Many people get their water by simply turning on the faucet. Public water systems draw their water from rivers, reservoirs, springs, or ground water wells. If your water is provided for by the city, your water is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by federal and state standards. Water is tested for pathogens, radioactive elements, and certain toxic chemicals. However, some public water supplies may have water quality problems caused by inadequate municipal water treatment facilities or distribution systems.
Also, some rural water supply districts do not have the means to hire trained specialists or to immediately comply with expanding government requirements. Furthermore, corrosive water or deteriorating pipes in the house may add contaminants to municipal drinking water after it enters your home.
Whether you have a public or private water supply, you should have your water tested if the following situations arise:
• If there are incidents of gastrointestinal illness: Test for chloroform bacteria, nitrate, and sulfate.
• If household plumbing contains lead pipes, fittings, or solder joints: Test for pH, lead, copper, cadmium, and zinc.
• If you are buying a home and wish to assess the safety and quality of the existing water supply: Test for chloroform bacteria, nitrate, lead, iron, hardness, pH, sulfate, total dissolved solids (TDS), corrosion index, and other parameters depending on proximity to potential sources of contamination.
• If a water softener is needed to treat hard water: Test for iron and manganese before purchase and installation, which decrease the efficiency of action exchange softeners.
• If there are water stains on plumbing fixtures and laundry: Test for iron, manganate, and copper.
• If water has an objectionable taste or smell: Test for hydrogen sulfide, pH, corrosion index, copper, lead, iron, zinc, sodium, chlorine, and TDS.
• If water appears cloudy, frothy, or colored: Test for color, turbidity, and detergents.
• If pipes or plumbing show signs of corrosion: Test for corrosion index, PS, lead, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc.
• If water leaves a scaly residue, soap scum, and decreases the cleaning power of soaps and detergents: Test for hardness.
• If water supply equipment (pump, chlorinators, etc.) wear down rapidly: Test for pH and corrosion index.
• At least once each year, test for chloroform bacteria, nitrate, pH, and TDS. It is best to test for these contaminants during the spring or summer following a rainy period. These tests should also be conducted after repairing or replacing an old well or pipes, and after installing a new well or pump.
• Every 3 years, test for: Sulfate, chlorine, iron, manganese, lead, hardness, and corrosion index.
• If a new baby is expected in the household: Test for nitrate in the early months of a pregnancy, before bringing the infant home, and again during the first 6 months of the baby's life.
Remember… there’s no price for safety!
