Water Testing
Should you have your water Tested?
If you are like most people, figuring out the complex water testing technology for analyzing water pollution is overwhelming… Sorting through laboratory methods to find the correct water tests can be a real challenge. Some water samples may require complete analyses to document a drinking water problem. In other situations, water testing for a pool or spa may be need a simple baseline water quality level.
For EPA drinking water standard information check the National Primary Drinking Water Standards and National Secondary Drinking Water Standards. If your interested in violation and enforcement information for your water system try the EPA’s Internet Website . Or, EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 can provide you with the phone number for your state drinking water agency and answer water related questions. Be sure to check our List of Links for other technical references.
Questions and thoughts about Water Testing
What is the source of water supply you are concerned about testing? Is the water supply from a Water district, small water system, community well, private well water or city water?
How is your public or city water treated? Usually, water is treated by filtration and sterilization (normally chlorine).
Is your private or rural water treated? Most community and rural wells receive very little water treatment.
Which major water uses are producing concerns about your water quality? Residential, Hospitality, Commercial, Institutional, Agriculture, Indoor/Outdoor all have different requirements.
Residential Water Concerns
- Homeowner
- Apartment
- Domestic
- Residence
- Farm
- Cabin
- Condo
- Personal
- Family
Hospitality Water Concerns
- Hotel
- Motel
- Resort
Commercial Water Concerns
- Office
- Business
- Cafeterial
- Restaurant
- Drinking Fountain
Institutional Water Concerns
- School
- College
- Dorm
- Hospital
- Nursing home
Agriculture Water Concerns
- Irrigation
- Processing
- Runoff
- Livestock
Indoor/Outdoor Water Concerns
- Aquarium
- Pond
- Fountain
- Waterfall
- Tropical Fish
Recreation-Hobbies Water Concerns
- Swimming Pool
- Spa
- Hot Tub
- Beach
- Lake
- Shoreline
- Health Club
- Golf Course
- Recreation Center
How would you describe the water quality problems?
- Bad Taste
- Turbidity
- Odor & Color
- Hardness
- Disease
- Chlorine
- Nitrates
- Lead & Copper
- Metals
- Pesticides and other contaminants
Bad Taste, Turbidity, Odor and Color
Aesthetic water quality parameters imply water treatment problems and usually indicate other possible contamination.
Waterborne Diseases
Bacteria and protozoa, too small to see, can get into well water and surface water supplies from decaying vegetation and human and animal wastes.
- Bacteria
- Protozoa
Residual Chlorine in Water
Disinfection by-products can result from chlorine put into water during chlorination reacting with organic and other constituents already in the water.
Nitrates and Nitrites inWater
Water runoff with nitrates from chemical fertilizers and manure residues during heavy rains and flooding flows into surface water supplies and ground water wells.
Lead and Copper, Other Metals Affect Water Quality
Obvious problems come from mining and surface disturbances without proper land management. Also, metals can leach into drinking water from pipes and faucets in business and household plumbing.
Other Water Contaminants
Organics, Pesticides, and heavy metals from industrial, agricultural and urban land use activities cause pollution of water supplies. Gasoline and other petrochemical and not to mention pharmaceutical products have impacted water resources in ways not yet known.
