Drinking Water Testing
People don’t always give drinking water a second thought because it is assumed that the water in their homes have been treated by their water supplier. An ordinary citizen will probably not think about having his drinking water tested, so if his water is sourced publicly, he will automatically assume that the utility company has done the appropriate testing.
If you have doubts about your drinking water supply, you can have it tested. You can search for an approved water testing facility in your locality. This way you can be assured that your drinking water is safe for everyone in your home.
Check Your Water Source
You should know the source of your water. There are two sources of drinking water: surface and ground water. Surface water includes water from rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. This is the most common source of drinking water. Ground water, on the other hand, is water that has been pumped from wells, usually in the rural areas. You can ask your water supplier pertinent questions regarding the source of their water, the methods of treatment they use, and their water quality test procedures.
When to Get Your Water Tested
Drinking water is considered safe, until proven otherwise. If you notice changes in your drinking water at home, it’s best to perform drinking water testing. For instance, you may notice discoloration in your water or your water may taste funny. Such things may indicate the presence of chlorine or sulfur. If you observe scaling in your fixtures or the presence of hard water stains in your glasses, then it may be a good indicator that you need to have your water tested. Lastly, do make sure your drinking water is tested when calamities strike since contaminants may intrude into your water source during storms, earthquakes, and typhoons.
Water testing is not that expensive, considering it’s the family’s health on the line. Besides, it is a lot cheaper to pay for water testing than paying for medical bills should a member of your family get sick due to contaminated drinking water.
Types of Water Testing
There are many types of drinking water testing. The tests you obtain will depend on your location and water condition. It would be unwise to pay for all tests when it is really unnecessary.
- Cleanliness Test—It is done to check acidity, color, and clarity. This simple test can be done at home. If you suspect more contaminants in your drinking water, you can have a testing facility conduct further tests.
- Radon Water Test Kit—Radon is a carcinogen, which means it is harmful. You can do a radon water test in your home by purchasing a radon test home kit. You may also procure a sample, send it to a laboratory and have it tested.
- Chlorine Test—It is done to determine the level of chlorine in your drinking water. Chlorine is used together with other chemicals to purify water but it is extremely dangerous at very high levels.
