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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.
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