores and we also have them in our office.  Normally, rainwater is acidic (low pH), and here on the Big Island, our rain may be extra acidic because of our active volcano.  While acidic rain is not considered a health problem, some people monitor it and raise the pH using baking soda.  This is most commonly done because the acid rain leaches copper from pipes and turns tubs and sinks blue/green.  In some places, acidic water is more of problem because it leaches lead from old pipes and lead roofing materials into the rainwater catchment water supply.  

As a community service, we sell chlorine and pH test kits at cost, after an educational institution discount.  

Chlorine and PH test kits are $16.00 each.

How to Buy a Test Kit

All test kits are available for pickup between 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1-4:30 p.m. at:

UH Manoa CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service
920 Stainback Highway
Kea`au, HI  96749
808-981-5199

(Please note that while our Komohana Street complex is being renovated, we are currently located about one mile behind the Panaewa Zoo at 920 Stainback Road.)

Realizing that many people cannot come in to our office to pick up a water test kit, we also offer test kits by mail, so please call or email for shipping costs, then make your check payable to: RCUH #001887 and send it to:

Trisha Macomber
UH Manoa CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service
875 Komohana Street
Hilo, HI  96720

Need More Information?

For a more thorough water test, we recommend submitting your water sample to a certified water quality lab.  Some are listed in the HRCS Association's Services Directory.

Questions?  Please call Trisha Macomber, MPH, Rainwater Catchment Education Specialist, 808-981-5199, or email her.