Do you know how pure the water in your home is? Unfortunately, the water you use each day to drink, shower, and cook has the potential for contaminants, from bacteria and sulfur to lead and iron. The only way to be sure that your home’s water is pure is through testing. Read on to learn more about common water contaminants, knowing when to test the water in your home, and how you can easily test your water.
Common Water Contaminants
A range of contaminants can exist in your water supply, such as:
Bacteria: Multiple types of bacteria can contaminate your water supply. These can include harmful bacteria that cause diseases such as coliform and e. coli. Other types of bacteria may release sulfur or iron into your home’s water.
Iron: Another possible contaminant in your water supply is iron. Iron is bitter in taste and causes yellow or orange stains on the fixtures in your home as well as on laundry.
Lead: Lead in water is very dangerous as it is toxic to humans. If your home has older plumbing components made of brass, lead may be an issue.
Sulfur: Sulfur in your water supply can occur naturally, but it can also be released by bacteria. You can detect sulfur by its smell, which is similar to rotten eggs.
Manganese: Manganese is a contaminant that turns water black or purple. It also causes water to taste bitter and leaves stains on fixtures.
Knowing When to Test
You should test the water in your home…
If your water tastes or smells strange
If your water leaves soap scum and stains on fixtures and laundry.
If your home has lead pipes or brass fixtures.
If your family is experiencing a gastrointestinal disease.
If you have a well near a septic tank, underground storage tank, leaking gas tank, or livestock.
If someone in your family is pregnant or has a child younger than six months.
If your well could be contaminated by chemicals or pesticides.
If you are considering a water treatment system or want to test how well your current system is working.
If your well is not up to code.
How to Test Your Water
There are a number of ways to test the water in your home. First, try testing the water by examining it for cloudiness or particles and checking for a strange odor. Another option is to purchase a water purity test kit at a hardware store or online, and conduct the test yourself. You can also ask your water supplier for their most recent test results – water utilities are required by law to regularly test their water, and these results must be published and made available to consumers. Finally, you can take a sample of your water to a lab for professional testing services.
If you find that the water in your home is impure, Eco Plumbers can help. We offer water treatment systems to ensure that your water is safe. Call The Eco Plumbers today.
