Test-Strip Method

• 1). Open a tap of running water and allow it to flow freely for about 5 minutes to flush any sediments from the water lines. Then, fill a clean glass with the running water.
  
  
• 2). Remove a test strip from the container and dip it into the water in the glass for about 5 seconds.
  
  
• 3). Remove the test strip from the water and shake any excess water from it. Compare the test strip to the indicator key provided by the test-strip manufacturer to determine the water hardness.
  
  
• 4). Convert the result from ppm to gpg, if necessary, by dividing the result by 17.1. For example, a hardness of 118 ppm converts to 118 / 17.1 = 6.90 gpg.
  
  

Titration Method

• 1). Open a tap and allow the water to run for about 5 minutes. Next, fill the test bottle supplied with the kit to the indicated fill line.
  
  
• 2). Add the test reagent, also known as an indicator, to the water sample as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.
  
  
• 3). Add the titrant dropwise to the water sample while counting the drops and swirling the container. When the solution turns from pink to blue, stop adding the drops and refer to the chart provided with the kit to determine the water hardness. The hardness will depend on the number of titrant drops added to the solution.
  
  
• 4). Convert the result from ppm to gpg, if necessary, by dividing the result by 17.1. For example a hardness of 118 ppm converts to 118 / 17.1 = 6.90 gpg.