Get curious about the water.

The Hello, Water Field Test Kit is a community science kit designed for anyone who gets in the water and gets curious. Swimmers, anglers, paddlers, hunters, hikers… you get in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. You’re curious.  This is for you.

Each kit contains easy to use instruments to track the most pressing indicators of water quality: temperature, e coli bacterial loads, harmful algae toxin levels, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and 13 more parameters. An instructional brochure with clear, straightforward information opens the door to learning about water. Each test comes with a step-by-step guide to proper sample collection, testing, and interpretation of the results. 

Contents:

• 1 insulated soft side carrying case

• 1 instructional brochure

• 2 data log cards

• 1 digital thermometer with a C to F conversion chart

• 20, 16-parameter test strips. Results in 5 minutes

• 1 E. Coli test for harmful bacterial loads. Results within 24-48 hours, no incubation required (from Aquagenx labs, certified by EPA & WHO)

• 2 harmful algae toxin tests. Results in 15 minutes (from Abraxis labs and Detekt labs, certified by EPA & WHO)

• 1, 10ml pipette for water sample collection

• 6 surgical gloves to use for water sample collection and testing

• 1 lovely WaterStrong bumper sticker designed by local Oregon artist and open water marathon swimmer, Jennifer Mercede

We have prepared a limited quantity of these kits for sale to raise funds to support WaterStrong community programs.

In addition, a team of WaterStrong volunteers have begun collecting data at popular swim locations, to be published on the WaterStrong website and shared publicly through an interactive mapping tool.

We’re selling these kits at $180 each. Every dollar supports WaterStrong community programs in drowning prevention and environmental education around water.

The SwimSense strips offer real time monitoring for recreational waters. Use this test every time you get in the water. Results return in less than 5 minutes, providing indicators of healthy or imbalanced water ecosystems.

Changing freshwater conditions may contribute to issues including skin irritation, stomach upset and exposure to pollutants or toxins. Heavy rainfall, agricultural runoff, warmer temperatures and environmental conditions can all impact water quality within a short period of time.

This field test is esigned for anyone who gets in the water, the SwimSense Field Test Kit provides additional real-time insight at the water’s edge to help support more informed outdoor adventures.

dThe SwimSense Field Test Kit is designed as a rapid screening and educational tool only. It does not replace laboratory analysis or local safety guidance and cannot guarantee water safety. Always use your own judgement and follow local advice before entering the water.

Parameters include: pH, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia nitrogen, lead, copper, total chlorine, alkalinity, mercury, cyanuric acid, bromine, mercury, carbonate, iron, fluoride, chromium

All surface waters (lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, oceans, etc) are home to bacteria, it’s nature! But when could the bacterial cause illness? This field test measures the likelihood of a harmful bacterial load in recreation waters.

Use this test after heavy rains or overflow incidents, or in waters near livestock or heavily populated areas.

• No incubation needed

• Designed for low resource environments

• Easy to use color coded chart for reading the results

The Aquagenx CBT EC+TC MPN Kit simultaneously detects and quantifies E. coli (EC) and Total Coliform (TC) bacteria in a 100 mL sample. It uses a proprietary powder growth medium with a glucose substrate called X-Gluc. When E. coli metabolize this substrate in Aquagenx’s growth medium, the color of the water turns blue, indicating the presence of E. coli. The growth medium also contains a fluorogenic galactoside substrate called MUGal. If total coliforms are present, they metabolize this fluorogenic substrate and the sample fluoresces blue under UV light (365 nm). Most Probable Number (MPN) test results are obtained by easy color match using the Aquagenx color-coded MPN Table.

For more information, visit the Aquagenx website.

These field tests are provided to WaterStrong through agreements with the manufacturer Aquagenx labs.

Find out whether the HABs in your lake, pond or river could be harmful for dogs or humans.

This is an advanced field kit similar to the tests used by regulatory agencies. Use this test during HAB advisories or if you notice signs of an algal bloom. Results in approximately 30 minutes.

Detailed information from the manufacturer:

The Abraxis Gold Standard Microcystins Strip Test for Recreational Water is a rapid immunochromatographic test, designed solely for the use in the qualitative screening of Microcystins and Nodularins in recreational water (freshwater samples only). A rapid cell lysis step (QuikLyse) performed prior to testing is required to measure total Microcystins (dissolved, or free, plus cell-bound). The Abraxis Microcystins Strip Test provides only preliminary qualitative test results. If necessary, positive samples can be confirmed by ELISA, HPLC or other conventional methods.

The test is based on the recognition of Microcystins, Nodularins, and their congeners by specific antibodies. The toxin conjugate competes for antibody binding sites with Microcystins/Nodularins that may be present in the water sample. The test device consists of a vial containing specific antibodies for Microcystins and Nodularins labeled with a gold colloid and a membrane strip to which a conjugate of the toxin is attached. A control line, produced by a different antibody/antigen reaction, is also present on the membrane strip. The control line is not influenced by the presence or absence of Microcystins in the water sample and, therefore, should be present in all reactions.

In the absence of toxin in the water sample, the colloidal gold labeled antibody complex moves with the water sample by capillary action to contact the immobilized Microcystins conjugate. An antibody-antigen reaction occurs forming a visible line in the ‘test’ area. The formation of two visible lines of similar intensity indicates a negative test result, meaning the test did not detect the toxin at or above the cut-off point established for the toxin. If Microcystins are present in the water sample, they compete with the immobilized toxin conjugate in the test area for the antibody binding sites on the colloidal gold labeled complex. If a sufficient amount of toxin is present, it will fill all of the available binding sites, thus preventing attachment of the labeled antibody to the toxin conjugate, therefore preventing the development of a colored line.

If a colored line is not visible in the test line region, or if the test line is lighter than the control line, Microcystins are present at a level > 2.5 ppb. Semi-quantitative results in the range of 0-10 ppb can be obtained by comparing the sample test strip appearance to the appearance of test strips from solutions of known Microcystins concentrations (control solutions). Microcystins controls are available through Eurofins Abraxis (PN 422011).

Blue-Green Algae Toxin Test is a fast cyanobacteria water test kit that helps detect harmful blue-green algae toxins in ponds and lakes in about 10 minutes. With 99% accuracy, no lab fees, and EPA-trusted performance, it gives you a clear way to check recreational water before people, pets, or livestock are exposed.

• Detects harmful blue-green algae toxins in river, pond and lake water

• Delivers results in about 10 minutes for quick screening

• 99% accurate for confident decision-making

• No lab submission or extra lab fees required

• Trusted by EPA and made in the USA

Compared to lab-based testing, this kit is faster and easier to use when you need answers the same day. Unlike relying on water color or surface scum alone, it helps confirm whether cyanobacteria toxins may be present with a measurable test result. That makes it useful after hot weather, during visible algal blooms, or anytime water conditions suddenly change.

Use it to check swim zones, backyard ponds, lakes, farm ponds, fishing spots, stormwater retention ponds, and other freshwater areas where people or animals may come into contact with the water. If you want a practical first step before swimming, letting dogs near the shore, or managing a property with standing water, this test kit gives you a reliable read without sending samples to a lab.

Click here for more information.