| Since we all know that water is the life-blood of the | | | | where your area ranks as far as water purification |
| home, it is important to ensure the liquid coming out | | | | standards. You might be surprised, as often, a city |
| of the taps is top-quality. Not only are there the | | | | with ample clean, flowing fresh water supplies, such |
| obvious health detriments associated with dirty | | | | as Vancouver, will actually have lower water-quality |
| water, but, aside from drinking water, you want to | | | | than a large metropolitan area, such as Toronto, that |
| have relatively clean and clear water feeding into | | | | invests in advanced infrastructure to purify its |
| appliances such as washing machines and | | | | otherwise unclean supply. |
| dishwashers. | | | | As quality is mostly determined by the city in public |
| While professional water-quality testers are available | | | | supplies, testing is usually needed for private supplies. |
| for hire, it's possible to do-it-yourself. Even clean | | | | However, even homes on a public supply should test |
| looking water might be contaminated, so it is prudent | | | | the water after a renovation involving the plumbing, |
| to test, especially moving to a new space. But | | | | as the building process can cause problems that were |
| before you start collecting samples to send off to | | | | not present before. Also, when purchasing a house |
| the laboratory for analysis, there are some important | | | | with a public supply, remember that contamination |
| basics to appreciate about where and when testing is | | | | can occur in the home's own plumbing. Old lead pipes, |
| needed. | | | | solder joints, and deteriorating plumbing can all lead to |
| Every property's water comes from either a public | | | | quality issues. |
| supply or a private supply. Public supplies include | | | | As far as season is concerned, spring or summer |
| sources such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs. A private | | | | months are best for water quality testing. Try to |
| supply almost always means a well although some | | | | test immediately following a heavy rain, particularly |
| properties draw from a private pond or a spring. In | | | | for well or spring supplies. If you are getting cloudy |
| some cases, such as cottages and rural homes, the | | | | or frothy water, or if the water leaves a residue, |
| source will be a public one, such as a river, but the | | | | these are sure signs of problems. If you think you |
| filtration and purification will be done privately on the | | | | have a serious problem, hire a professional |
| property instead of the municipality. | | | | water-quality tester, especially if there are children |
| With a public supply, water-quality will often depend | | | | that live in the home. For infants in particular, water |
| on the city or town and how much money goes into | | | | contamination, depending on the form, can have |
| the filtration of the supply. It is easy to look up | | | | wide, acute and long lasting effects. |