Tank Water Essentials Test & Kit

The Rainwater Tank Essentials Water Test provides a broad everyday assessment of rainwater quality for households that rely on tank water, and we supply everything you need to get your samples safely to a NATA-Accredited lab. 

Beyond bacteria, tanks can contain sediment, nutrients, metals (like lead or zinc), bushfire ash residues, agricultural or urban chemicals, and by-products from decaying organic matter. Many of these are invisible, don’t affect taste or smell, and won’t be picked up by the basic test yet they influence long-term safety, treatment effectiveness, and suitability for drinking, babies, or vulnerable people.

This test isn’t about assuming something is wrong; it’s about knowing what’s present so treatment and use decisions are based on evidence, not appearance and you know what's in your water.

What’s included

Microbial indicators

• E. coli

Core water characteristics

• pH
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
• Turbidity
• Hardness (as CaCO₃)

Nutrients

• Nitrate
• Nitrite

Major minerals

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Sodium
• Potassium

Metals

• Iron
• Manganese
• Copper
• Zinc
• Lead
• Aluminium
• Nickel
• Arsenic

Together, these indicators provide a well-rounded picture of rainwater quality relevant to everyday household use.

What you get:

• Official Certificate Of Analysis by a NATA-Accredited Laboratory
• Results Summary including fact-sheets & guides on interpreting your results
• Access to non-biased filter, water treatment and other water product recommendations tailored to your specific results.

This test is designed to give a full profile of your water quality against ADWG health and aesthetic guidelines so you can make quick decisions about your families consumption, filtration or maintenance requirements. 

Who this test is best suited for:

• Households using rainwater as a primary or regular drinking supply
• Families wanting reliable baseline water data to improve their health 
• Tank owners seeking clarity before making decisions about maintenance, treatment, or filtration

Turnaround & reporting:

• Standard Turnaround time: 5–7 business days from lab receipt of samples
• If results are required sooner, please let us know and we can upgrade your oder (fees apply).

Already have a filter in place?

If your rainwater system includes UV disinfection or multi-stage filtration, you may want testing that also looks at:

• UV system performance indicators
• A wider chemical profile relevant to treated water systems

If this is you, you may want to upgrade your test to Essentials Plus which includes UV detection and expanded parameters to profile system health. 

How customers typically use these results:

Customers commonly use this test to:

• Confirm whether microbial indicators are detected or absent
• Understand if your water contains hidden contaminants such as lead
• Decide whether routine maintenance or treatment may be worthwhile
• Gain confidence in their water quality for everyday household use over time

If results show unexpected indicators, customers often use the information to guide practical next steps. If results fall within expected ranges, many households simply retain the report as a reference point and forms part of routine tank-health testing. 

Please note:

• Results reflect the condition of the water at the time of collection
• Rainwater quality can change due to weather, system condition, and usage patterns
• This test does not assess every possible contaminant or environmental compound

This assessment is designed to inform understanding and practical decision-making, not to certify water as safe or unsafe or replace professional, medical, or engineering advice.

Regulatory & Use Disclaimer:

This assessment evaluates selected indicators only. It does not determine suitability for all individuals or uses, nor does it assess all potential contaminants. Results should be interpreted within context and alongside professional advice where appropriate.