Water Quality Testing
If you obtain your water from a municipal source, it is regularly tested at the source. However, when water flows through outdated infrastructure on its way to your house, it may acquire up impurities. As dangerous bacteria and minerals might be damaging to the health of your family, you should routinely test water for purity.
What should you look for and how should you test? Here are some essential water testing fundamentals.
When to do water tests
You should test your water as frequently as possible since the quality of your water might alter at any time. The following scenarios demand water testing:
Changes in hue, flavor, or smell
When you move into a new residence, you must purchase new furnishings.
Your household is expanding
After consuming your water, a member of your household develops an inexplicable stomach ailment.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency advises annual testing for bacteria and nitrates for well owners as part of the fundamentals of water testing. Other pollutants, such as iron and hardness, are often examined just once.
What to search for in a water analysis
When picking a water-testing kit, be sure to select the appropriate choice for your water source, such as city water or well water. Based on the water source, the majority of water-testing kits search for common pollutants. If your water comes from municipal sources, testing kits will search for chlorine, fluoride, and other byproducts of treatment. If your water originates from a well, you should get it tested for germs, metals, nitrates, and other typical toxins found in groundwater.
What is a water quality test able to detect?
While it is possible to conduct a test at home and send it to a lab, it is typically preferable to deal with water treatment specialists that do routine water quality monitoring. A typical water analysis may reveal any of the following problems:
- Total coliform (i.e., bacteria): This test is crucial because it searches for disease-causing organisms that might be detrimental to your health.
- While it is difficult to test for every bacterium that might be present in your water, total coliform tests seek for indicator bacteria to provide an overall assessment of the water’s cleanliness.
- Municipal water is disinfected with chlorine to eradicate pathogens, but your water supply may contain residual chlorine. Not only does this have an unpleasant flavor, but it may also be detrimental to your health.
- Nitrates/nitrites: At large concentrations, naturally occurring oxygen compounds in water can be hazardous. Make sure your nitrate level is under 10 parts per million (ppm); nitrate levels should be under 1 ppm.
- There are several tests that may detect the hardness of your water, however a white film on your pipes may already be an indication.
- Investing in a water softening system can solve the problem.
Water quality testing is the first step you should take if you want to guarantee that your family has access to safe, clean water. Contact Love Well & Water Works to book a water testing appointment. If testing reveals a problem, we will build a treatment plan to restore the purity of your water supply.