You turn on the faucet and fill your glass with clean water. Clear and odorless, it looks perfectly safe to drink. However, looks can be deceiving. Various contaminants may be lurking in your tap water that are invisible to the naked eye. As a responsible homeowner, you need to understand the potential contaminants in your drinking water and how to test for pure water to ensure the health and safety of your family. This article will explore the most common drinking water contaminants, how they can enter your water supply, their potential health effects, what is the test for water? and the best options for testing your tap water so you can have peace of mind every time you take a sip.
Knowledge is power—arm yourself with the facts about your home’s water quality so you can make informed decisions about using an alternative source or treatment method if needed. The quality of your drinking water is not something you want to leave up to chance. Take matters into your own hands and test for water contaminant today.
Common Pollutants in Drinking Water
Common pollutants found in drinking water include inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, microorganisms, and radionuclides. Inorganic contaminants such as heavy metals like lead and mercury, as well as nitrates and asbestos, can leach into groundwater from natural deposits or runoff from farms and industries. High levels of inorganics may cause health issues like kidney damage, cancer, and blue baby syndrome.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, toluene, and xylene are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily and may come from industrial waste, gasoline, and solvents. Exposure to VOCs is linked to liver and kidney damage as well as cancer. Microbial pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and Giardia enter water through sewage, animal waste, and runoff. They can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and flu-like symptoms. Disinfecting water with chlorine or chloramine kills most microbes but some are resistant. Radionuclides like uranium and radium leach into groundwater through the natural breakdown of minerals in soil and rock.
While low levels of radiation in water are considered safe, higher concentrations may lead to increased cancer risks and other health issues over time. Testing for a range of contaminants helps ensure the quality and safety of drinking water. Public water utilities and private well owners should have water tested regularly by accredited labs to identify any pollutants and take appropriate treatment steps to remediate issues. Clean, contaminant-free water is essential for community health.
How to Test for Bacteria and Microbes in Water
To properly test bacteria in water and microbes, you will need to obtain water testing kits that check for coliform bacteria and E. coli. These kits typically involve collecting water samples and sending them to an accredited laboratory for analysis.
You should test your well water at least once a year, and municipal water every 3-5 years. It is also a good idea to test after any repairs or modifications to your plumbing system.
Collecting Water Samples
To get an accurate reading, collect samples from multiple locations. For well water, collect samples from spigots before and after your water softener or filtration system. For municipal water, collect from the water heater drain valve, kitchen faucet, and an outside spigot.
Fill the sterile bottles provided in the testing kits and follow the instructions carefully regarding proper collection and storage procedures before shipping. Be extremely careful not to contaminate the samples during the collection process.
Understanding the Results
The lab will test for the presence of total coliform bacteria as well as E. coli. The total coliform test checks for bacteria found in the environment that are generally not harmful. The E. coli test specifically checks for fecal coliform bacteria that can make you sick.
If no coliform bacteria or E. coli are detected, your water is considered safe to drink. If either are present, you will need to take corrective actions like disinfecting or boiling your water before consumption. The lab can advise you on appropriate next steps based on the type and amount of contamination detected.
Regular water testing provides peace of mind that you and your family have access to clean, potable water. Be proactive and test your water today.
Testing for Heavy Metals Like Lead and Mercury
To properly test your water supply for heavy metals like lead and mercury, you will need to obtain water testing kits or have samples analyzed by an accredited laboratory. Home testing kits can provide a general sense of the heavy metal levels, but for the most accurate results, laboratory testing is recommended.
Sample Collection
Lead Testing
Lead exposure is especially harmful to children, infants, and pregnant women. Have your water tested for total lead levels, which measures all forms of lead in the water including particulate and dissolved lead. The EPA’s lead action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb), though no level of lead exposure is considered safe. If results are over 5 ppb, consider using a certified water filter and retesting.
Mercury Testing
Mercury is highly toxic and can cause damage to the nervous system, especially in children and pregnant women. Total mercury tests measure all forms of mercury, including organic methylmercury. The EPA’s maximum contaminant level for mercury in drinking water is 2 ppb. If levels are detected over 1 ppb, consider using an alternative water source or a certified mercury-removal filter system.
By testing for heavy metals in your tap water and taking appropriate action based on the results, you can ensure the water you and your family drink is as contaminant-free as possible. Making sure your water is healthy and safe gives you one less thing to worry about.
Detecting Pesticides, Herbicides and Other Chemicals
Drinking water test requires testing for specific chemicals and compounds. Many pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals can pollute water sources and pose risks to human health if consumed over long periods of time.
To determine if these harmful chemicals are present in your water, you will need to have samples analyzed by an accredited water testing laboratory. They can check for substances like atrazine, glyphosate, PCBs, VOCs, and heavy metals such as lead or mercury. These tests typically require collecting multiple water samples in sterile bottles provided by the lab. Specific sampling instructions must be followed carefully to get an accurate reading.
Once the samples have been collected, the water is analyzed using scientific instruments like gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, and absorption spectrometers. These devices can detect even minute traces of contaminants down to parts per billion concentrations. The results are then reviewed by experts who will check that contaminants do not exceed safety limits set by organizations like the EPA.
If unsafe levels of any chemicals are found, the lab will recommend appropriate treatment solutions. These may include installing a reverse osmosis system, activated carbon or ion exchange filters. In some cases, drilling a new well or connecting to a municipal water supply may be necessary to ensure safe, potable water.
Regular testing of your drinking water for these harmful chemicals and compounds is the only way to truly know what is coming out of your taps and faucets. While municipal water supplies are regulated, private wells are not subject to the same scrutiny. Water quality can also change over time. By checking for common pollutants once a year or every few years, you can take appropriate action to safeguard the health of you and your family.
Ensuring Safe Drinking Water: Treatment and Filtration Options
To ensure your drinking water is safe, the quality and purity must be properly measured and contaminants removed. The most common options for water treatment and filtration in residential settings include:
Distillation
Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the resulting steam. This removes heavy metals, salts, and other contaminants with high boiling points. However, it requires a significant amount of energy and does not remove volatile organic compounds. Home distillers can be expensive, though the purified water may be useful for certain medical equipment like CPAP machines.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis (RO) forces the water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes ions, molecules and particles. RO can remove bacteria, protozoa, heavy metals like lead, and many other contaminants. It requires electricity to operate and also wastes 3-10 gallons of water for every purified gallon produced. RO systems range widely in price and can provide a continuous supply of purified water for drinking and cooking.
Water Softeners
Water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium. They do not remove other contaminants and are mainly used to prevent mineral buildup in pipes and water heaters or improve the feel of the water. Salt must be periodically added for the ion exchange. Water softeners typically do not purify water or make it safer to drink.
Filtration
Filters use physical barriers like granular activated carbon, ceramic, and paper to remove contaminants and impurities from water. They can efficiently remove particles, chlorine, heavy metals, and microorganisms. However, they typically do not soften hard water. The filters require regular replacement to prevent buildup and ensure maximum contaminant removal. Basic faucet-mounted or pitcher filters are affordable options for most homeowners to improve water taste and quality.
In many cases, a multi-stage system with 2 or more of these treatment options is needed to provide safe, clean drinking water that meets your needs. Consulting with a water quality expert can help determine the appropriate solution based on the contaminants present in your local water supply and household requirements.
Conclusion
As a concerned citizen, you now have the knowledge and resources to test your own water for contaminants and take action. While municipal water systems aim to provide clean, safe drinking water to all, there are many factors that can influence water quality between the treatment plant and your tap. By routinely testing your water with an at-home kit or by sending samples to an accredited lab, you can gain peace of mind that the most fundamental resource for life— water—meets the standards for safe consumption and use. You have the power to work with local officials and advocacy groups to demand change and access to clean water, a basic human right for all, if you detect contaminants at levels of concern. The quality of your water is quite literally in your hands.
