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Testing

Jar testing

Bench testing that compares coagulant, pH and settling behaviour on a representative sample, giving the team evidence to plan the next step.
Request HES Basin Jar TestingFrequently asked questionsSee real field work
A representative site-water sample in a jar-testing flask

Who this is for

Civil environmental managers, consulting engineers and treatment operators

Your operating priority

Choose a defensible chemistry and starting dose for the water actually on site.

Before you specify or buy

Provide representative samples and target conditions; compare dose response, pH and settling, then allow for field verification and changing inflows.

Critical Elixirs field work

Product samples, field equipment and testing

Critical Elixirs at work: product samples, field testing, measurement and dosing equipment used to assess and optimise treatment.

  • Jar test sample of site water
    Jar test sample. Jar testing compares options on your own water.
  • Water sample with settled material at the bottom of a flask
    Water sample with visible settling in the flask.

What is covered

  • Bench-scale comparison of selected coagulants and pH conditions.
  • Observe floc formation and settling response under defined test conditions.
  • Record test conditions and observations to inform further trials or process review.
  • Testing informs a treatment decision; it does not guarantee universal compliance or full-scale performance.

What we will ask you

  • Representative sample, source and collection time
  • Current treatment and the question the test should answer
  • Target conditions and approval requirements

This page is information only. Pricing, availability and specifications are provided through an enquiry.

Critical Elixirs · HES Basin jar-test results

From over 2,000 NTU to under 26 NTU.

We achieved this turbidity reduction in a recent HES Basin jar test. NTU is a measure of turbidity—the cloudiness caused by suspended material. Our photographs show the tested water samples and the treated-sample meter reading.

HES Basin jar-test beakers with a cloudy brown sample and clearer samples with settled solids
Our jar-test samples show the change in water clarity and the solids settled through treatment.
ProDSS meter photographed during HES Basin jar testing, displaying a turbidity reading below 26 NTU
The treated-sample meter reading was below 26 NTU, following treatment of water starting above 2,000 NTU.

Jar testing establishes the treatment approach for the sampled water. We then assess field dosing, mixing, settling and monitoring against the project’s operating requirements. Discharge decisions remain subject to the site’s approval conditions.

How jar testing informs HES Basin treatment

Straight answers

Frequently asked questions

Can jar testing determine the right dose for an HES basin?
Jar testing compares chemical dose, pH response and settling on a representative sample and provides a starting point for site trials. Translate results to actual mixing, inflow and equipment delivery, then verify performance as conditions change. A bench result is not a universal operating dose or a discharge guarantee.
Does a jar test guarantee full-scale results?
No. Bench conditions differ from site mixing, flow and water variability. Testing informs selection and may indicate what to trial at scale.
How much sample is needed?
The required volume depends on the test plan and sample variability. The team can confirm sample collection and handling before testing.
Why can coagulant addition lower pH?
Many metal-salt coagulants consume alkalinity during hydrolysis. Poorly buffered water may show a significant pH drop. Record starting and post-dose pH, assess buffering and compare controlled pH adjustment in tests rather than simply adding more coagulant.
Can you calibrate our basin dosing with another supplier’s chemistry?
Yes. Calibration and reporting can be scoped independently of chemical supply. Confirm product concentration, flow and actual pump delivery, then verify mixing, settling and downstream response in a field trial. A jar result or calibrated pump does not authorise discharge.

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