Photometer.
Portable and laboratory multiparameter photometers for colorimetric water quality analysis — chlorine, fluoride, iron, ammonia, and 60+ parameters in the field or the lab.
A photometer is the gold-standard instrument for rapid, accurate measurement of water quality parameters in both field and laboratory settings. Using colorimetric chemistry and LED-based light absorption, these instruments can detect dissolved substances at concentrations invisible to the naked eye — returning a quantitative result in milligrams per litre within minutes.
Nepal's water quality monitoring landscape relies on photometers across a wide range of settings: municipal distribution networks checking residual chlorine after treatment, health post labs testing drinking water for fluoride in high-fluoride districts, project-level water supply teams verifying source water before commissioning, and environmental compliance teams monitoring industrial discharge parameters.
JHS Analytic Traders supplies photometers from multiple manufacturers. The Palintest Potatest is one of the most widely deployed portable photometers in Nepal — trusted for its tablet-reagent simplicity, field durability, and extensive parameter library covering 60+ analytes from a single instrument.
A full range of photometers — not tied to one brand.
We supply photometers and colorimeters from multiple international manufacturers, then match the right instrument to your parameters, sample types and budget — for water, environmental and laboratory testing.
Colorimetric Measurement — Step by Step
Every photometer works the same way — a reagent reacts with the target analyte, and the instrument reads the resulting colour to return a precise concentration.
60+ Measurable Parameters
From disinfection residuals to heavy metals, nutrients and physical measures — the analytes that decide whether water is safe, each read in minutes.
Where Photometers Are Used
Wherever water quality has to be verified at the point of use — from treatment works and distribution networks to remote field sites without lab access.
Drinking Water Monitoring
On-site testing of potable water at treatment plants, distribution points, and household taps — verifying chlorine residual, fluoride, and other health-critical parameters.
Municipal Water Supply
Routine compliance testing for municipality and NWSC networks across Nepal's urban and peri-urban areas — fast results without sending samples to a central lab.
Swimming Pool & Spa
Monitoring free and combined chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and cyanuric acid in recreational water facilities to maintain safety and regulatory compliance.
Industrial & Wastewater
Discharge parameter monitoring at industrial effluent points, ETP outlets, and municipal wastewater treatment plants for environmental compliance.
What is a colorimetric photometer and how does it work?
A colorimetric photometer measures the concentration of dissolved substances in water by detecting the colour change when a reagent reacts with the target analyte. The instrument shines an LED at a specific wavelength through the coloured sample and measures how much light is absorbed — a principle called Beer-Lambert Law. The higher the absorbance, the higher the concentration, displayed directly in mg/L.
How many parameters can a Palintest Potatest photometer measure?
The Palintest Potatest range can measure 60+ water quality parameters using Palintest reagent tablets. Key parameters include free and total chlorine, fluoride, iron, manganese, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, copper, zinc, and turbidity — covering drinking water, pool, wastewater, and environmental monitoring from a single instrument.
What reagents are used with photometers?
Most portable photometers use tablet or powder reagents pre-calibrated to the instrument. Palintest instruments use Palintest reagent tablets — one or two tablets dissolved in 10 mL of sample. Each tablet contains a precise amount of chromogenic reagent specific to the target parameter. Reagents are available for 60+ parameters and are supplied as consumables.
Is a photometer suitable for field use in Nepal's remote areas?
Yes. Portable photometers like the Palintest Potatest are specifically designed for field use — they run on standard AA batteries, are IP67 waterproof, and are ruggedised for transport to remote sites. They are ideal for Nepal's rural water supply schemes, DWSS field teams, and municipality water quality monitoring programmes where mains power and laboratory access are unavailable.
Does JHS supply only Palintest photometers?
No. JHS Analytic Traders sources water quality instruments from multiple manufacturers. We present Palintest as an example because of its strong installed base in Nepal, but we can advise on the most suitable instrument for your specific application, parameter requirements, and budget.
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