UV + UF purifier (no RO)
Aquaguard Sure Delight UV+UF
For municipal or low-TDS water where the main concern is germs, not dissolved salts. Wastes no water.
Lab note: UV does not remove dissolved salts, fluoride or arsenic.
Check price on AmazonBacteriological
Coliform and E. coli water test
This is the short answer to "is my water safe to drink right now". Total coliforms indicate that something is getting into the water that should not be; E. coli indicates specifically faecal contamination. Both must be absent in drinking water. It does not cover chemical safety — arsenic, lead and fluoride need separate tests.
Answers
Is it microbiologically safe
Sample needed
250 ml sterile bottle
Incubation
24 – 48 hours, cannot be rushed
Does not cover
Metals, fluoride, nitrate
What this test does and does not tell you
The cheapest useful water test, provided you understand its boundary. Pair it with a short chemical panel if there is any health concern.
| Question | Answered by this test? | If not, test for |
|---|---|---|
| Is sewage or surface water getting in? | Yes | — |
| Has the overhead tank been contaminated? | Yes | — |
| Is the water causing stomach illness? | Likely indicator | Add a pathogen screen if illness is confirmed |
| Is there arsenic in my borewell? | No | Arsenic, specifically |
| Is lead leaching from old plumbing? | No | Lead, first-draw sample |
| Is the fluoride level safe for children? | No | Fluoride |
| Why does the water taste metallic? | No | Iron and manganese |
| Is my RO unit working? | Partly | TDS, hardness plus this test |
What to send us
Quantity
250 ml in a sterile bottle — nothing else is valid for this test
Container
Sterile bottle supplied by us. A rinsed mineral water bottle will produce a meaningless result
Hold time
Within 24 hours of collection, kept cool but not frozen
Why the result takes two days
Bacteria have to be grown before they can be counted. The incubation period is fixed biology, not queue time — a laboratory offering a same-day coliform result is either doing a rapid presumptive screen, which needs confirmation, or not doing the test. If you need the answer faster, tell us and we will explain what a presumptive result can and cannot be used for.
Questions about this test
My RO vendor says my water is fine. Should I still test?
A vendor’s TDS meter measures dissolved solids, which is not a safety measurement. It says nothing about bacteria or metals. If the vendor is also selling the remedy, an independent test is worth its cost.
Coliform present but E. coli absent — how bad is that?
It means contamination is entering the system but there is no direct evidence of faecal origin. Common causes are an uncleaned tank, a cracked cover or biofilm in the plumbing. It needs fixing, but it is a different urgency from an E. coli positive.
How often should a household test?
Once a year for a stable municipal supply, and after any event that could let contamination in — tank cleaning, plumbing work, flooding, or a change in taste, smell or colour.
Related tests
Recommended products
After a positive coliform result
RO + UV purifier, steel tank
Aquaguard Delight Aquasaver RO+UV+UF+MC
For high-TDS borewell or tanker water, where dissolved salts need to come down.
Lab note: RO is not needed if your water TDS is already low; check TDS before buying.
Check price on AmazonResidual chlorine
Chloroscope Chlorine Test Kit
Checks residual chlorine in municipal supply, overhead tanks after cleaning, and chlorinated well water.
Lab note: Colour comparison; test immediately after collecting the water.
Check price on AmazonIndividually pouch-packed
Sterile Sample Containers, 50 ml (pack of 10)
Sterile containers for collecting small food or water samples, for students and in-house QC.
Lab note: For bacteria testing of drinking water, ask us for the right bottle and volume before sampling.
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