Laboratory water is primarily divided into three types. From Type III for general use such as rinsing out beakers, to Type I for sensitive applications. The different types of purified water are used for many procedures within commercial, industrial and research laboratories, such as for scientific experiments, diagnostic testing, and analysis. High purity water is required within these settings to maintain accuracy, control, and effectiveness, by reducing and eliminating contaminants.
DEFINING HIGH PURITY WATER TYPES
There are various requirements and parameters surrounding high purity water, which are used to separate the water into three types, with Type I being the purest. This division serves as a guideline as to what type of water should be used for specific procedures within laboratory settings. In order to distinguish between the different types of high purity water, specialised tests are carried out to assess the various properties and possible contaminants within the water. These include:
| Conductivity - This involves the measurement of ion levels and inorganic impurities within the water, measured in microSiemens per centimeter (µS/cm). Conductivity is typically used when assessing water ranging from 'raw water' to 'drinking water' and provides a valuable, non-specific indication of the level of ions in the water. |
 |