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Water, our most precious commodity.
It never wears out, but it does become contaminated. The safety of the water we use – for drinking, cooking, and bathing – cannot be taken for granted. Water may look safe, taste good, and smell fine – yet be unsafe to drink.
Fortunately, we are here to help! We have grouped some of the most common water concerns into three packages so that you can know what you and your family are drinking. Plus, we have an annual maintenance package to make it easy. The EPA recommends testing your drinking water annually.
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Our Testing Packages
Water quality is based on guidelines established under the Federal and State
Safe Drinking Water Acts (SDWA). Primary Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are the maximum permissible levels of a contaminant in water and are federally enforceable standards. Levels higher than the MCLs may have adverse effects on one’s health.
What Should I test for?
Why do sinks turn blue/green?
Blue/green stains indicate that acidic/corrosive water is passing through copper pipes, dissolving the copper from the pipes, and redepositing it as copper sulfate on the plumbing fixtures.
Should the homeowner try to correct this situation?
Yes. Pinpoint leaks can eventually develop in the system as a result of this leaching process. It also increases the possibility of leaching lead from any lead solder joints or lead-containing fixtures. This situation can be corrected by installing an acid
neutralizer.
Why does my water produce brown stains?
Brown stains usually indicate the presence of iron or manganese in the water.
Why is my water cloudy?
- If the problem is worse after rain, it is probably sediment and indicates intrusion of surface water into the well.
- A sudden appearance may indicate the collapse of the well wall.
Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?
- The smell may indicate a severe bacteria contamination;
- If only the hot water contains the odor, the hot water heater probably has a magnesium anode rod. The purpose of the rod is to reduce corrosion in the tank but under certain conditions can produce a rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) odor.
- Naturally occurring pockets of hydrogen sulfide may be present in the ground. This may be corrected with a taste and odor filter or through chlorinating.
What tests are recommended if I'm pregnant or if I have small children?
- Test for bacteria because bacteria contamination is the most common problem with private wells and frequently indicates the intrusion of surface water. This is an undesirable condition.
- Test for nitrates because elevated nitrate levels can interfere with the transport of oxygen in the blood of small infants and the unborn child, which can lead to a condition called methemoglobenia (blue baby syndrome).
- Test for lead because infants are most susceptible to lead toxicity.
What is a normal pH reading?
Neutral pH is 7. Less than 7 is acidic; more than 7 is alkaline.
Examples of pH:
- Vinegar has a pH of 2.
- Pollution free rain has a pH of 5.7. The pH of “acid” rain can be as low as 3.
- Drano has a pH of 12.
- EPA recommends the pH of drinking water between 6.5 and 8.5.
Resources
Collect a Water Sample for the Intermediate Package
You can collect the sample in TWO full 1-quart sized sterilized mason jars. Sterilize the jars by placing them and the lids in boiling water for 10 minutes or by running them through the dishwasher cycle. Sample Collection Container 1 - Lead and Copper PRIOR TO...
Tips for Homeowners: How to Collect a Water Sample for PFAS Analysis
BEFORE SAMPLING The laboratory will provide two preserved bottles for sampling, a bagged field blank kit, and nitrile gloves. The sample collector must wash their hands before sampling and wear nitrile gloves while filling and sealing the sample bottles. PFAS...
Tips for Homeowners: How to Collect a Water Sample for a Basic Package
You can collect the sample in a full 1-quart sized sterilized mason jar. Sterilize the jar by placing the jar and lid in boiling water for 10 minutes or by running it through the dishwasher cycle. FILL ALL THE BOTTLES FROM THE SAME SOURCE SELECT THE BEST SOURCE. The...
Interpretation Of Results
Aluminum occurs naturally in water and is also used in water-treatment processes to flocculate suspended particles. No standard has been set, but at high levels it has been suggested that it may cause skeletal and neurological problems.Arsenic in water can result from...
Tips for Homeowners: Wells and Well Water
WELL ANATOMY All wells must be constructed by licensed well drillers in accordance with state regulations. The well must pass inspection and the water should be certified as potable (drinkable) by the health department before the well can be used. The components of a...
Tips for Homeowners: Iron Bacteria
What are iron bacteria? Iron bacteria are widespread in the environment. They will generally be found in iron water pipes and anywhere else that a combination of dissolved iron and dissolved oxygen is present. Iron bacteria are found in soil, stream, cool surface...