Do You Know What You are Drinking? Kelly Mannion

Background Information Bacteria: dangerous microbes found in the environment Lead: a metal found in natural deposits Pesticides: deadly chemicals used to kill harmful elements in crops. Nitrates and Nitrite: harmful pollutants resulting from animal or human wastes coming in contact with water. pH: the measure of acidity Hardness: caused by magnesium and calcium compounds Chlorine: a drinking water disinfectant

Question What is the quality of ice in local convenient stores?

Hypothesis There will be variances in the quality of ice in local convenient stores depending on the results of the tests performed.

Variables Independent: the source of the ice Dependent: the water quality of the ice Constants: the collection process, the container the ice is stored in, the testing methodology, the time between collection and testing, and the temperature of the water when tested Control: the amount of water taken as samples, and the testing procedure

Procedure I Collect ice from local convenient stores (label the cups accordingly) Allow all ice to melt completely Bacteria test: fill bacteria test vial with water and shake for 20 seconds. Let stand for 48 hours then observe the results. Lead/Pesticide test: place two dropper-fuls of the water sample into the test vial, swirl, and place both test strips into the test vial. Let stand for 10 minutes then observe. Nitrate/Nitrite test: immerse testing pads into the water sample for 2 seconds, then observe results after 1 minute

Procedure II pH/Hardness/Chlorine test: immerse testing pad into water sample and remove immediately. Hold the strip level for 15 seconds, then observe results. Repeat tests for all water samples.

Data I Water SampleNegativePositive WaWaX Cumberland FarmsX McDonaldsX Panera BreadX 711X Pesticide Test: Water SampleNegativePositive WaWaX Cumberland FarmsX McDonaldsX Panera BreadX 711X Lead Test:

Data II Water SampleLow Nitrite (0 ppm)0.5 ppm WaWaX Cumberland FarmsX McDonaldsX Panera BreadX 711X Nitrate/Nitrite Test: Water SampleLow Nitrite (0 ppm)0.15 ppm WaWaX Cumberland FarmsX McDonaldsX Panera BreadX 711X Nitrite Test:

Data III Water SampleNormalAcidic WaWaX Cumberland FarmsX McDonaldsX Panera BreadX 711X pH Test: Water Sample0 ppm50 ppm WaWaX Cumberland FarmsX McDonaldsX Panera BreadX 711X Hardness Test:

Data IV Water Sample0 ppm2.0 ppm WaWaX Cumberland FarmsX McDonaldsX Panera BreadX 711X Chlorine Test: Water SampleNegativePositive WaWaX Cumberland FarmsX McDonaldsX Panera BreadX 711X Bacteria Test:

Limitations Possible cross contamination Exposed to open air Only one sample was tested from each ice location

Conclusion The ice collected from local convenient stores is clean and free of harmful contaminants All ice was at a healthy level for bacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrates/nitrites, pH, harness, and chlorine The results rejected the hypothesis in the sense that there was no variation between the different ice sources. All ice sources were clean.

Works Cited “Get Ahead of Lead! Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water.” Department of Health. New York State, Jan Web. 3 Dec Harrison, Steve. “Health Effects of Chlorine in Drinking Water.” Pure Earth Technologies Inc. Pure Earth Technologies, 2 Feb Web. 3 Dec Hart, Anna. “Science Fair Project on Testing Drinking Water.” Ezine Articles. N.p., 2 Mar Web. 3 Dec New York State Department of Health. “Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water Supplies.” Department of Health. New York State, Mar Web. 3 Dec Washington State Department of Health. “Nitrate in Drinking Water.” Division of Enviornmental Health Office of Drinking Water. Washington State Department of Health, 28 Sept Web. 3 Dec WaterSafe. “WaterSafe Science Project Kit.” N.d. HTML file.