What Tests Need to Be Carried Out to Make Sure My Water Is Safe?

A sparkling glass of water is essential to your family's health.

Whether a homeowner takes his water from a private well or the public water system, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about water safety. The popular modern solution to the threat of water-borne microorganisms is to only drink store-bought bottled water. This, however, can quickly become expensive in comparison to simply drinking from the tap. A better option is investing in water tests that can clearly indicate the level of water sanitation.

Indications That Water Should Be Tested

Water purity should be checked routinely -- about once per year -- but several indicators may point to the necessity of employing water tests for an immediate risk. Whenever someone moves into a new home it should be tested, and again each year. However, changes in the appearance of water (such as cloudiness), residue that was not previously noticed, odd smells that seem to be emanating from it and family sickness that otherwise cannot be explained may point to the necessity of buying and using a water purity test. Other things that may be reason for worry include lead pipes, pipe corrosion or water staining on pipes.

Home Water Purity Kits

For a reasonable price, home water purity test kits can be bought at hardware stores. They are usually in the form of test strips that are dipped in water. A color key is included in the package, and after the test strip has been dipped in water, it will turn a specific color that can be compared to the key for determination of contaminates in the water. These kits typically test for hardness, iron, copper, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, chlorine, pH, alkalinity and hardness. They are not, however, the most accurate test for water purity.

Laboratory Testing

Lab tests are the surest means of determining what kinds of contaminates are in a water supply. Chemical tests labs can run include pH, alkalinity, phosphates, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, hardness and tests more specific to particular pesticides and chemicals a water source may be located near. Health departments can provide advice on nearby labs that do water testing, and any suitable lab suggested can be contacted for instructions on how to transport a water sample in such a way that it will not run the risk of becoming contaminated.

Water Supplier Testing

The Consumer Confidence Report is annually submitted to homeowners as a summary of findings in federal testing of local water supplies. Included with the report are instructions for interpreting results. It should be noted that a minimum amount of certain contaminates (also detailed in the report) are safe for consumption and almost unavoidable in a water supply. If results go beyond this range, the Environmental Protection Agency can be contacted via a number included on the Consumer Confidence Report for information on steps that should be taken in light of those results.

References

• North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service: Water Quality and Waste Management
• The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service: Housing and Environment: Testing for Water Quality
• United States Environmental Protection Agency: Consumer Confidence Reports Basic Information
• The Center for Educational Technologies: Exploring the Environment: Water Quality