We live in an age where bottled water is sold everywhere, and many people have become suspicious of drinking from the tap at home. Since home water costs significantly less than bottled water, the question arises whether tap water is not good to drink and whether it presents any real health risks or not. The most common contaminants that can be found in water are mercury, copper, bacteria, various chemicals such as disinfectants, fertilizers and drug residues. This article illustrates three methods to find out if tap water is safe to drink: with a purchased test kit, referring to the tests published by the supplier company, or by contacting a specialized laboratory.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Do It Yourself Test
Step 1. Fill a glass tumbler with tap water
Step 2. Hold the glass up to the light and look at the liquid
Is it transparent or cloudy? Do you see suspended particles or deposits on the bottom? If the liquid is not perfectly clear and free from any other element, you may be dealing with water contaminated with bacteria or other.
Step 3. Smell the water
If it smells of rotten eggs, smells of swimming pool, nail polish remover, or other unpleasant odors, this could be indicative of a high concentration of chlorine, organic solvents or the presence of sulfur, even of natural origin.
Step 4. Purchase a water purity assessment kit
This can be bought on the net or in hardware and home improvement stores. The kit usually detects the presence of chlorine, nitrates, nitrites and various minerals such as iron, copper and lead, as well as the hardness of the water or the content of limestone. The result is certainly more precise than the preliminary test against the light.
- Test kits of this type cost around 30 euros.
- Test kits are not difficult to interpret. The test is practiced by inserting strips inside the liquid. The kit is supplied with parameters or indications to read the result, which provides data on the presence and concentration of the various dangerous elements. Based on the results, purchase a filter to install on your faucet, or speak to an expert for information on other purification methods.
Method 2 of 3: Find the Analyzes Published by the Water Operator
Step 1. Contact your supplier and ask how to obtain the results of the analyzes that are carried out by law on a regular basis on the water introduced into the network
- The law provides for daily and periodic analyzes of water quality, and these should be available to users freely or on request.
- Contact your supplier for more information on this.
Step 2. Once you have a copy of the analyzes, look for values that indicate water quality problems
To find out which values are normal and which may be out of the ordinary, read the notes attached to the analyzes or get help from a friend who is an expert in chemistry. Then ask for details in case there are indications of dangerous contaminants
Method 3 of 3: Have the Water Analyzed by a Professional Lab
Step 1. Find laboratories in your area that can perform specific tests
The laboratories are accredited with the local health unit.
Step 2. Bring one or more water samples to analyze
Follow any laboratory instructions on how to collect and transport samples, to avoid providing samples that are contaminated or compromised for any reason.
Step 3. Take the samples to the laboratory
Based on the results, purchase a filter to install on your faucet, or speak to an expert for information on other purification methods
Advice
- In many cases, water analyzes are free.
- Attend public gatherings and other occasions to keep the focus on water quality in your area.
- help keep the environment clean by properly disposing of used oil, minimizing the use of pesticides, and generally not contaminating water with chemicals. Do not dispose of medicines by throwing them down the drain.
Warnings
- Evaluate the water before drinking if you move to a new area.
- If you take water from a well, you will not have the analysis of the aqueduct available, and therefore you can contact a laboratory or carry out tests independently.
- Visual analysis and ready-made kits do not guarantee complete and comprehensive results, which can only be provided by a laboratory.
- However, the laboratory takes longer to provide results, while the home kit gives immediate results.
