Water Quality
The importance of water quality is critical
The effects of water quality can often be overlooked, but as water is the most common solvent used in laboratories. Its quality is key to getting the expected and not ruined results. Similarly using poor water quality in a healthcare environment or in clinical diagnostrics can potentially be life threatening. Understanding the importance of water is critical.
Internationally recognised water quality standards define the different types of water quality starting with Type I through to Type III.
Achieving the correct water quality depends on selecting the correct purification technologies and a system design that accurately measures and monitors contaminants. Producing pure water is only part of the equation; validating quality, storing water and maintenance are also key to ensuring you have the water quality you need.
Are You Using the Right Quality of Water
Different levels of quality are required for a vast range of applications, therefore different grades of water must be purified and utilized to match the required procedures or appliances.
| Grade of Water |
Resisitivity (M-cm) | TOC (ppb) | Bacteria (CFU/ml) | *Endotoxin (EU/ml) | Typical Applications |
| Type 1+ | 18.2 | <5 | <1 | <0.03 | GF-AAS, ICP-MS, trace metal detection |
| Type 1 | >18 | <10 | <10 | <0.03 | HPLC, GC, AAS, immunocytochemistry, mammalian cell culture, plant tissue culture |
| Type 2+ | >10 | <50 | <10 | NA | General laboratory applications requiring higher inorganic purity |
| Type 2 | >1 | <50 | <100 | NA | Feed to ultra pure type 1 systems, feed to clinical analyzers, electrochemistry, sample dilution, media preparation, radioimmunoassay |
| Type 3 | >0.05 | <200 | <1000 | NA | Feed to ultra pure water type 1 systems, feed to washing machines, dishwashers, autoclaves |
*only applicable to critical life science based applications
What water quality should you use for your application?
Find a water purification system which meets your water quality needs
