H2S strip test: a water quality testing kit for bacteriological contamination

The H2S Strip test is a simple kit for a first testing of bacteriological contamination. The test is being sold by a couple of vendors and the price ranges from Rs 10/- to Rs 20/- per piece.

Test instructions


1. Fill the water to be tested up to 'FILL LINE' and replace the cap.


2. Keep at room temperature (preferably 250 - 370C) for the specified time below
Temperature Range Average	Incubation Period
30 - 350 C	24 Hours
25 - 300 C	24 - 36 Hours
20 - 250 C	36 - 48 Hours
15 - 200 C	48 - 60 Hours
3. Observe for the change in colour of the medium.
4. a) If the content turns black, water is not fit for drinking. Refer to adjacent picture. b) If the content turns into any color other than black, it indicates that water is free of bacteriological contamination.


5. Add few drops of some disinfectant (i.e. dettol, phenyl etc.) and discard.

A paper from WHO assessing the scientific validity of the H2S Strip test: Read More

If you have performed the H2S Strip test, click here to add the result of your H2S strip test to our database.
Click here

Manufacturers' details

1. Development Alternatives

DA manufactures H2S Vials/strip at its own Facility-TARA Environment Monitoring Facility,Delhi under the name of "TARA-Aqua Check". DA has been in this business for 10 years and has supplied in thousands to various customers in India and abroad. They have got the License from National Research Developement Corporation(NRDC), New Delhi for its commercialization. NRDC has made mandatory that suppliers/manufacturers of H2S strip kits/vials should obtain a licensing certificate from NRDC, then take necessary training from DRDE-Gwalior for its production/quality control, etc.

DA's address for contact:
Development Alternatives,
B-32 TARA Crescent Qutab Instituonal Area,
New Delhi-110016,
Phone:011-26890380
Production site:
TARA-Environment Monitoring Facility,
TARA Nirman Kendra, Near NBCC Building,
M.G.Road, New Delhi-110030,
Phone: 011-26806172,26801521,26804482.
Cost of single vial: Rs.20+12.5% as VAT/CST+Rs.5 as Freight. Vials are sold in packs of 10.

2. Water Health Laboratories

Click here

3. M/s LTEK SYSTEMS

Click here

What to do if your test says water is contaminated?

You should take a sample of the water to a testing lab to confirm the results of the strip test. You can try any of the following methods to manage a problem with contaminated water:

Boil it before consumption.
Use chlorination.
Use Solar Disinfection (SODIS). Learn more about SODIS at click here or search on the web.
Harvest and consume rainwater

Click here to get contact details of water testing labs across the country.

Also view other water quality test kits for field use