3 Simple Ways to Test Your Water Quality

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:39:00 GMT

Water supplies in many areas of the country are known to contain unsafe chemicals including arsenic, lead, pesticides, chlorine, and industrial chemicals. Many of these contaminants in drinking water have the potential to increase risk for a variety of disease states ranging from cancer to a heightened risk of miscarriage. For this reason, it’s important for you to be aware of the hidden contaminants and unsafe chemicals lurking in the drinking water you’re serving to you and your family. Here are the three simple ways to test your water without spending a fortune:

Taste it

Taste your water periodically to see if your water has developed a new taste or odor. This can indicate the presence of increased concentrations of unsafe chemicals. If your water has a chemical or slightly medicinal taste, it may be due to elevated levels of chlorine. This can be confirmed by calling your local utility company and inquiring as to whether they’re using higher concentrations of disinfectant in the water recently. A metallic taste to your water may be due to leaching of minerals into the water from the pipes. To confirm, this you would need to get professional water testing. If you notice an odor similar to rotten eggs, this suggests there could be bacteria growing in your water heater or drain. A plumber can help you correct this problem. Periodically tasting your water is a good way to screen for potential problems with water quality.

Assess the color

You should always be concerned when your water changes color. If your water takes on an orange, brown, or red discoloration, it may be caused by rust in the pipes. This is usually not a cause for alarm, although iron deposits can cause discoloration of hair. Sometimes the presence of rust can indicate a co-existing problem with lead levels which should be investigated due to the health risks of lead, particularly for small children. If your water has a blue or green tint, if may be due to corrosion from copper piping. This can pose long term health risks and should be corrected by a plumber. A dark brown discoloration suggests contamination from manganese which is not believed to put you at increased health risk. This may be cleared by flushing your pipes for several minutes.

Get your local water report

Your local water company is required by law to send you a report on your water quality on a yearly basis. This report contains in depth information on levels of each unsafe chemical known to be in your water. If you didn’t receive this or no longer have it, call your water company and ask for another copy. You may also be able to find this information on your water company’s website as well as the EPA website. Make sure you keep a copy of this report when it’s mailed out on a yearly basis so you can compare the results with previous years.

By tasting, smelling, and visually inspecting your water on a periodic basis, you can be made aware of potential changes in water quality which require further testing. This can help you to avoid the threat of toxic drinking water and help you protect the drinking water you serve you and your family from unsafe chemicals.

Does Your Drinking Water Contain These Unsafe Chemicals?

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:39:00 GMT

Water is the most essential element of life and something we all need on a daily basis. But what if the water you’re drinking on a daily basis is actually toxic drinking water? Yes, the water you use to fill your glass, add to your recipes, and spray out of your shower may actually be teaming with unsafe chemicals. So, just what’s in your drinking water? Here are the four main classes of unsafe chemicals found in drinking water:

Pesticides and industrial by products

If you did an analysis of your drinking water, you may be surprised to find it has unacceptable levels of pesticides including atrazine, a weed killer known to cause birth defects in animals as well as liver, kidney, and heart damage. In addition, you might also find by products of plastics as well as industrial products such as paint removers in the water you drink on a daily basis. Studies have shown that even trace amounts of these unsafe chemicals have adverse biological effects in animals. It doesn’t give you a great deal of confidence in your local water supply, does it?

Lead and arsenic

Arsenic may be found in particularly high concentrations if you have ground water as opposed to surface water which comes from a lake or river. Long term exposure to arsenic has been associated with a variety of cancers including cancer of the lungs, kidneys, bladder, and prostate. You probably already know the devastating consequences lead can have on brain development in children. Since lead is found in your water pipes, the best way to reduce your exposure is to flush your pipes by allowing the water to run for two minutes before using it. This should be done when your faucets haven’t been used for six hours or longer. You can also reduce your exposure by using only cold water which contains lower concentrations of lead.

Bacteria and protozoa

It’s not reassuring to know that many municipal drinking water supplies contain bacteria and protozoa derived from feces. One of the most commonly found fecal bacteria in drinking water is E.Coli. One way to kill these microorganisms is to boil your water for a minute before drinking it.

Chlorine

Chlorine is a common component found in toxic drinking water. The tap water that comes out of the faucet has been disinfected with chlorine to kill germs and bacteria that may be present in the water supply. Unfortunately, chlorine can chemically interact with organic matter in the water resulting in the production of trihalomethanes. Trihalomethanes have been associated with a variety of health risks including an increased risk of miscarriage, various forms of cancer, and damage to the major organ systems. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid it by not drinking water. A ten minute shower produced more absorption of this unsafe chemical through the skin than drinking five glasses of water. It’s not even safe to take a shower!

What can you do if you’re concerned about toxic drinking water? Have your water tested by an independent testing center and find out exactly what your water contains. Follow up by investing in a quality water filter that will filter out these contaminants. Don’t forget about adding a filter to your shower since many unsafe chemicals are absorbed through the skin. By doing this, you can sleep more comfortably at night knowing your family’s water supply is protected.

The Sulfur Eliminator Blog | North Topsail Beach, NC

3 Simple Ways to Test Your Water Quality

Does Your Drinking Water Contain These Unsafe Chemicals?