Rainwater Tank Test Kit Results Guide

What this kit checks

Rainwater picks up its character from your roof, gutters and tank. Each measure has its own detailed guide:

• pH — rain is naturally slightly acidic
• Zinc — from galvanised roofs and gutters
• Lead — from old flashings and fittings
• Copper — from copper roofs and pipes
• Nitrate — from leaves and organic debris

Reading your strip

Stir or run the tank water first so you sample what you’d actually use, dip a strip for two seconds, wait 30 seconds and match each pad against the colour chart.

What to do next

• Metals climbing? A first-flush diverter keeps the dirtiest roof runoff out of the tank, and cleaning gutters helps more than it should.
• Slightly acidic readings are normal for rain; very low pH plus metals suggests the water is picking them up on the way down.
• Rainwater is not drinking water without proper treatment — and if people or animals will touch it, pair this kit with a rapid bacteria test.