Water Testing - Top Tips on How to Easily Discover What's Actually in Your Water Supply

The fact is that your water supply may contain many potentially harmful contaminants and they can be easily tested for - so why not literally test the water? It may help you and your family to discover what is really in there...!

I know many people who have wondered what is actually in their home water supply. We tend to assume the water is clean or pure unless there is an obvious odor or discoloration present.

However as many people know, nearly all water contains contaminants (dissolved minerals or organic compounds). Whether a contaminant is a problem depends on how much is contained within the water and whether it poses a health risk to you and your family.

1. Some contaminants, such as iron and manganese, are an annoyance but not a health threat. Excessive amounts of iron in water can cause orange stains to form on bath tubs and sinks and also laundry or dishes that are frequently exposed to the water.
2. Manganese can result in an ugly brownish-black stain and can cause water to turn cloudy - again it's not a health hazard though.
3. Other nuisance compounds such as hydrogen sulphide and sulphate-reducing bacteria can give a distinctive rotten egg odor. Hydrogen sulphide is especially noticeable when running water from the tap, however after exposure to the air it evaporates quickly. However, the problem with high hydrogen sulphide levels is that it can cause corrosion to pipes due its acidic nature.
4. Hard water, with high levels of calcium and magnesium compounds, can be a particular pain. Soap not lathering well is one indication of hard water. Other clues include greasy, grimy rings in tubs and sinks or dingy laundry with a harsh feel. The excessive calcium and magnesium cause scale that can build up in water heaters and clog pipes causing major problems that require several hundred dollars of repair work.
5. High levels of chlorine can also be a problem and can give water a distinctive "chemical" taste. While chlorine is an effective disinfectant and kills most bacteria, high residual amounts have been associated with cancer causing compounds and other potential health hazards.

However, the frightening concern arises from the possibility that harmful contaminants can be present without any clear sign that there's a problem. Low pH causes corrosion of copper pipes, resulting in high copper levels. Excessive sodium in water can result in significant problems for residents battling hypertension. Many people worry about what is contained in their water because:

• They are concerned about the sodium content it may contain and how it may affect their blood pressure.
• Their water supply has a strange smell.
• They have ugly hard water stains and limescale build up due to hard water minerals.
• It has a faint taste of bleach.
• They just want the best quality water possible for themselves and their family.
• They have discoloured water or cloudy water.

The Easy Solution:

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to ensure that water supplies are safe - performing periodic laboratory analysis is a simple way to ensure your water quality meets the highest standards. For public water systems, testing is done on a regular basis.

Federal law requires water utilities to regularly monitor and test the water to ensure a safe supply to customers. The testing results are public information and freely available. If you'd like to find out the state of the water in the area you live in, you can find out just how hard or soft the water is by contacting the water company in your particular area, they should be able to let you know. This doesn't ensure that problems are eliminated within your household system, but it does ensure monitoring by the supplier.

Private Wells:

Residents with private wells should definitely test their water to monitor its quality. Private well owners are solely responsible for the safety of their wells and any recommended testing. A laboratory analysis of your water supply will provide you with the information needed to take immediate and long-term corrective measures, if necessary, to provide a suitable and safe water supply.

If you have a private water supply, you can easily have the water tested for hardness and check whether your water contains the minerals that cause hard water stains and limescale. Most water testing laboratories offer hardness tests for a fee, including the Environmental Quality Center. Also many companies that sell water treatment equipment offer hardness tests. When using these water tests, be certain you understand the nature of the test, the water condition being measured, and the significance of the test results. An approximate estimate of water hardness can be obtained without the aid of outside testing facilities.

If you prefer to do it yourself there are a number of water hardness testing kits that are available for purchase through water testing supply companies.

However, if more accurate measurements are required, it is advisable to contact an authorized testing laboratory.

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