How to Get Your Water Quality Checked
Maintaining the health and safety of your family depends on the quality of your water. Even slight changes in taste or odor can be concerning when it comes to contaminants in water since they can cause major health problems. You will learn how to assess the quality of your water and why it is important from this tutorial.
Why Water Quality Matters
Whether you’re drinking it, cooking with it, or taking a bath with it, clean water is essential. Poor water quality, particularly in young children and the elderly, can lead to health concerns such as neurological abnormalities and gastrointestinal difficulties. Lead, germs, chemicals, and other toxins may be present in your water even if it seems clean.
Signs You Need Water Quality Testing
- A strange taste or smell: The taste and smell of your water might be caused by a variety of factors. Excess chlorine in the water is one of the most frequent causes of bad-tasting drinking water. Your water may have too much chlorine if it smells like a swimming pool. People who drink water that doesn’t taste or smell pleasant often end up drinking less than what is advised.
- Discoloration: Water discoloration might be a sign of corrosion in the tank or congested pipes. This can negatively impact your household and have harmful effects if left untreated. We also recommend that you empty the water heater or arrange for a thorough examination by a professional plumber.
- Stains on sinks and fixtures: Hard water may often cause minerals to accumulate on your dishes. They might appear soiled and stained even after you’ve just taken them out of the dishwasher, and they do not wash easily.
- Frequent illness in your household: You may be breathing in excessive doses of chlorine when taking hot showers if you have issues with your water. Over time, this may lead to respiratory issues. Regular testing is recommended even if there are no apparent issues.
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How to Test Water Quality
Determine Your Water Source
Know whether your water comes from a municipal supply or a private well. This will affect the type of testing needed.
Choose a Water Quality Testing Method
Home Testing Kits
At-home water testing kits, costing as little as $20, provide immediate results. These kits use strips to detect contaminants and are compared to a results sheet to determine if the levels are within acceptable ranges. Convenient and affordable, these kits allow you to test for common contaminants like lead, nitrate, and copper.
Professional Testing Services
The starting price for advanced testing is $200 for DIY tests sent to laboratories for analysis. These tests involve receiving a kit, collecting a sample, and sending it to a laboratory via pre-paid shipping. The results are then delivered, and there is often additional analysis and guidance provided.
Local Health Department Testing
Some health departments offer free or low-cost water testing. Do some research to see if your local health department participates in this.
Collecting Water Samples
Follow the instructions of whichever test you choose to use and carefully to avoid contamination. Use clean containers and collect samples from multiple locations in your home.
Interpreting Test Results
Understand what the results mean for your water quality. Compare your results to EPA standards to see if your water is safe.
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How to Improve Water Quality
- If your water is contaminated, stop using it for cooking and drinking.
- Think about adding purification or water-filtering equipment.
- Maintain your home’s water and plumbing systems regularly.
- Use bottled water while the problem is being fixed.
Preventative Measures for Maintaining Water Quality
To maintain good water quality, it is recommended that you regularly service your plumbing and water systems. You should also drain your water heater annually to prevent sediment, bacteria, and metal buildup, which can affect household water quality and pressure. Make sure to properly dispose of chemicals and waste instead of putting them down your pipes. Another way to stay on top of your water quality is to test your water annually, especially if you have a private well.
Plumbers in Utah
Testing your water quality is an essential step in ensuring the health and safety of your household. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can be confident in the quality of your water. If you have questions about water quality testing or any other plumbing service we provide, feel free to contact us.
Any plumbing problem in Salt Lake City and the neighboring Utah area is given the greatest care by Scott Hale. Because of this, since 1984, locals have trusted us with their plumbing requirements. Make an appointment for services in and around Salt Lake City by calling our team of specialists if you have a plumbing issue that you want us to handle.
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