Maintaining pool water quality goes beyond just checking chlorine and pH. Metals, detergents, and oxygen levels can all impact safety, compliance, and the swimmer experience. For commercial pool operators, councils, and service technicians, having the right pool water test kit in Australia ensures a complete understanding of water chemistry.
This guide explores three specialised swimming pool testing kits in Australia available from LaMotte Pacific: the Copper & Iron Metchek Test Kit, the Detergent Test Kit, and the Dissolved Oxygen Test Kit. Each plays a unique role in protecting water systems and enhancing operational control.
Why copper and iron matter
Copper and iron often enter pools from source water, corroded pipes, or metal fittings. Elevated levels can cause:
Staining: Blue-green or rust-coloured marks on surfaces.
Discoloration: Water taking on a cloudy or tinted appearance.
Equipment damage: Corrosion of heaters, pumps, and filters.
How the kit works
This pool test kit in Australia provides simple visual analysis for copper and iron:
Copper test: Add 3 drops of copper reagent to a 5 mL water sample, then match the colour to the chart (0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0 ppm).
Iron test: Add 5 drops of iron reagent plus one Iron TesTabs® tablet, then compare the colour after the reaction.
The kit includes test tubes, reagents, a clear colour chart, and enough materials for 50 tests.
Benefits
Quick, low-cost detection of metals.
Prevents expensive repairs from long-term corrosion.
Helps operators maintain aesthetically clean pools that swimmers trust.
Why detergents matter in pools
While detergents are not typically part of standard pool checks, they are increasingly relevant. Detergents and surfactants may enter pool water through:
Residues from swimwear washed with soaps.
Contamination from cleaning supplies.
Stormwater inflows in outdoor pools.
Excess detergents can cause foaming, interfere with chlorine disinfection, and create an unpleasant swimming environment.
How the kit works
The LaMotte Detergent Test Kit detects anionic surfactants:
Surfactants are extracted with toluene.
This breaks up an ion pair and releases bromophenol blue into the water layer.
Using a drop-count method, the concentration of detergents is measured in ppm.
Benefits
Provides sensitive detection of surfactant contamination.
Supports rapid troubleshooting when foaming or sanitation issues occur.
Complements standard swimming pool test kits in Australia by adding a layer of chemical assurance.
Dissolved Oxygen Test Kit
Why dissolved oxygen matters
While dissolved oxygen (DO) is most commonly measured in environmental or aquaculture applications, it can also provide useful insights for pools:
Detecting stagnation: Low DO may indicate dead spots in circulation.
Microbial growth: Poorly oxygenated areas can harbour bacteria and algae.
System health: Good oxygen levels support a balanced aquatic environment.
How the kit works
The LaMotte Dissolved Oxygen Kit uses the Direct Reading Titrator method, based on the Winkler method:
Add reagents to a water sample.
Use the titrator to determine oxygen concentration directly in ppm.
Provides results in the 0–10 ppm range with 0.2 ppm resolution.
Benefits
Offers quantitative, accurate oxygen readings.
Enhances understanding of overall water health.
Helps operators optimise circulation and filtration systems.
Why These Kits Complement Standard Pool Testing
Most pool water test kits in Australia focus on chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and hardness. While those are essential, specialised kits like copper/iron, detergent, and oxygen provide deeper insight into potential issues that affect:
Compliance: Supporting local regulations and reporting.
Operational efficiency: Reducing downtime and unexpected costs.
Customer experience: Clear, safe, and pleasant water encourages return visits.
Choosing the Right Test Kit for Your Pool
| Concern |
Symptom |
Best Kit |
| Metal staining, discoloured water |
Blue-green or rust marks |
Copper & Iron Metchek |
| Foaming or chemical imbalance |
Bubbles or persistent foam |
Detergent Test Kit |
| Circulation or microbial issues |
Algae growth, cloudy water |
Dissolved Oxygen Kit |
Final Thoughts
Investing in specialised swimming pool test kits in Australia helps operators move beyond the basics of chlorine and pH. Whether preventing stains with the Copper & Iron Metchek Kit, diagnosing foaming with the Detergent Kit, or monitoring water health with the Dissolved Oxygen Kit, these tools add measurable value to routine testing.
For councils, aquatic centres, and service providers, incorporating these kits into standard operating procedures ensures safer, cleaner pools and better protection for infrastructure—making them a smart addition to any pool test kit in Australia lineup.
For Further Enquiry Contact: sales@lamottepacific.com
