How Do I Test My Home Water Quality

The epa environmental protection agency says you should consider several factors.

How do i test my home water quality.

A wqi test is a test that measures the presence and amount of certain germs in water. That s also a good idea if your home was built before lead free pipes were mandated in 1986. If you suspect other contaminants test for those too. To answer the question should i have my water tested.

You can test your water yourself or have a professional lab or service do it for you. The report contains information on contaminants found possible health effects and the water s source. Because concerns about environmental safety our air land water are paramount today many of us choose to test our tap water. This report will contain the average.

Normally you will receive it with your water bill once a year in july. What to test for. Water testing kits are an easy way to gain valuable insight into the quality of the water you rely upon for drinking cooking bathing laundry and more. Obtain a water quality report for your neighborhood.

As an individual water system owner it is up to you to make sure that your water is safe to drink. These kits generally use either test strips submerged into a water sample or drops that react with various contaminants if present. Water from a utility can spend 3 7 days traveling through old pipes before reaching your home where plumbing and fixtures can also influence water quality. If you do not receive a report contact your water company for this information.

Basic kits usually test for bacteria lead nitrates nitrites pesticides chlorine hardness and ph. Every water supplier is required to offer a consumer confidence report ccr to provide information about the quality of the water in your area check online on the epa website and search for you local water system provider or check the website of your city s water provider to see the report. If you re on well water you won t get a ccr so you should get your water tested. Test your water every year for total coliform bacteria nitrates total dissolved solids and ph levels.

Several water quality indicators wqis and contaminants that should be tested for in your water are listed below. Since some contaminant testing can be expensive spend some time identifying potential problems. Even if your. An annual water quality report also known as a consumer confi dence report.

Local water municipalities are required to test water quality regularly and to make the results public and available each year. Do i need to test the water quality of my home. Test city water we ve tested our water every year for 20 years and the tap score was the first test i can honestly say i fully understood. Always use a state certified laboratory that conducts drinking water tests.