Knowing you have safe water at home is critical to your health and well-being. If your water is in any way contaminated or contains harsh minerals, it can cause a range of health issues. These can be anything from dry hair and skin to gastrointestinal issues to long-term diseases. Many people have been increasingly concerned about the health and safety of their water, which is perfectly natural for those with families and loved ones. Fortunately, there are factors and methods to consider to strengthen the health of your home’s water supply.
Understanding Common Contaminants
Depending on where you live, and whether you live in a rural or urban area, the unhealthy elements of your water may vary. However, before you start testing your water, it’s important to understand the common types of contaminants that could affect water quality and how water conditioning bellefontaine oh can provide you with the best quality water.
Microbiological Contaminants
These contaminants include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause illness and infection. The most commonly found microbiological contaminants are E. Coli and cryptosporidium.
Chemical Contaminants
Common chemical contaminants include pesticides, typically in rural areas, heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, and industrial chemicals. Industrial chemicals are more common in areas with a lot of construction or manufacturing plants. However, those rural areas producing pesticides may also produce chemical runoff.
Physical Contaminants
Physical contaminants include sediment, rust, and particulate matter that affect the taste and appearance of water. Typically, physical contaminants aren’t going to cause illness like chemical contaminants, but they can affect the cleanliness of your hair, skin, clothes, and dishes. This is known as hard water.
Radionuclides
Common in areas with construction and manufacturing, radionuclides can both occur naturally and be found in chemical runoff. This is perhaps the least common of the four types of contaminants, but it should be on the list nonetheless.
Check Yourself: A Visual and Sensory Check
Who says you can’t test your water with your own senses? You don’t always need an at-home water test kit to tell that something is up with your home’s water supply. There are three major components of unhealthy water that you can detect with your own five senses.
Appearance
Water that is discolored or cloudy is immediately seen as unhealthy, and you should not be drinking this water unless you plan to put it through a strong water filtration system. When water is discolored, it may contain rust, algae, and plenty of other contaminants.
Odor
Anyone with a sense of smell can tell when water has a strong odor and should not be used for drinking. Water doesn’t have a discernible smell, so if your water smells like chlorine or rotten eggs, i.e. sulfur, you may have chemical or bacterial contamination.
Taste
Lastly, if your water doesn’t taste like, well, water, you should put that glass down and call a local water company for testing. Water should be tasteless as it is odorless, so unusual flavors indicate contamination.
Using an At-Home Water Quality Test Kit
Calling a professional for a water quality problem is always a good idea. However, there are plenty of reliable at-home water testing kits that are useful for testing for the most common, harmful contaminants. Many at-home water testing kits can alert you to lead, bacteria, and chlorine in your water. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for an accurate result.
Call a Water Quality Professional
It is perfectly fine if you’ve got at-home water test results and have found contaminants in your water – as long as you don’t attempt to build a filter yourself. Water quality professionals are ready and willing to help you accurately test the quality of your water. These comprehensive analyses provide a thorough vision of your home’s water quality with accurate results that can be interpreted by a professional.
Interpret Test Results
So how does a water quality professional interpret the results of a water quality test? The results found are compared to what a healthy standard water supply should look like. This has been determined by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, and its guidelines dictate what is safe and acceptable. Any diversions from this accepted norm indicate water quality issues that should be addressed.
Address Water Quality Issues and Implement Changes
Fortunately, there are a few ways to address water quality issues and implement the right changes. Here are a few of the most common to ensure safe water at home.
Filter Systems
A water quality professional will be on hand to help you understand which water filtration systems are right for your situation. Water filtration systems installed by a professional are certified to remove specific contaminants found in your water. Different filters target different issues, so choose based on your test results. Options include activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, and UV purifiers.
Water Softeners
For appliances such as your home’s washer or water heater, water softening systems make a world of difference. They target hard water, which indicates high levels of calcium and magnesium in the water, which causes dry skin, hair, and unclean dishes and clothing. And more than that, water softeners also extend the life of these appliances.
Pipe Replacement
While pipe replacement is a significant home improvement project, it may be the right solution according to your water quality test. Old and rusty pipes cause bits of rust, i.e., iron and lead, to get into and contaminate your home’s water supply.
How You Can Continue to Protect Your Family’s Water Supply
Ensuring safe water at home is essential for maintaining good health and quality of life. By understanding common contaminants, performing regular tests, addressing any issues, and staying informed, you can protect yourself and your family from potential water-related health risks.
If you’re unsure about any aspect of water safety, consulting with the professionals at Absolute Plumbing can provide additional guidance and ensure that your home’s water remains clean and safe for all your needs
