Any water coming from municipal water supplies is probably safe; regulations require water suppliers to regularly test their water for any type of contamination. However, if you notice something seems a little off with your water, there could be something contaminating the water between the supplier and your faucet. How do you know for sure whether your water is safe? There are several ways to tell.
Foul Odors
The first indication that something is wrong with your water is the taste; the second thing you’ll notice is the smell. There are some chemicals that have a very specific tell-tale smell. For example, sulfur has that distinctive rotten-egg stench, and too much chlorine can leave behind that familiar swimming pool aroma. If there is a strange foul odor, contact your water supplier and report your concerns. Most water suppliers are more than happy to test your water for contaminants. In fact, some may not even charge you for it. However, be careful not to solely rely on the smell to tell you something is wrong; many chemicals and other contaminants are colorless and odorless.
Lab Testing
If your water supplier won’t test the water, or if the test does not yield the results you expected, the next step is to have a certified lab run a test of the water. They will have a variety of options for what contaminants you want the water tested for. These will include things like fecal residue, bacteria, and pollutants.
Home Test Kits
There are several test kits that you can buy in stores and perform yourself in your home. These will not test for all the contaminants in a lab test, but it will cover the most common bases: bacteria, arsenic, pesticides, and lead. Lead can be especially harmful to your health, so this test is important if health concerns are in question.
Check Appliances For Problems
Check your running-water appliances (faucets, etc.) to make sure they are working properly. If appliances are faulty or not connected properly, contaminants have a better chance of getting into your water. Potable water is especially susceptible to this. Alberta Water Services, a company providing water supply in Calgary, recommends that any potable water tanks be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination.
Safe drinking water is imperative to the health of every living being. You are entitled to safe water; if contamination is suspected, test it as soon as possible to prevent poor health.
