| Regular water quality testing is necessary for people | | | | Facilities try to assure the public that it is safe to |
| that own a private well. Even if the tests have | | | | drink, but environmental groups advise homeowners |
| always reported no contaminants, they should be | | | | in most areas of the US that that should, at the very |
| repeated on an annual basis. Mining and other | | | | least, install a chlorine filter. |
| incoming industry can have a negative effect on wells | | | | Chlorine filters are relatively inexpensive, but they |
| in the surrounding area. | | | | don't address all of the issues. For example, they |
| If a homeowner has a record of when the | | | | may not remove traces of lead or other heavy |
| contamination occurred, the courts can require that | | | | metals. They don't include enough steps to improve |
| the industry responsible makes restitution. Otherwise | | | | bad taste caused by mold or other issues. They will |
| there is no proof and the company will not accept | | | | not remove herbicides or pesticides, either. |
| responsibility. | | | | Independent water quality testing paid for by the |
| For those that are serviced by a public treatment | | | | Environmental Working Group showed high levels of |
| facility, water quality testing is necessary for | | | | Atrazine, lindane and alachlor in homes and offices in |
| homeowners that have older pipes. Lead was used | | | | the Corn Belt and rural Maryland. Those are common |
| to line some of the older pipelines and also to solder | | | | herbicides and pesticides that have been banned in |
| the joints. High levels of lead have been found in | | | | the European Union, but are still commonly used in |
| some of the older cities around the US, because their | | | | the US. |
| whole infrastructure needs to be replaced. | | | | Levels would be particularly high during the spring and |
| Lead is also a naturally occurring substance that is | | | | summer months, but you really need protection all |
| found in surface and groundwater in many areas, | | | | year long. You can get the protection that you need |
| because it is in the rocks. Because water quality | | | | with an effective home filter. |
| testing can be expensive and because not all | | | | To answer the question, water quality testing is not |
| contaminants are tested for, the best solution is to | | | | absolutely necessary in homes serviced by a public |
| install a home filter. | | | | treatment facility, but a water home purifier is. |
| You may already be aware of some contaminants. | | | | To become better informed about the available |
| Chlorine, for example, is something that you can smell | | | | options regarding water filtration systems you can |
| and taste. When levels are particularly high, you can | | | | install at your home, visit my website. |
| actually see yellow particles in the bottom of a pot. | | | | |