Because concerns about environmental safety – our air, land, water – are paramount today, many of us choose to test our tap water. To answer the question “Should I have my water tested?” the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) says you should consider several factors.
Health Considerations for Water Quality
If you have public water service, you can contact your water company for a copy of the most recent water quality report. You may decide the acceptable level of contaminants are unacceptable for your family. If you get your water from a well or your well is near a septic system, you’re responsible for ensuring drinking water safety with routine testing. A record of clean well water also provides due diligence if something later contaminates it.
If you have a pregnancy in your household, test your water for nitrates in the early months of pregnancy and again after the baby is born. Water should be tested for coliform bacteria and PH levels every year, but especially if you’ve had underground plumbing work or pipe repair.
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Water Quality Red Flags
Water shouldn’t be “an acquired taste.” It should also be odorless and colorless. It shouldn’t stain clothing or plumbing fixtures. Water quality red flags are indicators you need to test your water. They can include:
- Nearby agriculture/farming
- Nearby coal/mining operations, gas drilling
- Pipes/plumbing is corroded
- Property adjacent to/near a gas station, dump, landfill, factory, or dry-cleaners
- Radon-rich local air
- Recurring gastrointestinal illness
- Scaly residues
- Soaps won’t lather
- Water is frothy or cloudy
Make an Informed Decision
To learn more about water testing, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or call 800-426-4791. We encourage water testing before selecting a water filtration or water purification system for your home or business. It’s a good idea to know which contaminants you should target.
Bradbury Brothers Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is a family-owned and operated local business, and we care about your family, too. We want to share our knowledge of water and air filtration with our neighbors, so call 281-661-4283, 936-756-5472, or contact us to learn more about ways to improve your drinking water quality.
