how do i check my water quality

This will depend on which chemical or mineral you are testing for. Quick In-Home Testing Without having to go too far out of your way, one of the easiest options for a hard water test is with a clear, clean, empty bottle with a cap, pure liquid soap and water right from your tap. If your pipes are above ground, look for any areas that leak or have blue and/or white sediment. PFAS in Tap Water. Yes it will. Alarm clocks for a charming start to your morning. Popular Science may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Any naturally-occuring or man-made contaminants (such as minerals and chemicals) must fall below the maximum contaminant levels as set by the EPA. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Understand what you will be testing for. If your pipes are harder to get to, look inside your toilet bowl for rust, or around the base of your toilet for blue stains. Most tap water in the United States is safe to drink. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Please recheck the URL for the proper spelling; or use our search box at the top of this page to find what you're looking for. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. If a kit contains only a single kind of strip, it will likely be for testing pH only. You can test the quality of the water in your home by purchasing and using a home test kit, by engaging your senses, or by procuring a Water Quality Report for your area. The quality of water depends primarily on the concentration of bacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrites/nitrates, chlorine, hardness, and the water's pH. If you believe there is something wrong with your water, stop drinking it immediately. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Most people on municipal water who pay their own bill should receive an annual water quality report called a CCR, or Consumer Confidence Report. The quality of water we use can be determined in any number of ways, but the best is testing. A small concentration of chlorine in your water will ensure that there is no harmful microbial life present. % of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Handheld vacuums for smaller homes and tighter corners, Digital coffee scales for barista-level precision, Great portable speakers for your next outdoor party, Three headlamps that won’t leave you in the dark, The best Black Friday deals 2020: The best deals and sales at Samsung, Best Buy, Walmart, and more. View the CDC’s guide to Understanding Consumer Confidence Reports 2. References If any of the results are hazardous, perform the test one more time to make sure you didn’t make a mistake before contacting your local municipality. If there is a distinct lack of fluffy bubbles and the water appears cloudy and/or milky, your water is hard. wikiHow's. The pictures were very helpful to see the action required and, "Water is the most essential substance for life! Last Updated: May 5, 2020 pH values below 7 are acidic, around 7 is neutral, and above 7 is alkaline (base). Get laser hair removal for a fraction of the price with this handset. My silver anklet changes color when I spend too long at the beach. By using our site, you agree to our. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. What should be the ppm range of the test strips? Musty or earthy smell – This smell is likely the result of organic matter decaying. Their pH should also be around the same as water. ", http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.cfm?number=C1016, http://www.waterlogic.com/en-us/resources/water-problems/why-does-my-water-taste-like-metal/, http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2016/03/five-reasons-your-tap-water-changed-color, http://support.cleanwaterstore.com/blog/checking-your-pipes-for-corrosion-and-scale-build-up/, http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyourwater/IL/Island-Lake/0974540/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Every community water supplier must provide an annual report, sometimes called a Consumer Confidence Report, or “CCR,” to its customers. If he or she feels it's appropriate, then you should be able to use it for a science fair project. ", "Explanations were so simple, understandable and reliable for all. Great news for savvy shoppers. Once again, this could either be inside your drain or in the water itself. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. ", "I loved how there is a way to test our tap water from the comfort of our home. Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Federal Reporting Services. Rotten-egg smell – This sulfurous smell usually indicates a growth of bacteria. follow correctly. Although this smell may be bothersome, it is most likely harmless. Ensuring that your water does not contain harmful levels of bacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrites/nitrates, chlorine, or hardness, and maintains an appropriate pH is crucial for good health. If the water still smells strongly of rotten egg (and if this occurs with both hot and cold water), contact your local municipality. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Test-Water-Quality-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-Water-Quality-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Test-Water-Quality-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1364334-v4-728px-Test-Water-Quality-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"