Testing Your Water

You can't see them. You can't smell them. You can't even taste them.
Contaminants such as bacteria and harmful chemicals could be lurking in your drinking water. Anytime you notice a change in your water quality, such as odor, color or laundry problems, have it tested thoroughly. Whether you draw from a municipal system or your own well, you can (and should) check your home's water quality with minimal time and expense.

MUNICIPAL WATER is required by law to be tested regularly, and regulated substances must be kept below the maximum contaminant level. Your local water company issues annual reports with the results of those tests. Look for them inside your water bill. Homeowners can test municipal water as well.

• Request a water sampling kit from a water-testing laboratory, and follow the directions carefully.
• Return the container to the lab within 36 hours of collecting samples.
• Water results and an interpretation sheet will be returned to you in the mail.
• Approximate cost: $35-$45
• For more frequent testing use a home test such as the Watersafe® drinking water kit. Approximate cost: $19.95

WELL WATER should be tested regularly. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 1999-2000 contaminated private well water caused 26% of the drinking water outbreaks that made people sick.

• Check your well every spring to make sure there are no mechanical problems.
• Test every 15 months for coliform bacteria and nitrates.
• Have a professional lab do an in-depth test every 2-3 years. Your local water company should be able to recommend a lab near you.

You should also have your well tested if:

• There are known problems near your well (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, nearby waste disposal sites, commercial farms, dairies, etc).
• You replace or repair any part of your well system.