Drinking Water Water Testing Advice for home buyers home owners home inspectors

Find Here:Water Quality Fact Sheet #4, Cooperative Extension System, Cornell University, University of Maryland - advice regarding testing of home  water supply for contaminants.

Should You Have Your Water Tested?

Judith C. Stawan Extension suppon aide

                            Ann T. Lemisy associate professor College of Human Ecology Cornell University
Sharon 1. Hogan communications consultant
Richard A. WeIsmiller soil end water resource specialist Department of Agronomy

                            The University of Maryland

The question of whether or not to have your water tested is a serious one that
concerns the health of you and your family. Your water should be safe to drink

                            and acceptable for all other household uses. in additton to illness, a variety
of less serious problems such aS taste, color. odor and staining of clothes or

                            fixtures are symp- toms of water quality problems. Even water that appears
problem-free may not necessarily be safe or acceptable.

Not everyone needs to test their water and it is impractical and unnecessary
                            
to test for all possible contam- inants. This fact sheet provides a few
guidelines for deciding whether or not to have your water tested. and if so.

                            what tests would be appropriate for your situation. Your Cooperative Extension
agent can offer you further assistance and information.

Public Versus Private Water Supplies


                            Many homeowners get water simply by turning on the faucet and making a monthly
payment to a municipal water system. others provIde their own water. Your water

                            supply 15 either public (you and others are con- nected to the same water
system) or private (you supply your own water). Public water systems draw water

                            from rivers, reservoirs, springs or ground water wells. Most priuste drlnWng
tester comes from walls, though sIsrings and ponds are sometimes used.


                            If your water comes from a pubic or munnicipal water system your water is
regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards,

                            such as path- ogens, radioactive elements and certaIn toxic chemicals. However,
some public water supplies may have water quality problems caused by Inadequate

                            municipal water treattment facilities or disttrlbution systems. Some rural
water supply districts do not have enough money to hire trained specialtsts or

                            to immediately comply with ex- panding government requirements. In addition,
corrosive water or deteriorating pipes in the house may add contaminants to
municipal drinking water after it enters your home. 

When Should You Test Your Water?

Whether you have a public or private waler supply. you should have your water

                            tested if the following situ- ations arise;

If family members or house guests haue recurrent inodents of gastmintestinal
illness: Test for coliform bacteria, nitrate and sulfate.


                            If household plumbing contains lead pipes, fittings, or solder joints: Test for
pH, corrosion index, lead, copper, cadmium and zinc.

If you are buying a home and wish to assess the safety and quality of the

                            existing water supply: Test for coliform bacteria, nitrate, lead, iron,
hardness, pH, sulfate, total dissolved solids (TDS), corrosion index and other

                            parameters depending on proximity to poten- tial sources of contamination.

If a water softener is needed to treat hard water: Test for Iron and manganese,

                            which decrease the efficiency of cation exchange softeners, before purchase and
installation.

If you wish to monitor the efficiency ond performance of home water treatment

                            equipment: Test for the spedfic water problem being treated upon installation,
at regular intervals after installation, and if water quality changes.


                            If water stains plumbing fixtures and laundry: Test for iron, manganete and
copper.

If water has an objectionable taste or smell; Test for hydrogen sulfide, pH,

                            corrosion index, copper, lead, iron, zinc, sodium, chloride and TDS.

If water appears cloudy, frothy, or colored: Test for color, turbidity and
detergents.


                            If pipes or plumbing show signs of corrosion: Test for corrosion index, PS,
lead, iron, manganese. copper and zinc.

If water leaves scaly residues and soap scum, and decreases the cleaning action

                            of soaps and detergents: Test for hardness.

If water supply equipment (pump, chlorinators, etc.) wear: rapidly: Test for
pH, corrosion index.

Private Water Supplies


                            Routine Tests. The testing frequencies in this fact sheet are general
guidelines. Test more often if you suspect there is a problem with the quality
of your drinking water.


                            Once each year test for coliform bacteria, nitrate,
pH and TDS. it is best to test for these contaminants
during the spring or summer following a rainy
period. These tests should also be conducted after

                            repairing or replacing an old well or pipes, and after
installing a new well or pump.

Every 3 years test for sulfate, chloride, iron, manganese, lead, hardness and
corrosion index.


                            If a new baby is expected in the household it is a good idea to test for
nitrate in the early months of a pregnancy, before bringing an infant home, and
again during the first 6 months of the baby's life.


                            Special Situations.

Where you live, or what you are living next to, can sometimes affect the
quality of your well water. If someone in your family becomes ill, or the

                            taste, odor or color of your water changes, your water supply may be
contaminated.

If your well is in an area of intensive agricultural use: Test for pesticides

                            commonly used in the area, coliform bacteria, nitrate, pH and TDS.

If you live near a coal or other mining operation: Test for iron, manganese,
aluminum, pH and corrosion index.


                            If your well is near a gas drilling operation: Test for chloride, sodium,
barium and strontium.

If your water, smells like gasoline or fuel oil, and your well is located near

                            on operational or abandoned gas station or buried fuel storage tanks: Test for
fuel components or volatile organic com- pounds ('OC's).

If your well is near a dump, junkyard, landfill, factory, or dry cleaning
                            
operation: Test for volatile organic chemicals (such as gasoline components and
cleaning solvents) pH, TDS, chloride, sulfate and metals. -


                            If your well is near seawater, a road salt storage site, or a heavily salted
roadway and you notice the water tastes salty or signs of corrosion appear on
pipes: Test for chloride, TDS and sodium.