Did you know that your home’s water may contain various contaminants? To ensure that your home’s water is safe to drink, it is important to get it tested regularly. Fortunately, there are several ways of getting your home’s water analyzed in the United States.
What Contaminants Are Found in Water?
Before attempting to get your water tested, it is important to understand what contaminants may be present in the water. Common sources of contamination include industrial and agricultural runoff, wastewater discharges, underground storage tanks, septic systems, fertilizers and pesticides from landscaping activities, and lead-based paint chips. Contaminants can also enter the water supply through decaying organic matter, such as decaying plants and animals.
The following are some of the most common contaminants found in water:
• Total Coliform Bacteria – These bacteria occur naturally in soil and surface water – while they are not typically harmful, they can indicate that other contaminants may be present.
• Nitrates & Nitrites – Nitrates/nitrites come from agricultural runoff and are usually found in high concentrations in groundwater supplies.
• Lead – This metal can leach into drinking water from lead-based paint chips, old plumbing fixtures, and soldering materials.
• Arsenic – This naturally occurring element is typically found in higher concentrations near industrial sites and old wells.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – These compounds emitted by industrial and automotive activities can be hazardous to your health.
• Mercury & PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) – These compounds are typically found in fish-bearing waters due to runoff from manufacturing and burning of coal.
Did you know that your water could contain all of these contaminants? With this in mind, it’s important to get your water tested regularly to ensure that it is safe to drink.
How To Get Your Home’s Water Analyzed
1. Contact Your Local Public Health Agency – The best way to get your home’s water tested is by contacting your local public health agency or environmental health department. They can provide you with a list of certified laboratories for testing and can also help you interpret the results of your test.
2. Use a Home Test Kit – If you’re looking for a more convenient way to get your water tested, consider using a home test kit. You can purchase these kits from most hardware stores and they can provide you with quick and easy results.
3. Have a Professional Test Your Water – If you are concerned about the quality of your water, you may want to consider hiring a professional to test it for you. Professionals can provide more accurate results and can also advise you on the best course of action to take if the results are unsatisfactory.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Even if your home’s water tests come back satisfactory, you may still want to consider installing a reverse osmosis system, such as a Kinetico whole-house reverse osmosis system. This type of system can remove up to 99% of contaminants from your water. The system works by forcing the water through a semipermeable membrane and trapping the impurities on one side, leaving you with clean and safe drinking water. By taking the time to get your home’s water tested regularly and installing a reverse osmosis system, you can ensure that you and your family have access to clean and safe drinking water
