subject: Water Testing Made Easy [print this page] In the past, if you wanted to determine what contaminants you have in your water, you would have to take a sample into a lab and pay to have them analyze it one contaminant at a time. This can be quite an expensive process even for just a few of the basic tests for bacteria, hardness, chlorine, heavy metals, etc. Luckily technology has adapted to the point where you no longer have to go through such a hassle. There are very reliable home testing kits available at a very affordable cost.
Water Quality
We all know it can be difficult to determine what's in our water. Tap water in most areas almost never has a pleasant taste. This can be attributed to chlorine and other chemicals. This is true for those with private wells also. Many people who have wells deal with high amounts of iron and sulfur, and still have to contend with chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides. The fact that the water has an unpleasant taste is the least of your worries when it comes to the condition of your tap water. The taste is merely a reflection of how beneficial these chemicals are for you. It has been estimated that 60% of cancer cases in the United States can be directly linked to contaminants found in tap water. This makes it very important to find out exactly what's in your water.
Why You Should Test Your Well Water
It is recommended that you test your water in your well at least once every year. The levels and types of contaminants can vary substantially. This makes it very important to monitor the levels of bacteria. It's also important to check for the presence of heavy metals or deadly toxins from pesticides and fertilizers. Knowing whether or not you have hard water can save you hundreds of dollars in maintaining and replacing appliances.
Why You Should Test Your City Water
Although the water has been treated for bacteria and viruses, water from a municipal water source still has many other unwanted "guests" that can still cause health concerns. Testing your tap water gives you the knowledge of your pH balance, your water's hardness, unsafe levels of chlorine, and other contaminants.
I definitely recommend doing some studying about water quality and how good yours is. Everyone should be aware of this and now it's easier than ever to do so.
