Analytical solutions to ensure safe drinking water
Drinking water requires testing for over 90 possible contaminants according to U.S. EPA regulations in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Using approved analytical methods, scientists in municipal water facilities and contract labs routinely monitor for pollutants such as inorganic anions and cations, metals, radionuclides, and organic contaminants using a range of Thermo Scientific solutions including IC, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, GC, GC-MS, LC, LC-MS, and colorimetry. See below to determine which technique to use.
Testing techniques
| Turbidity Meter | IC | GC, GC-MS | LC, LC-MS | ICP-OES, ICP-MS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water turbidity |  |
— | — | — | — |
| Odour and taste | — | |
|
— | — |
| Inorganic anions | — | |
— | — | — |
| Trace metals | — | — | — | — | |
| Disinfection byproducts | — | |
|
|
— |
| Organic contaminants | — | — | |
|
— |
| Emerging contaminants | — | — | |
|
— |
Drinking water analysis categories
pH Electrochemistry
Our pH, ISE, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen measurement products are well known for excellence in water and liquid analysis. Thermo Scientific™ Orion™ products include a full range of complementary liquid sensing and measurement.
Colorimetry
These portable colorimeters can go where you go for your water analysis needs. Choose from 134 preprogrammed methods to measure the concentrations of sample components.
Turbidity
Take your portable turbidity meter to the source for onsite measurement. Our turbidity meters feature white and infrared light sources, helping you meet regulatory requirements.
Ion Chromatography
Use IC for analysis of inorganic anions in drinking water by EPA Method 300.0 or 300.1, and for anion analysis measuring nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, and disinfection byproducts (bromate, chlorite).
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Use LC-MS/MS for hormones by EPA 539, and for microcystins by EPA Methods 544 and 545. Use the power of Orbitrap-based LC-MS to identify and quantify unknown emerging contaminants.
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Our GC and GC-MS systems are tailored to meet regulatory compliance for analysis of organic contaminants in drinking water, including volatiles (VOCs) and semivolatiles (SVOCs).
ICP-MS
EPA Method 200.8 uses ICP-MS to analyse certain heavy metal contaminants in drinking water. For regulatory compliance, different metals require the use of different methods.
ICP-OES
U.S. EPA Method 200.7 employs ICP-OES to analyse heavy metal contaminants in drinking water. Different metals require different methods to meet regulatory compliance.
Discrete Analysis for Environmental Applications
Our discrete analysers automate photometric and electrochemical analysis providing fast, reproducible results that allow laboratories to measure multiple analytes simultaneously, while reducing total analysis and operator time.
Process Analytical Systems for Environmental Monitoring
Rely on these solutions to deliver value and help to you achieve your drinking water safety goals.
Ultraviolet-Visible and Visible Spectrophotometry
Choose from a complete line of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometers. With award-winning designs and user-friendly software, they help you quantify, assess purity, and more.
