Where Knowledge Rules

Home & Garden:

Real Estate

Get a Widget for this title

How to determine if your drinking water is safe

So often we take our drinking water for granted. If you live in a city with government montiored drinking systems, you are probably safe, although nothing is infallible. If your drinking water source is from a well, periodic testing is a must. Here's what to do and what to look for.

Well Water:
If purchasing an existing property that runs on well water, have it tested by a qualified water engineer, BEFORE you buy. Significant water problems can indicte significant costs, and if they exist, you may want to re-think your purchase, or haggle down the cost. The good news? Any new home construction in the US and Canada, must have the water source tested before any well is drilled or any property built.

Unsure whether a property runs on well water? Getting well water into your home means having a water pump and cold water storage unit, usually these are located in the basement. Just because you don't see a well, don't assume a property runs on town/city water services.

How to test well water:
There are two ways. A do-it-yourself kit from any large hardware chain store, or employing a qualified water technician to collect a sample, and then render any appropriate measures. Having previously lived in a rural area, tried the home kits, and farmer's remedies, I'd pay the technician. If you live in Canada however; with the exception of property purchases,water testing can be done for free by the Department of Environment.

What water technicians/engineers look for:
Primarily water engineers check for bacteria in the form of e-coli; and if the residence is near farms fecal coliform.
The second thing they check for are minerals such as iron; magnesium; lead,mercury and arsenic from agricultural run off in rural areas.
Determination of the waters ph levels is also tested. Ph levels should be as close to the neutral level of 5.5 as possible.

Why water testing is important:
Just because the well water looks okay, doesn't have a funny colour or taste does not mean its safe!
'Sick water' has been linked to deaths of fetuses in women, and certain types of cancers, such as stomach and bladder. HIV and cancer patients can get sicker from bad water.

What we can do to keep water safe:
If you have water well there are many thinks to do to keep your drinking water safe:
Keep a concrete lid (not a wooden one) on your well.
Install a water softener.
Install a tap water filter on both kitchen and bathroom taps.
Install a shower water filter.
If you have an older rural home, remove any lead water pipes you may have and replace with plastic or copper ones.

Safe water is the best water!

Learn more about this author, Melissa D. Ing.
Contact this writer Click here to send this author comments or questions.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

How to determine if your drinking water is safe

  • 1 of 9

    by Melissa D. Ing

    So often we take our drinking water for granted. If you live in a city with government montiored drinking systems, you are

    read more

  • by Allison Levy

    Some consumers may think that all water coming into their home is safe to drink, but that is not always the case. There

    read more

  • by Paul Wylie

    That Little Buzz You're Feeling

    Even though most of our planet is covered by water, we can not drink it. Desalinization attempts

    read more

  • 4 of 9

    by Douglas Wesson

    I guess the first thing I thought of was get your water tested. Most people would probably ask, tested for what? That really

    read more

  • 5 of 9

    by Roy Jacobs

    The quality of your drinking water is of paramount importance. There are many water borne diseases, some of which are life

    read more

View All Articles on:
How to determine if your drinking water is safe

Add your voice

Know something about How to determine if your drinking water is safe?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Do "sell and rent back" deals help or hurt homeowners facing foreclosure?

Click for your side.

125667

Featured Partner

Life in the Bible Institute

The Life in the Bible Institute's mission is to educate the general public about the value and importance of reading ...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA