If you suspect that something is wrong, you can still send a sample into a testing lab for a second opinion. If you have a private water source, such as a well, you are responsible for checking the water. Test the purity at least once a year using labs or testing kits.
For example, if you’re in the U. S. , take advantage of the EPA’s website to find certified labs. Visit https://www. epa. gov/waterlabnetwork. You could also call a hotline for assistance, such as the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
Listen to the test instructions very carefully. Some tests have special requirements, and if you don’t follow them, you won’t get an accurate result. With a bacteria test, for example, you have to refrigerate the sample and take it to the lab within 2 to 3 days. If you’re looking for a convenient way to get a test done, ask the lab if they can send a technician to your home. The technician takes the sample for you, so you don’t even have to worry about following any instructions. Be aware of the cost, though, since it is always more than a regular test.
If you can’t get a container from the lab, sterilize your own. Glass is easy to sterilize by keeping it in a pot of boiling water for at least 10 minutes. To sterilize plastic, wash it out with a mixture of 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) bleach. Rinse it off, then microwave the wet plastic for about 2 minutes. Be careful, since the plastic can melt if dries.
After you get the results, ask the lab technicians for advice on how to treat your water. Based on results, buy a home water filtering system or talk to someone at your water utility for more recommendations.
For pools of water, scoop up a sample with the glass. You don’t need to sterilize the glass first.
Before getting on the phone with your water department, set the glass down and wait for a minute. Sometimes milky water clears up right away. That means the color came from air bubbles, so your water is safe to drink. Hard water is water that has calcium, magnesium, and other minerals in it. The minerals cause the water to look a little cloudy. It is usually safe to drink but can be fixed with a water softener to avoid damage to your plumbing. Treat water with colored particles. For example, brown or orange particles are from rusty pipes while black ones come from rubber. Call a plumber to fix the problem.
For instance, brown water is a very common problem. The contamination comes from dirt and other sediments, which you might see settle at the bottom of the glass. Red and orange colors come from rusty pipes. Black could mean you have lead in the water, a very toxic metal that also often comes from pipes. Green usually means algae grew in your water supply, so don’t drink it. If it has a blue-green coloring, it could be copper instead. A black stain could also mean mold.
If your water smells like nail polish or varnish, that could mean that some chemical leaked into the water supply. It might be from a home improvement project, for instance. Purify water by filtering and boiling it to remove contaminants. If you’re using municipal water, call your city or utility company. Contact your local government for more information.
Clean water has a flat, bland taste. If your sample tastes metallic or like a fizzy soda, don’t risk drinking it. Keep in mind that you can’t always taste water quality issues. Things like bacteria and pesticides may not be easy to detect. Normally you can tell by looking at the water, but double-check with a lab test if necessary.
A comprehensive testing kit covers water pH, hardness, and mineral levels. It’s a great way to detect nitrates from fertilizers and other run-off, but it may also cover lead, copper, calcium, and other things too. Test kits are available online and at most hardware stores. They are great when you need a quick estimate of your water’s quality, but they are nowhere near as accurate as an official lab test.
You don’t need to sterilize the glass. As long as you clean it ahead of time, it won’t significantly affect the test.
Most kits use multiple strips for different tests. For example, you might have a strip that tests pH, another that tests for nitrate, and a few more for bacteria and lead. You can use the same sample for each test. Lead and bacteria tests typically require you to soak the strip for as long as 10 minutes. Be sure to check the instructions for more information about each test!
The strip darkens as it detects more of something in your water. When testing for nitrate, for example, the strip turns from white to purple. Compare the results to what safe drinking water is supposed to be like. For instance, regular water has a pH from 6. 5 to 8. 5 with a a nitrate level below 10 ppm. The lead level needs to be below 15 parts per billion (ppb). If your water quality seems low, check with your government’s local health or utility department. Consider getting a more thorough test done with a certified lab.
Check for TDS meters online or at your local hardware store. ”Hard water” means that your water has a lot of minerals in it. It’s a problem if you notice white spots from mineral stains or soap scum. Hard water can also irritate your skin or cause water heaters and clothing to break down more quickly than usual. TDS tests are not perfect. They don’t cover many other water problems, including pollution from pesticides or lead. Call a certified lab for a more complete test.
You need at least 1⁄2 in (1. 3 cm) of water for the test, enough to submerge the tip of the meter. Sterilizing the glass isn’t necessary since you’re not testing for things like bacteria. It won’t affect the test.
Don’t submerge the entire meter or else you might damage it.
If your water has a high TDS rating, treat there are several ways to treat it. The easiest way is to get a reverse osmosis water filter that draws out the solids. Another way is to distill by boiling it and collecting the water vapor. Keep in mind that a low TDS rating doesn’t necessarily mean your water is safe. It means that it has a low amount of solid minerals, which aren’t necessarily harmful to begin with.
