We have not done this in a while, so today we will provide a list of common water quality problems/situations along with possible causes… and water testing options designed to help homeowners properly assess their individual water quality situations.
Conditions or Nearby Activities | Recommended Test |
Recurrent gastrointestinal illness | Coliform bacteria |
Household plumbing contains lead | pH, alkalinity, total hardness, lead, copper |
Radon present in indoor air or region | Radon |
Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather | Total hardness |
Water softener to treat hardness | Manganese, iron |
Stained plumbing fixtures, laundry | Iron, copper, manganese |
Bad taste or smell | Hydrogen sulfide, pH, alkalinity, total hardness, metals |
Water is cloudy, frothy or colored | Color, detergents |
Corrosion of pipes, plumbing | pH, alkalinity, total hardness |
Rapid wear of water treatment equipment | Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria |
Nearby coal, other mining operation | Metals, pH, cyanide |
Gas drilling operation nearby | Chloride, sodium, barium, strontium |
Gasoline or fuel oil odor | Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) |
Dump, landfill, factory nearby | VOCs, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals |
Salty taste or heavily salted roadway nearby | Chloride, TDS, sodium |
Most information in the tables above and below extracted from: http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/testingLabs.htm
The link above also featured a list of potential reason for one to test their water. See below, please, and keep in mind that neither the list above nor the list below serves as an all-inclusive list of reason to test one’s water supply. Many other hazardous water quality situations exist other than the ones in this article!
Suspected Contaminant | When to Test |
Arsenic | Obtain baseline test results, follow up with (at least) annual testing, and test sfter installation of treatment system to ensure proper function |
Bacteria | At least annually, if a newborn or elderly person resides in the home, after installation/service of well equipment, and any time the well casing may have gotten compromised |
Iron | Water has a reddish hue or leaves reddish, rusty stains on fixtures |
Nitrate | Shouldget tested (at least) annually, in agricultural areaseas, and if pregnant women or very young children reside in the home |
Uranium | Shallow wells in areas known to contain bedrock with a lot of uranium |
Radon | Most areas require this testing before the sale of a home may get completed |
Sulfur & Manganese | Water has a bitter taste and/or rotten egg odor |