Title
Hach “Water Analysis Kit” – Vintage Field Test Set for Iron & pH
Author
N/A (Field Laboratory Equipment)
Image
Description
This compact vintage water testing kit, labeled simply “WATER ANALYSIS KIT”, was manufactured by Hach Chemical Co., a leading supplier of field and lab test equipment. The kit includes:
A full row of colorimetric standards for iron concentration (marked from 0 to 5.0 ppm)
Multiple pH comparison vials, including pH 5.0, 7.0, and 8.0 indicators
Dropper bottles labeled numerically and chemically (including one marked “FerroVer” reagent, used for iron analysis)
A folded comparator clip for color analysis
One empty test vial and a glass reaction tube
The design and materials suggest a production date from the 1950s–1970s, during a boom in public health testing programs and industrial water monitoring in the U.S. The kit’s internal compartments are formed from molded cream-colored plastic with slots for each reagent and tube.
Condition
The case is structurally intact but shows heavy edge wear, scuffing, and a detached hinge pin. The interior is dusty but largely complete. Several vials remain filled and labeled, though contents are likely expired. The labels are faded but legible. A small metal comparator clip is oxidized but present.
Gallery
Historical context
Founded in 1947, Hach Chemical Company pioneered simplified water quality testing for both field and lab use. Their kits were widely used by municipal health departments, environmental engineers, and military field teams to assess potability and detect industrial pollutants.
In a time when waterborne diseases like typhoid and cholera were still public health concerns, kits like this allowed rapid, on-site testing—especially in rural or developing areas.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
he “FerroVer” reagent included here uses a ferrous ion colorimetric method to test for iron levels.
The molded vial rack design allowed technicians to visually match solution color against a permanent comparator.
The use of portable water test kits surged after World War II during rapid urban expansion and rural sanitation efforts.
Excerpt
For quick determination of total iron in water, using the FerroVer method. Provides color matching from 0 to 5 ppm.” — Hach Chemical Co. Field Guide, circa 1960s
Why it is in the Cabinet
This water analysis kit reflects a crucial intersection of public health, chemistry, and environmental medicine. It highlights the tools once used to protect communities from contaminated water supplies—especially before modern automated lab systems. Its preservation offers a window into field-based diagnostic and surveillance work from the mid-20th century.
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