subject: How is Tap Water Tested for Contamination - Is Local Testing Really Enough? [print this page] How is Tap Water Tested for Contamination - Is Local Testing Really Enough?
Maybe you have been wondering how is tap water tested for contamination? Is it really tested the way it should be? Does your water really pass those tests? Maybe the local testing that is done is not really enough to make sure that your water is safe.
The testing that is done on a local level often depends on the type of contaminant that you are looking for. Here is a look at different contaminants and the methods used to test them.
Bacteria Contamination
Wondering how is tap water tested for contamination when it comes to bacteria? Well in many cases you will find that evaluating the water with a microscope can let you know whether or not there is bacteria present. However, this method only allows you to see one drop of water at once, which really does not let you come to a conclusion that is reliable.
There are tests for bacteria that are more reliable. Some types of bacteria are known to react with substances in specific ways. For example, when testing for E-coli in water, a substrate can be used, which is known as magenta GLUC. Of course, when testing for bacteria, you can only test for one specific type at once.
Chemical Contamination
So, how is tap water tested for contamination when it comes to chemicals? There are a variety of different chemicals out there that can be found in water. Scientists have found that various chemicals react with one another in ways that are specific. Often certain reactants are used in order to test water for these chemicals.
One example of this is testing water with a sodium fusion test to help see if there is fluoride, bromine, nitrogen, chlorine, or sulfur in the water. Sodium is the reactant and you have to heat up the sample of water. Then you can use the litmus paper to get the results that you want.
EPA Testing for Contamination
Of course, the EPA uses many different tests to try to figure out what types of contaminants are in the supply of water. Spectrophotometry is used in order to test for nitrites, gas chromatography is used to look for VOCs in water, and there are many other tests to look for other types of pollutants that can end up in water.
If you are thinking about using home tests, you should realize that many of them are quite inaccurate. In fact, if you are wondering how is tap water tested for contamination, consider sending a sample to a good lab instead if you want to find out more about the water supply and any contaminants. This way you get good results and you can find out if the local testing in the area has really been enough.
