Ten commercially available bentonite products representing unaltered, polymer protected, and chemically treated sodium bentonites were used in laboratory testing. The purpose was to identify a quick, reliable, cost-effective and field practical indicator test procedure which permits: identification of bentonite type; prediction of the hydraulic conductivity performance of the bentonite under chemical or leachate attack, both in pure form and when admixed with other soils for use as slurry trench backfill. A total of eighteen test procedures were applied to the bentonites in slurry or powdered form for several bentonite concentrations, several acetone concentrations, and three general hydration cases. Results demonstrate that the gel strength and apparent viscosity tests may be used to distinguish between the specific unaltered, polymer protected or extended, and chemically treated bentonites tested.