An on demand supply of purified laboratory water is crucial for the smooth operation of every laboratory, being used in processes ranging from glassware washing and reagent makeup, to cell analysis and critical path testing.

Laboratory water is required to meet varying levels of purity for different applications. The latest BS EN ISO 3696 standards define three measurable grades of water purity (grades 1, 2 and 3) for use in defined laboratory processes, with specific requirements and test methods for pH, electrical conductivity, TOC, absorbance, residue after evaporation, and silica content. Typically, grade 2 or 3 water is adequate for general laboratory duties such as glassware cleaning, while grade 1 is required for laboratory water used in analytical experimentation and testing. Similarly, ASTM D1193-99E1 standards define four types of water purity from Type I to Type IV. A further degree of purity can also be achieved, known as ultrapure water (UPW) or 18.2MΩ.cm water, which is required for critical laboratory applications such as AAS and cell culture.

A range of water purification solutions, specifically intended for use in the laboratory, is available, including small system units that can sit on a worktop or be wall mounted, and provide lower quantities of purified water, high volume self-contained units and fully integrated systems that offer large volumes of water via custom-built ring-mains.

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