Drinking 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 support 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 addition to illness, a variety of less serious problems such as taste, color. odor and staining of clothes or fixtures are symptoms 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 contaminants. 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 is either public (you and others are connected 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 private drinking water comes from wells, though springs and ponds are sometimes used.
If your water comes from a pubic or municipal water system your water is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards, such as pathogens, radioactive elements and certain toxic chemicals. However, some public water supplies may have water quality problems caused by inadequate municipal water treatment facilities or distribution systems. Some rural water supply districts do not have enough money to hire trained specialists or to immediately comply with expanding government requirements. In addition, corrosive water or deteriorating pipes in the house may add contaminants to municipal drinking water after it enters your home.
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