| Consumers across the country are becoming more | | | | especially important if your home is on the far end of |
| and more aware of potential hazards that may be in | | | | the distribution line (ie, a long way from the |
| their drinking water. While it is true that the United | | | | treatment plant). Homes that are on the end of the |
| States has some of the safest drinking water on | | | | line, especially in rural areas, may find significant drops |
| Earth, problems can arise. In truth, there are many | | | | in both chlorine levels and pH levels. |
| situations in which homeowners should test their | | | | If you get your drinking water from a private well |
| drinking water just to be safe. Here are some of | | | | you will certainly want to monitor and test your |
| those conditions. | | | | water on a regular basis. Private well water can |
| If you live in a home that may be exposed to lead, | | | | become contaminated overnight under certain |
| you should test your water. This would include | | | | circumstances. |
| homes or structures that have lead pipes, brass | | | | The same is true for homes or farms where the well |
| fixtures, or plumbing joints that were sealed with lead | | | | is located close to the septic tank. |
| solder. | | | | If you have recently installed a new well, it is |
| Plumbing that contains lead is normally found in older | | | | imperative that the water be tested before you |
| homes and apartments, but can be found in a few | | | | drink it. This is normally a part of the drilling process, |
| newer homes. It is important to understand that in | | | | but additional testing (up to six months) is also |
| this case the lead in the water is coming from within | | | | recommended. |
| your home and is not coming from the water that is | | | | Regardless of where the water comes from, if |
| delivered to your home via the water company. | | | | someone in the home is pregnant the water should |
| If your water has an odd or unpleasant odor or | | | | be tested and monitored periodically. |
| taste, you should test it. Clean, fresh water should | | | | Water testing can be done with in-home testing kits |
| have no odor to it and should not have any | | | | or through certified labs. The latter is more expensive |
| distinctive taste. There are a variety of things that | | | | than the former, but offers more accurate results as |
| can cause taste and/or odor problems with water | | | | well as options for more complicated test sets. |
| and the only way to get to the root cause is through | | | | If testing shows you have a problem, your next step |
| testing. | | | | should be to look into water filters or water filtration |
| If you find that your water is staining your sinks, | | | | systems. Water filters and water filtration systems |
| toilets, tubs or staining your clothing when it is | | | | can resolve most, if not all, of your water |
| laundered, you should test the water. Again, there | | | | contaminate problems. Water filters are affordable |
| can be a variety of reasons for this and testing is | | | | and easy to install, and they provide your family with |
| the only way to find the true cause. | | | | the protection they need at a fraction of what |
| Another reason for testing your tap water occurs | | | | bottled water would cost. |
| when you move into a new home. This can be | | | | |