Specifications

Application

The Milwaukee MW10 Free Chlorine Mini Colorimeter is a versatile, portable photometer designed for measuring free chlorine levels in water. Its applications span various industries and settings where accurate chlorine monitoring is essential. Below is a list of its primary applications, starting with the most critical and widely used.

Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution

Ensuring access to safe, potable water is one of the most essential functions of any public health infrastructure. At the heart of this mission is free chlorine monitoring, a crucial process for disinfecting water and eliminating pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

However, this is a delicate balance:

• Too little chlorine, and harmful microorganisms can survive, putting public health at risk.
• Too much chlorine, and you risk unpleasant taste and odor, corrosion of pipes, and the formation of potentially harmful by-products like trihalomethanes (THMs).

The Milwaukee MW10 provides a simple, portable, and highly accurate way to measure free chlorine levels in drinking water – helping water technicians, field inspectors, and maintenance crews make data-driven adjustments on the spot.

This makes the MW10 ideal for:

• Municipal water treatment plants conducting routine chlorination monitoring at distribution points
• On-site testing at reservoirs, pipelines, or storage tanks
• Well owners verifying the safety of their private water supply after disinfection treatments
• Emergency water quality assessments after contamination events or during system maintenance

Its ease of use means even small water utilities and rural communities with limited technical resources can achieve professional-grade monitoring – right from the field.

How to Use the MW10 for Drinking Water Testing

1. Collect Your Sample
• Rinse the included cuvette 2–3 times with the water sample you are about to test.
• Fill the cuvette to the marked line (approximately 10 mL) with your drinking water sample.
2. Zero the Instrument
• Wipe the outside of the cuvette with a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any droplets or fingerprints.
• Insert the sample cuvette into the MW10 without any reagents and press the button. This sets a “zero” reference point.
3. Add Reagent
• Remove the cuvette and carefully add one packet of the MI524-25 free chlorine reagent.
• Cap the cuvette and gently invert it several times to fully dissolve the reagent.
4. Insert and Read
• Reinsert the cuvette into the MW10.
• Press the button again. The MW10 will display the free chlorine level (in ppm) on its digital screen within seconds.
5. Interpret the Results
• According to the WHO and EPA, free chlorine levels should generally be between 0.2 and 0.5 ppm for safe and effective disinfection.
• Levels over 1.0 ppm may be excessive for drinking water and could affect taste or safety.
• Make any dosing or treatment adjustments based on the result.
6. After Testing
• Rinse the cuvette thoroughly with distilled or deionized water.
• Store your MW10 in a dry place away from sunlight.

Wastewater Treatment

In wastewater treatment, chlorine is commonly used in the final disinfection stage to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms before the treated water is discharged into the environment. However, while disinfection is vital for public health, residual chlorine levels must be carefully controlled – especially when water is released into natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, or coastal zones.

Why It Matters:

• Excess chlorine in discharged effluent can harm aquatic ecosystems, killing beneficial microorganisms, fish, and plants.
• Insufficient chlorine can leave dangerous bacteria or viruses in the effluent, potentially contaminating downstream water sources.
• Environmental agencies typically impose strict limits (e.g., <0.5 ppm) for free chlorine levels in treated wastewater, making real-time monitoring an operational necessity.

The Milwaukee MW10 empowers wastewater operators, technicians, and environmental consultants to quickly and accurately measure free chlorine on-site, without needing a laboratory. Its compact size and digital readout reduce human error and allow for spot-checks at various discharge points, holding tanks, and treatment stages.

Whether used at a municipal treatment plant, an industrial facility, or a decentralized wastewater system, the MW10 ensures regulatory compliance and environmental protection.

How to Use the MW10 for Wastewater Testing

1. Sample Preparation
• Wastewater samples often contain particulates and organic matter. It is recommended to filter the sample (e.g., using a 0.45 μm filter) if clarity is poor, as turbidity can interfere with optical readings.
• Rinse the cuvette several times with the filtered wastewater sample.
2. Fill the Cuvette
• Fill the cuvette with the filtered sample up to the 10 mL mark.
• Wipe the outside with a clean, dry cloth to remove water and fingerprints.
3. Zero the Meter
• Insert the cuvette (with no reagent) into the MW10 and press the button to zero the instrument. This accounts for sample color or background interference.
4. Add Reagent
• Remove the cuvette and open one packet of Milwaukee MI524-25 chlorine reagent.
• Add the reagent to the sample, close the cap, and gently invert the cuvette until the powder fully dissolves.
5. Measure Free Chlorine
• Reinsert the cuvette into the MW10 and press the button again.
• The meter will display the free chlorine level in ppm within seconds.
6. Interpretation
• Compare the reading against your local discharge permit limits. Typical allowable levels for free chlorine in effluent are around 0.1 to 0.5 ppm, but this varies by region.
• Take corrective action if chlorine levels exceed acceptable thresholds – such as adjusting dechlorination dosage or investigating dosing inconsistencies.
7. Post-Test Maintenance
• Rinse the cuvette thoroughly with distilled water.
• Store your MW10 in a clean, dry place to maintain optical performance.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Chlorine is the cornerstone of water sanitation in swimming pools and spas. It keeps water free from harmful bacteria, viruses, algae, and other pathogens that thrive in warm, shared environments. However, while effective disinfection is critical, maintaining the right level of free chlorine is equally important for user comfort, water clarity, and equipment longevity.

Why It Matters:

• Too little chlorine increases the risk of recreational water illnesses (RWIs), such as skin infections, eye irritation, and gastrointestinal issues.
• Excess chlorine can cause strong chemical odors, skin and eye irritation, bleaching of swimsuits, and corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment.
• Public pools and spas are often subject to health department regulations requiring routine chlorine monitoring and documentation.

The Milwaukee MW10 makes daily pool and spa water testing quick, easy, and reliable. Unlike traditional test strips or visual color comparators, which can be subjective and prone to misinterpretation, the MW10 provides accurate digital readings, helping users adjust chlorine levels confidently and efficiently.

Whether you're a professional pool technician, hotel maintenance staff, or homeowner maintaining a backyard pool, the MW10 is your trusted tool for ensuring a clean, safe, and enjoyable swimming experience.

How to Use the MW10 for Pool & Spa Water Testing

1. Collect a Sample
• Use a clean container to take water from 30–45 cm (12–18 inches) below the surface to avoid surface contaminants.
• Rinse the cuvette 2–3 times with the pool/spa water before filling it for testing.
2. Fill the Cuvette
• Fill the cuvette with pool or spa water up to the 10 mL mark.
• Wipe the outside of the cuvette clean and dry to ensure accurate optical readings.
3. Zero the Instrument
• Insert the cuvette into the MW10 without reagent.
• Press the button to zero the instrument. This neutralizes any natural color in the water for a more accurate result.
4. Add the Reagent
• Remove the cuvette and add one packet of Milwaukee MI524-25 reagent to the sample.
• Cap the cuvette and gently invert it until the powder dissolves completely.
5. Read the Result
• Reinsert the cuvette into the MW10 and press the button again.
• The free chlorine concentration will appear on the screen in ppm (mg/L) within a few seconds.
6. Interpret the Results
• For most pools, free chlorine should be maintained between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm.
• For spas and hot tubs, a slightly higher level of 2.0 to 4.0 ppm is often recommended due to higher temperatures and bather loads.
• Adjust chlorine dosing accordingly and retest after chemical application or shock treatments.
7. After Testing
• Rinse the cuvette with clean water and store the MW10 in a dry location away from direct sunlight.
• Record your readings if required by local regulations or pool maintenance logs.

Aquariums & Aquaculture

In both home aquariums and commercial aquaculture systems, chlorine is a silent killer. Even trace amounts of free chlorine – commonly found in municipal tap water – can damage gill tissues, disrupt biological filtration, and kill sensitive aquatic organisms. This makes chlorine testing not just important, but essential to the survival and well-being of aquatic life.

Why It Matters:

• Aquariums often rely on tap water for water changes. If that water contains chlorine or chloramines and is not properly treated, it can be fatal to fish, shrimp, corals, and beneficial bacteria.
• Aquaculture facilities – from hatcheries to fish farms – require consistent water quality monitoring to avoid mass losses and ensure healthy growth, feeding, and reproduction.
• Chlorine can interfere with nitrifying bacteria in biofilters, leading to ammonia and nitrite spikes – both of which are toxic to aquatic species.

The Milwaukee MW10 provides a fast, digital, and highly accurate method for detecting even low levels of free chlorine before introducing water into your system. It's an indispensable tool for:

• Aquarium hobbyists maintaining freshwater or marine tanks
• Breeders and coral growers
• Fish farms, aquaponic setups, and seafood hatcheries
• Researchers working with aquatic model organisms or environmental monitoring

How to Use the MW10 for Aquarium & Aquaculture Testing

1. Prepare the Sample
• Collect the water you plan to test – this could be untreated tap water, freshly mixed saltwater, or a section of your system’s water column.
• If testing tap water before treatment, do not use water that has been through dechlorination or filtration unless you're checking for treatment effectiveness.
2. Rinse and Fill the Cuvette
• Rinse the cuvette 2–3 times with the water sample.
• Fill to the 10 mL line, then wipe the cuvette clean with a soft, lint-free cloth.
3. Zero the Meter
• Insert the cuvette into the MW10 without reagent and press the button to zero the device. This accounts for any background color or turbidity.
4. Add Reagent
• Remove the cuvette and add one packet of MI524-25 free chlorine reagent.
• Cap and invert the cuvette several times until the powder is fully dissolved.
5. Insert & Read
• Reinsert the cuvette and press the button again.
• The MW10 will display the chlorine concentration in ppm within a few seconds.
6. Interpretation
• For aquariums and aquaculture systems, free chlorine levels should be 0.00 ppm. Even concentrations as low as 0.02 ppm can be harmful to many species.
• If any free chlorine is detected, apply a water conditioner (dechlorinator) or use activated carbon filtration before use.
• Retest after treatment to ensure safety before water is added to tanks or systems.
7. Post-Test
• Rinse the cuvette with RO/DI or distilled water.
• Store your MW10 in a dry, clean place. Keep reagents tightly sealed and stored in a cool area.

Food & Beverage Processing

In the food and beverage industry, water quality directly impacts both product safety and taste. Chlorine is widely used in this sector for sanitizing equipment, pipelines, washdown stations, and surfaces. It’s also employed in the rinse water for fruits, vegetables, and packaging materials. However, while chlorine is effective for disinfection, residual chlorine left behind can negatively affect product integrity, taste, and consumer safety.

Why It Matters:

• Excessive chlorine residues can alter the flavor of food and beverages, interfere with fermentation processes (in breweries, wineries, and dairy plants), and damage equipment over time.
• Inadequate chlorine levels during sanitation cycles can leave harmful pathogens on surfaces, risking contamination and regulatory non-compliance.
• Many industries, particularly those certified to ISO standards or under HACCP systems, must regularly monitor chlorine levels to meet strict quality assurance protocols.

The Milwaukee MW10 provides fast, precise, and easy-to-use chlorine testing for food production environments, helping operators maintain optimal sanitation without risking chlorine carryover into food products. Whether verifying sanitation rinse water or checking incoming water supplies, the MW10 gives peace of mind through accurate, digital measurements – no guesswork, no interpretation errors.

 How to Use the MW10 for Food & Beverage Applications

Typical Use Cases:

·        Verifying rinse water post-cleaning to confirm chlorine is within safe limits before processing resumes.

·        Checking incoming municipal water supplies for chlorine content prior to use in recipes or production.

·        Monitoring sanitation cycles for consistent disinfectant dosing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sample Collection

Collect water samples from the point of interest: final rinse water, sanitation reservoirs, or incoming water lines.

If sampling rinse water from equipment, allow the water to flow for a short period before collecting to obtain a representative sample.

2. Prepare the Cuvette

Rinse the cuvette 2–3 times with the water sample.

Fill the cuvette to the 10 mL mark.

Wipe the exterior with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth.

3. Zero the MW10

Insert the cuvette (with no reagent added) into the MW10 and press the button to zero the instrument.

This eliminates background interference from any natural color or turbidity.

4. Add the Reagent

Remove the cuvette and add one packet of Milwaukee MI524-25 chlorine reagent.

Cap the cuvette and gently invert several times until the reagent fully dissolves.

5. Measurement

Reinsert the cuvette and press the button again.

The MW10 will display the free chlorine concentration in ppm (mg/L) within seconds.

6. Interpretation

Typical guidelines recommend rinse water to have residual chlorine levels under 0.5 ppm before direct food contact resumes.

Adjust sanitation processes if readings are above your internal thresholds or regulatory limits.

Document results as part of your quality control procedures.

7. Post-Test Maintenance

Rinse the cuvette thoroughly with distilled or deionized water.

Store the MW10 and reagents properly, in a clean, dry area away from food handling zones.

Laboratories & Research

In laboratory environments, whether for environmental sciences, chemistry, biology, or water engineering, precise and repeatable measurements of free chlorine are crucial. Chlorine monitoring plays a role in numerous research fields, from studying water treatment efficacy and disinfection by-products (DBPs) to evaluating the effects of chlorine on ecosystems, materials, and industrial processes.

Laboratories often require testing water samples for:

• Compliance with international testing standards (ISO, EPA, ASTM)
• Validating the performance of filtration or dechlorination processes
• Supporting studies in environmental toxicology, hydrology, or microbiology
• Quality control in water purification technologies (e.g., reverse osmosis systems)

Accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility are paramount. The Milwaukee MW10 offers an accessible, reliable, and EPA-Method 330.5-compliant tool to achieve precise free chlorine measurements without the complexity and cost of benchtop photometers.

It’s an ideal choice for:

• Academic research labs
• Environmental monitoring stations
• Industrial R&D labs
• Water technology companies testing prototypes or materials

How to Use the MW10 in Laboratory & Research Settings

Best Practice Considerations:

• Work with fresh, representative samples.
• Avoid cross-contamination between samples.
• Record data in accordance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sample Preparation

Collect the water sample in clean, chlorine-free glassware.

For research accuracy, samples should be freshly taken and handled per standard protocols (e.g., avoid exposure to air or light if measuring chlorine decay over time).

2. Prepare the Cuvette

Rinse the cuvette 2–3 times with the sample water to avoid contamination.

Fill the cuvette up to the 10 mL line.

Wipe the exterior thoroughly to ensure no water droplets or fingerprints interfere with optical accuracy.

3. Zero the MW10

Insert the clean, sample-filled cuvette (without reagent) into the MW10.

Press the button to zero the instrument, neutralizing background color or turbidity.

4. Add Reagent

Remove the cuvette and add one packet of Milwaukee MI524-25 free chlorine reagent.

Cap and gently invert until the reagent is fully dissolved.

5. Conduct Measurement

Reinsert the cuvette and press the button again.

The MW10 will display the free chlorine concentration (ppm/mg/L) within seconds.

6. Interpret Results

Record the data immediately for your lab notebook, LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System), or reporting requirements.

Compare readings against study parameters or regulatory thresholds, as applicable.

7. Post-Test Procedures

Rinse the cuvette thoroughly with distilled or deionized water.

Store the MW10 and reagents properly in a clean, dry laboratory environment.

Additional Laboratory Tips:

• Verify the MW10’s performance periodically using known chlorine standards.
• Always use fresh reagents stored under proper conditions to ensure consistency.
• Document each measurement step if required for regulatory traceability (e.g., ISO 17025 compliance).

Education

Teaching students about water quality and environmental science requires more than theory – it benefits from practical, hands-on experimentation. Chlorine monitoring is a fundamental component of water chemistry education, introducing key concepts such as disinfection, chemical reactions, and public health safety.

The Milwaukee MW10 is an excellent educational tool for schools, colleges, and universities offering programs in:

• Environmental Science
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Public Health
• Water Technology and Engineering

By providing students with easy-to-use, real-world instruments, educators can help bridge the gap between classroom theory and field practice. The MW10’s digital readout removes the ambiguity of subjective visual tests, allowing students to focus on understanding chlorine’s role in water treatment, environmental safety, and ecosystem protection.

Using the MW10 helps students:

• Understand the principles of chlorination and disinfection.
• Learn about the importance of clean water and public health safeguards.
• Gain experience with analytical testing methods, preparing them for careers in science, engineering, and environmental management.

 How to Use the MW10 in Educational Settings

Educational Scenarios:

• Classroom demonstrations of water testing techniques
• Laboratory experiments on chlorine decay over time
• Fieldwork excursions to monitor local water bodies
• Science fair or research projects on water quality

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Collect Sample

Use a clean container to collect water from the source being studied (tap water, rainwater, rivers, school water fountains, etc.).

Rinse the cuvette 2–3 times with the sample water before testing.

2. Prepare the Cuvette

Fill the cuvette with the water sample to the 10 mL mark.

Wipe the exterior to ensure no droplets or fingerprints interfere with the optical sensor.

3. Zero the Instrument

Insert the cuvette (without reagent) into the MW10.

Press the button to zero the instrument to account for any natural water coloration or turbidity.

4. Add Reagent

Remove the cuvette and add one packet of MI524-25 free chlorine reagent.

Cap the cuvette and invert it gently until the powder dissolves.

5. Measure Chlorine Levels

Reinsert the cuvette and press the button again.

The MW10 will display the free chlorine level in ppm (mg/L) within seconds.

6. Interpretation and Learning

Discuss typical chlorine ranges for various applications:

Drinking water: 0.2 – 0.5 ppm

Swimming pools: 1.0 – 3.0 ppm

Aquatic environments: 0.00 ppm desired

Encourage students to analyze results and relate them to real-world water safety concerns.

Compare results over time or across locations to explore trends or anomalies.

7. Cleanup and Maintenance

Rinse the cuvette with distilled or deionized water.

Store the MW10 safely for future educational use.

Additional Educational Benefits:

• Encourages scientific thinking and analytical skills.
• Reinforces the connection between chemistry and environmental health.
• Provides practical experience with instruments used in professional laboratories.
• Ideal for inclusion in lesson plans aligned with STEM curriculum standards.

Agriculture & Irrigation

Water quality plays a direct and critical role in agricultural productivity and soil health. In many regions, irrigation water is sourced from municipal supplies, which are often chlorinated for public safety. While chlorine serves as an effective disinfectant for drinking water, residual chlorine in irrigation water can negatively impact crops, soil microbiomes, and long-term soil structure.

Even small amounts of free chlorine can:

• Damage sensitive crops by affecting root systems or plant health.
• Disrupt beneficial soil microorganisms that support nutrient cycling and soil fertility.
• Alter the chemistry of soil over time, potentially impacting crop yields and soil structure.

Monitoring irrigation water helps ensure that chlorine levels are within safe thresholds for agricultural use. The Milwaukee MW10 allows farmers, agronomists, and greenhouse managers to quickly and easily verify chlorine concentrations in water sources – whether they are drawing from municipal supplies, reclaimed water, or storage tanks.

This ensures:

• Water applied to crops is free from harmful chlorine concentrations.
• Soil health is protected over the long term.
• Irrigation systems (especially those using micro-irrigation or fertigation) operate without the risk of chemical buildup.

How to Use the MW10 for Agriculture & Irrigation

Common Agricultural Use Cases:

• Checking chlorine levels in municipal water before irrigation.
• Monitoring water used in hydroponics, greenhouses, and nurseries.
• Ensuring reclaimed or stored water meets safety parameters.
• Validating chlorine neutralization systems.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Collect a Representative Sample

Draw water from the irrigation source (e.g., supply tanks, pipelines, wells, or municipal lines).

Rinse the cuvette 2–3 times with the sample water to avoid contamination.

2. Prepare the Cuvette

Fill the cuvette to the 10 mL mark with the irrigation water sample.

Wipe the outside with a clean, dry cloth to remove any moisture or fingerprints.

3. Zero the MW10

Insert the cuvette into the MW10 with no reagent added.

Press the button to zero the instrument and eliminate any interference from water clarity or turbidity.

4. Add the Reagent

Remove the cuvette and add one packet of MI524-25 chlorine reagent.

Cap and invert the cuvette gently until the reagent fully dissolves.

5. Measure

Reinsert the cuvette and press the button again.

The MW10 will display the free chlorine concentration (ppm/mg/L) within seconds.

6. Interpretation

Target chlorine level for irrigation water: Ideally 0.00 ppm or as low as possible. Chlorine-sensitive crops (lettuce, strawberries, young seedlings) are particularly vulnerable.

If chlorine is present, consider dechlorination solutions such as activated carbon filters or allowing water to stand uncovered before use.

Retest after treatment to verify safety.

7. Post-Test Maintenance

Rinse the cuvette with distilled or deionized water to avoid contamination.

Store the MW10 in a clean, dry environment away from direct sunlight and agricultural chemicals.

Additional Agricultural Insights:

• Regular monitoring protects both crop health and soil quality.
• Chlorine management supports biological soil health strategies, such as compost teas and beneficial bacteria inoculation.
• The MW10 is an effective tool for sustainable farming practices that prioritize soil and plant health.

 The Milwaukee MW10's compact design, ease of use, and accurate digital readings make it a valuable tool across these diverse applications. Its adherence to the USEPA Method 330.5 ensures reliable and standardized measurements of free chlorine in various water samples.