Before starting your science fair project you must acquire the necessary tools to test and collect water and pH levels. Start by purchasing several plastic containers of equal size. You will collect the water samples in these containers. From here, label each one of the containers so you can write down where and how you retrieved the water. You will also need to acquire a pH level kit complete with a standard color chart and a water-soluble mixture of litmus and muriatic acid.
After collecting your supplies, go to various water sources around town to collect water samples. Make sure you collect two plastic container samples of each water source so you can test pH and chlorine levels on uncontaminated samples. Fill each plastic container with an equal amount of water using a pen to label on the container where you got the water from and whether it came out of a pool, tap, water fountain or bottled water. Getting water from natural, untreated sources such as natural springs, rivers or lakes will also help further diversify your data and pH testing.
After you have collected your samples, it is time to test the pH levels of each water sample. Start by taking out a piece of paper and your color chart. From here, place five drops of your litmus solution into the first container of water, swirling it around as you do so. Let it sit for several seconds before looking on your color chart to see what color it corresponds to. Make a note for each water sample you take.
To test your water samples for chlorine, you will have to perform a similar process to pH testing. Place five drops of muriatic acid into your uncontaminated water sample, swirling it before recording its corresponding data to your color chart. A healthy level of chlorine found in drinking water should be less than 100 milligrams per liter while a regular amount of chlorine in a pool will be significantly higher because it is designed to kill bacteria in the water.