To test water to tell if it has salt content without having to drink it first. Privacy Policy The information is available in the annual drinking water quality report that you receive from your water supplier. Science fair project in which you will create your electricity by making a homemade battery using salt water, a nail, and a copper wire. That's because when you add salt to water, the salt molecules dissolve in the water and break into smaller parts called ions. The LIVESTRONG Foundation and LIVESTRONG.COM do not endorse 2020 Science fair project that uses distillation to convert salt water into fresh water. If you are concerned that your water softener is leaving a large amount of salt behind after it has completed its regeneration process, You can easily test your water with a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Meter. Copyright © How likely are you to recommend Education.com to your friends and colleagues? Copyright Policy Look at the reading, but do not record it. However, there are also disadvantages to using RO systems: Contact the local health department or New York State Department of Health District office in your county to discuss test results, treatment, alternate water sources, and health concerns. RO systems are very effective at removing water contaminants. If you are on public water, your water supplier tests regularly for sodium, chloride and many other chemicals. They may recommend that you work with a company that specializes in water treatment to learn more about your water chemistry, treatment options and cost. If you are on a salt-restricted diet, you might want to reduce the amount of sodium being released by your water softener. A tool, called a hydrometer, is used for at-home measuring of sodium levels. Take your buzzer and tape the red wire of the buzzer to the positive (+). Testing your water is the only way to know the levels for sure. Is there salt in your water? It doesn't complete the circuit, and the buzzer doesn't buzz if salt is not present. You can also check the sodium content of bottled water with your hydrometer. A mother of two and passionate fitness presenter, Lisa M. Wolfe had her first fitness article published in 2001. The ions carry electricity through the water. The amount of sodium in softened water is directly related to the amount of hardness in the water. If you decide to create an account with us in the future, you will need to enable cookies before doing so. Fresh water doesn't have these ions. Place your hydrometer in the water until you feel it reaching an equal pressure. She is the author of six fitness books and holds an Associate of Arts in exercise science from Oakland Community College. A great science project for elementary school kids. Take your buzzer and tape the red wire of the buzzer to the positive (+). Science fair project that compares tap water and bottled water for the presence of common impurities. Next cover your two Popsicle/craft sticks with aluminum foil. any of the products or services that are advertised on the web site. What could we do to improve Education.com? LIVESTRONG.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. When this salted water runs off, it seeps into your drinking water and other surface water through waterways. Seek a reading between 1.0256 and 1.0271 for optimum saltwater, or ocean density water. Have a plastic cup of tap water (label it). Rinse the container and lid three times with the water that will be tested. Use a clean plastic or glass container to collect a 1-quart sample. Since almost two-thirds of the public water supply comes from surface water like lakes and streams, it is possible for salts containing sodium to be dissolved in your drinking water. Stir the water gently to remove air bubbles. High sodium in well water can be a concern for people on low sodium diets. High chloride levels can cause plumbing corrosion problems, which could shorten the life of plumbing, hot water heaters and appliances, and increase the metal content of the water. Challenge your fourth grader to try to recreate the geography of her state using just flour, salt, and water. Let the water sit until it reaches room temperature. The ground next to the casing should slope away from the well and the area surrounding the well should be free of pooled water, debris, and waste. Reverse osmosis (RO) uses pressure to force water molecules through a membrane that removes particles, including salt, from the water. Health & Safety in the Home, Workplace & Outdoors, Clinical Guidelines, Standards & Quality of Care, All Health Care Professionals & Patient Safety, Department of Environmental Conservation registered well driller, Contact the local health department or New York State Department of Health District office in your county, Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in New York State, Learn About the Dangers of "Synthetic Marijuana", Help Increasing the Text Size in Your Web Browser. Have a plastic cup of tap water (label it). Thoroughly rinse your hydrometer for future use. Please note: Use the Contact Us link at the bottom of our website for account-specific questions or issues. Does your child know that salt water conducts electricity? They use a lot of water. diagnosis or treatment. Drilled wells are best, but they need to be properly located, constructed and maintained. Next cover your two Popsicle/craft sticks with aluminum foil. Leaf Group Ltd. To switch between accounts click on the account below. Therefore, when attached to a battery and buzzer you will be able to determine if there is salt in your tap water, your bottled water, or you can even collect rain water. Find out how fresh and salt water mix together in this water cycle worksheet. Other factors, such as water temperature, can also affect taste. When salt (also known as table salt or rock salt) dissolves in water, it forms sodium and chloride. The objective of this science fair project is to investigate salt water density. For more information about drinking water, contact your local health department or email us at bpwsp@health.ny.gov.