10 Tips for Optimal Use of Your Turbidity Meter and Keeping Accurate Measurements

Proper care and use of your turbidity meter is crucial

Using a turbidity meter to check the turbidity of water in a treament plant or out in the field? Here are some tips to make sure you are getting optimal use and accurate results from your meter.

• Prepare your turbidity meter per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Determine turbidity as soon as possible after the sample is collected to ensure examination under original conditions.
• Wear gloves when taking measurements in the field or the lab. This prevents fingerprints or other smudges from landing on the vial surface and producing inaccurate readings. Similarly, make sure sample vials are clean—not scratched or dirty—and have a protective case.
• Keep in mind that vibration can produce inaccurate readings. Take measurements on a level, stationary surface that is not affected by motor or machinery movement.
• Gently agitate samples to ensure a representative measurement.
• If storage is required, cool to 4° C to minimize microbiological decomposition of solids.
• Keep cells scrupulously clean, inside and out, and discard if scratched or etched. Never handle them near the instrument’s light beam.
• Fill cells with samples and standards—allow sufficient time for bubbles to escape. Because small differences between sample cells can significantly impact measurement, use either matched pairs of cells or the same cell for both standardization and sample measurement.
• Turbidity meters should be calibrated with the appropriate calibration standard in each measuring range.
• Review the turbidity information located on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website.

Need a turbidity meter?

Invest in a turbidity meter kit. A turbidity meter kit gives you everything you need in one bundle. We recommend the new Oakton^® Portable Turbidity Meter Kit. It features feature five calibration points—0 NTU, 20 NTU, 100 NTU, 400 NTU, and 800 NTU. The 0 NTU uses laboratory distilled or deionized water, while the other four calibration points are configured using high molecule polymer standard solutions included in the kits. The meters also include normal and continuous measurement modes, parameter setup, data recall, real-time clock, calibration date check, automatic power off, and low voltage indication. The continuous measure mode allows you to automatically generate average, maximum and minimum measured values in a data storage interface, suitable for sample solutions with rapid settling and continuous measurement changes.

The large TFT color screen displays a blue background for measurement mode, green background for calibration mode, and features operation guides for easy calibration and measurement. YOu can store up to 200 sets of data on this meter and transfer this data to your computer for future analysis with included USB interface cable.

Learn more about Oakton products.