It's essential that we have clean water.We need water to drink, to bathe, and to clean our houses.If you want to test the water quality in your home, you can purchase a home test kit, engage your senses, or get a Water Quality Report for your area.Ensuring that your water does not contain harmful levels ofbacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrites/nitrates, chlorine, or hard water, and maintaining an appropriate pH is important for good health.
Step 1: Understand what you are testing for
Concentration ofbacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrites/nitrates, chlorine, and the water's pH are some of the factors that affect the quality of water.nitrates are harmful to infants, chlorine aids in disinfecting, calcium and magnesium can cause scale build up in pipes, and water with high pH levels can be corrosive.
Step 2: A home water quality test kit can be purchased.
The kits all function the same.The test strips will change color based on the water's mineral content.You can match the strip's color to a chart.There are different strips for different things in a test kit.If there is only a single strip in the kit, it will be for testing the pH.
Step 3: You should read the directions.
There are some directions in your test kit.How long each strip should be exposed to water will be explained in these.It is important to read and follow the instructions even if you have done this before.
Step 4: You can expose each strip to water.
To expose each strip to water, follow the guidelines in your test kit.The first thing you will do is fill a glass with room temperature water.After dipping the strip into the water, you will be able to move it back and forth gently.
Step 5: The water should be removed from the strip.
Remove the strip from the glass and shake it off.Wait for the strip to change color as you compare it to the chart included in the testing kit.
Step 6: Do you know the quality of your water?
To determine the level of each substance in your water, compare each strip's color to the color chart.Concentration levels can be designated as either acceptable or hazardous by the color chart.If you register a hazardous result, you should perform the test again to make sure that the result is not due to human error.The test may show a hazardous result a second time.
Step 7: The water has something to smell about it.
tuning in to your senses can help determine the quality of your water.If a professional water engineer were to come to your house, they would be sure to smell, taste, and look at the water.To test the quality of your water, give it a good smell.Your local treatment plant must add chlorine to your water to make it safe.If the water is exposed to air for a while, the scent fades.You can buy a home water filter to get rid of it.A bleach smell is not harmful.A growth ofbacteria is usually indicated by a rotten-egg smell.First, pour a glass of water, bring it to another part of the house, wait a few minutes, and then smell it.If the water doesn't smell anymore, then it's time to clean your drain.If the water still smells rotten egg, you should contact your local government.The smell is most likely the result of decaying organic matter.This could be inside your drain or in the water.The smell is most likely harmless.
Step 8: Take a sip from the water.
The quality of your water can be determined by using your taste buds.If your water tastes bad, spit it out.If your tap water has a metallic taste, it can be caused by either low pH levels or excess minerals in your water supply.It could be an excess of chlorine in your water.If your water tastes salty, it could be caused by industrial waste or irrigation drainage.If you don't like the taste of your water, you can contact the EPA.
Step 9: Check for particles and cloudiness.
Look for floating particles or cloudiness when you hold a glass of water up to the light.Rust can cause brown, orange, or red particles.Black particles can come from the hoses that your water runs through.Excess calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate can be found in your water.If you notice particulate matter in your water, contact the EPA.
Step 10: Examine the color.
Allow the water to run for a few minutes before you start looking at the color of it.Any build up from standing water will be cleared by this.A glass of water should be held up to the light.There are a few factors that can cause brown, murky, or discolored water.If the color of your water isn't right, contact the EPA.
Step 11: Check your pipes for build-up.
Excess rust or other minerals can get into your water if your pipes have a lot of build-up.There are a few things you can look for around your house.If your pipes have a lot of build-up, you should have them looked at by a professional.If your pipes are above ground, look for areas that leak.If your pipes are hard to get to, look inside your toilet bowl for rust or around the base of the toilet for blue stains.If you are having plumbing work done, you should be able to see the cut portion of your pipe.There is a build-up of blue, white, or rust.
Step 12: Contact the local government.
The results of the water quality tests must be made public each year.If you want to test the quality of your water, you can get a copy of the water quality report.Simply contact your local town hall.
Step 13: You can visit the website.
Water Quality Reports can be found on the website for your town or city.You can determine the quality of your water by visiting your local website.
Step 14: You can search the National Drinking Water database.
The database has over 20 million records from state water officials.You can pull up water quality reports by plugging in your zip code.
Step 15: Call the village hall if you have a question.
Obtaining a Water Quality Report can be done by contacting your village hall.This is a good option if you don't know where to go.You can either get the Water Quality Report from your village hall or find out where you can get it.
Step 16: Call your water company.
Speak to your water company to procure a Water Quality Report.A representative from your water company should be able to give you a current Water Quality Report, or at the very least tell you where you can get one.