Water for dialysis

It is now mandatory that water used in haemodialysis is initially purified by reverse osmosis. The Renal Association has published guidelines recommending limits of various trace elements and pathogens in reverse osmosis water.⁶⁶ It is suggested that full chemical analysis of purified water should be carried out every 3 months.

Sample Requirements and Reference Values for Water

Samples

Reverse osmosis water, tap water*

Container

Universal container. Sarstedt containers (product number: 63.9922.252) are suitable.

Precautions

Zinc and aluminium are found in the lid insert of some Universal containers (eg. Sterilin) and can contaminate the sample.

Minimum volume*

1.0 mL

Limits

Element	Renal Association guideline limits for RO water	UK prescribed concentration values for drinking water
Aluminium	10 µg/L	200 µg/L
Calcium	2 mg/L	250 mg/L
Copper	100 µg/L	2000 µg/L
Lead	5 µg/L	10 µg/L
Magnesium	4 mg/L	50 mg/L
Potassium	8 mg/L	12 mg/L
Silver	5 µg/L	10 µg/L
Sodium	70 mg/L	200 mg/L
Zinc	100 µg/L	5000 µg/L

Mean turnaround time

3.5 days

Method

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

EQA Scheme

Aluminium in water scheme, UK NEQAS, Guildford.

* For assessment of lead in water, two samples are recommended; a first draw sample in the morning and a further sample taken after running the water for 5 - 10 mins.

References

In This Section

Scottish Trace Element & Micronutrient Reference Laboratory

Scotland's specialised laboratory for trace elements and vitamins in health and disease

Water for dialysis

Sample Requirements and Reference Values for Water

References