Water Testing

Q. My water is from a municipal (city) water source, do I need to have my water analyzed?
A. Generally, no. All city water in the United States and most developed countries must meet very strict guidelines for potabilty and can be considered safe to drink in most cases. Most of the problems our clients see on city water, are related to corroded piping or aging distribution systems, calcium hardness, corrosion problems within the home, or aesthetic problems such as bad tastes or odors. However, it is still very useful to know what your water chemistry is like, especially if you are planning on installing a water treatment system or purifier, and you can usually get a water analysis report for free from your local water utility.

Q. My water source is from my own private well, what should I test my water for?
A. If you are in an area where there is little chance of industrial pollution, then a general mineral analysis and coliform bacteria analysis would be a good place to start. If you are in an agricultural or industrial area, then organic compounds, pesticides and herbicides should be checked.Your local water testing lab can provide this service, or you can order a WaterCheck test kit.

Q. I think my water is fine, and I don't drink it anyway, I am mainly concerned about staining of fixtures, what test should I get?
A. Even though we sell individual test kits, if you are planning on purchasing a water treatment system to eliminate staining, odors or corrosion, you should still start with a complete water analysis, such as from WaterCheck or another certified laboratory, since the total water chemistry must be taken into account in selecting your system.

Q. Sounds complicated... since I have rust stains and I know I have high iron, can't I just get an iron filter and test for iron only?
A. Generally, no. For instance, different types of iron filters do not work well if the pH of the water is less than 7.0 (acidic), or if there is manganese present also. Getting a water analysis first, allows one to select the proper system for the application.

Q. Are there any tests that I should do myself?
A. Yes! One very important test to do yourself, if you are on your own private well, and are planning on installing a whole house treatment system is pH. In many cases, if you send your water away for a complete analysis, or take it to a lab for analysis, the pH in the sample will rise, giving you a false pH reading. It is best to do a quick on-site pH test with a pH strip, to get an approximate idea of the pH of the water directly from the source.

Q. I get my water from a spring (creek, lake or river) and the water is exposed to surface water run-off, what type of test should I get?
A. You should get a complete general mineral, metals, and pesticide/herbicide test, such as that from WaterCheck. Surface water can change quickly, so testing will only tell you what the source is like the day you test it.

Q. I want safe water to drink, but I don't want to test the water, or, it is impractical or impossible for me to get a sample of the water, before I need my purifier, what should I do?
A. For safe drinking water under practically any circumstance, you could use a distiller, which would provide you with safe drinking water no matter what the source, or bottled water from a reputable bottler..