If you have young children or live in an older home, you must get your water tested often. Old pipes can contain harmful materials. With wear and tear, these materials will break down and end up in your water supply. The higher the mineral content, the higher the risk for your children. The correct test is vital for your safety and your family’s health.
Test for nitrates
Nitrates in water are a significant concern and can cause health problems. These toxic elements are released from decomposing materials, including human and animal waste. While nitrates are necessary for plant growth, they can be harmful in excess quantities. In addition, because of their highly water-soluble nature, they can easily leak into the groundwater, contaminating the water supply.
Fortunately, there is a way to test for nitrates in water. The EPA recommends drinking less than 10 mg of nitrates per liter of drinking water. This amount is known as ppm or parts-per-million. In general, if nitrate levels in your water exceed this level, it is unhealthy to drink.
Test for pesticides
If you believe your water is tainted with pesticides, consider having a test done by Water Testing Hedgesville, WV. While pesticides in drinking water are generally not found in concentrations high enough to cause immediate health effects, they can raise your risk of cancer, congenital disabilities, and liver damage. To avoid these risks, it is essential to test water for pesticides.
Pesticides are present in many kinds of water, including groundwater, surface water, and soil. Their presence in these waters concerns public health and the environment. Fortunately, there are methods available to treat water contaminated by pesticides.
Test for coliform bacteria
If you’re concerned about the health of your water supply, you should test for coliform bacteria. While this test may give you an accurate indication of whether your water is free from pathogenic bacteria, it’s not a guarantee. However, if your water contains high coliform levels, you should take action immediately.
One way to check whether your water is free from coliform bacteria is by performing a total coliform bacteria test. This is the most straightforward test for determining whether your water supply is bacteria-free. It measures the number of total coliforms, bacteria in soil and surface water, and human waste. Another test you can use to determine whether or not your water is free from bacteria is fecal coliforms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals.
Test for total dissolved solids
TDS (total dissolved solids) are organic compounds in water that can affect drinking water quality. They can include viruses and bacteria. Other contaminants in water include heavy metals, salts, and pharmaceutical drugs. TDS meters can identify different pollutants. If you suspect that your water contains contaminants, a test is a good idea.
Total dissolved solids are not necessarily dangerous, but high levels can cause several problems. For example, high concentrations of TDS can cause a bitter taste in water and leach toxins into appliances. It is also possible to cause corrosion on metal piping in your home. You may even find elevated levels of trace metals.
Total dissolved solids are measured in milligrams per unit volume of water. The maximum limit for drinking water is 500 mg/L. The amount of TDS will also vary depending on the flow rate of the water. If the water flows rapidly, it will pick up large amounts of sediment. In addition, flow rates may change during heavy rains, and this can also affect TDS levels.
Test for Turbidity
The turbidity test determines the concentration of suspended particles in water. The most common method is to weigh a water sample. This method is more accurate but requires more time and effort. However, it does give a better picture of the concentration.
There are many different methods of measuring turbidity. Some use full-scale meters, while others use visual methods. If you’re in the field and don’t have full-scale meters, you can also use a Secchi disk to measure turbidity. The Secchi disk is best for quick-field use. Once it disappears, you’ll know that the water has reached its Secchi depth. Although subjective, it works well for measuring water quality in low-turbidity environments.
A good rule of thumb is to use 25 mL of sample water and clean the sample cells before taking the measurements. To ensure an accurate result, wipe dry the cells with a clean cloth. The sample should be free of air bubbles, which can give a falsely high turbidity reading.