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What Can Be Detected Through Water Quality Testing?

Water quality testing measures include certain chemicals and mineral levels as well as detecting the presence of contaminants. The contaminants that water quality testing can detect include:

Water quality testing also measures the level of nitrates and phosphates, all to determine if the water is safe for consumption and for agricultural, swimming, and other recreational purposes. use.

The Benefits of Water Quality Testing

Have you been asked about performing water quality testing in your home or business? You’re probably wondering if it is a scam and you may have asked, “ What is the purpose of water quality testing?” Well, there are several purposes to having water quality testing performed.

This is a key activity of water quality testing that will characterize the quality of your home or business environment and establishes a benchmark prior to any possible environmental disturbance or after a hazardous accent or event that could threaten the local ecosystem. These hazardous accents or events would refer to an oil spill, a major fire, or storm damage that could affect the water supply.

Water quality testing measures include certain chemicals and mineral levels as well as detecting the presence of contaminants. The contaminants that water quality testing can detect include:

Here is a website that includes all of the contaminants in your local water system. Simply type in your zip code and see what it is in your water. https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/

What Types of Water Quality Tests are Available?

There are three parameters in water quality testing:

Testing Strip

You can do your own water quality testing using test strips that are available at various locations and online. These testing strips detect if certain chemicals are present in your water indicated by changing color. After the time stated in the directions, you compare the color of the testing strip to the supplied chart. This will tell you what specific chemical concentrations are in your water like chlorine and pH balance. Water quality testing strips are inexpensive but not the more accurate in determining if your water is safe.

Test Kit

Disk kits, also referred to as drop water quality testing kits can determine the concentration of certain chemicals in the water. The process of this type of testing is to use a plastic tube to gather a sample of water. Then either drops or a powder are added to the tube and after an allotted time as stated in the directions, the water will change color. As with the water quality testing strips, depending on the elements detected in the water, the color changes and you then compare it to the color disk provided. This type of water quality testing is more technical but provides better test results than the testing strips about the chemical and microbiological elements detected in your water.

Digital Instrument

You can purchase a handheld digital water quality testing instrument that provides accurate results. This is a more expensive method compared to the first two methods we’ve listed and requires training to use properly. This also requires calibration to ensure you’re getting the most accurate results.This will tell you what specific chemical concentrations are in your water like chlorine and pH balance. Water quality testing strips are inexpensive but not the more accurate in determining if your water is safe.

Professional Water Quality Testing Lab

If the water quality is a major concern for you, this will be the most thorough analysis, because it is performed by trained professionals with professional equipment.As with the water quality testing strips, depending on the elements detected in the water, the color changes and you then compare it to the color disk provided. This type of water quality testing is more technical but provides better test results than the testing strips about the chemical and microbiological elements detected in your water.

What Contaminants are Typically Tested for in Water Quality Tests?

It is important to check with the local environmental or health agency for what contaminants are possible in your area. Water quality testing can find if the following are detected so that you know what steps should be taken next:

Arsenic

Mercury

Atrazine

Pesticides and more

Lead

How Often Should Water Quality Tests be Performed?

If you’re on city water, the water should be getting tested by them. However, you can purchase any of the water quality testing setups we mentioned above. If you’re on well water, you should perform water quality testing every spring for the following:

Coliform Bacteria

Total Dissolved Solids,

Nitrates

And Other Contaminants

pH Levels

How Can Water Quality Testing Help Protect Public Health?

When there are certain contaminants present in the water, they could be hazardous to the public’s health issues. What are the potential risks of not testing water quality? Among other things, the public could be at risk of gastrointestinal illness, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems. The risks are higher for the elderly and young children.

These are just some of the reasons that the federal government has stepped in and required municipalities and water suppliers to perform water quality testing on a regular basis. When you’re not sure your water has been tested but want to test the source of your water, we will be happy to assist.  

Water Purity

MICROBES

Various organic contaminants like algae, mold, bacteria, viruses and cysts can contaminate drinking water post treatment, and be unpleasant or harmful when consumed.

SYNTHETICS

Man made pharmaceutical and industrial compounds have been found in drinking water supplies and have proven challenging for conventional water treatment technologies.

CONTAMINANTS

Protect your family from harmful chemicals like lead, mercury, asbestos, arsenic, and pfos/pfas. Get clean, safe water for drinking, cooking, coffee/tea, and baby formula. No need to haul wasteful plastic bottles from store.

Hard Water

Prevent build-up of film on tubs, sinks, faucets, and wall tiles. Eliminate water spots on glassware and dishes. Use less household soap and cleaners. Ease skin ailments such as itching and irritation. Have softer skin and hair.

Chlorine

Does your water smell or taste like chlorine? Municipal water plants use chlorine to treat your water supply. Remove unpleasant chlorine before it comes into affects your family through bathing, cooking, washing and drinking.

Scale Buildup

Extend the life of your appliances like dishwashers, water heaters and clothes washers by reducing the build-up of scale in heating elements and pipes. Simultaneously reduce white-crusty deposits on fixtures around the house.

NITRATES

Nitrate is a naturally occuring form of nitrogen, essential for plant growth. It is often used as a fertilizer, but can be hamful to human and animal health.

LOW PH

Low PH drinking water is acidic and may have a harsh, metalic taste. it could also create bluish-green stains on fixtures.

H₂S

Hydrogen Sulphide is a colorless gas with a stong odor of rotten eggs. When found in water it is typocally the product of the bacterial breakdown of organic materials as well as human and animal waste.

Water Report For Dallas Texas

Arsenic

74x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 0.297 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.004 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Bromate

12x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 1.23 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.1 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT 10 ppb

Bromochloroacetic acid

178x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 3.56 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.02 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Bromodichloromethane

86x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 5.17 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.06 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Chloroform

16x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 6.45 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.4 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Chromium (hexavalent)

14x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY  0.275 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.02 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Dibromoacetic acid

26x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 1.03 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.04 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Dibromochloromethane

32x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 3.23 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.1 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Dichloroacetic acid

38x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 7.55 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.2 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†

114x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 11.4 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.1 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT 60 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†

181x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 10.9 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.06 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Nitrate

4.6x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 0.641 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.14 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT 10 ppm

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†

103x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 15.5 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.14 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT 80 ppb

Trichloroacetic acid

13x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 1.31 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.1 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Trichloroacetic acid

13x

EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY 1.31 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE 0.1 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT NO

Arsenic

Potential Effect: cancer74xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY0.297 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.004 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Bromate

Potential Effect: cancer12xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY1.23 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT10 ppb

DETAILS

Bromochloroacetic acid

Potential Effect:178xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY3.56 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Bromodichloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer86xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY5.17 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Chloroform

Potential Effect: cancer16xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY6.45 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.4 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Chromium (hexavalent)

Potential Effect: cancer14xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY0.275 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Dibromoacetic acid

Potential Effect:26xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY1.03 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.04 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Dibromochloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer32xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY3.23 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Dichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer38xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY7.55 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.2 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†

Potential Effect: cancer114xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY11.4 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT60 ppb

DETAILS

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†

Potential Effect: cancer181xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY10.9 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

Nitrate

Potential Effect: cancer4.6xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY0.641 ppm

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.14 ppm

LEGAL LIMIT10 ppm

DETAILS

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†

Potential Effect: cancer103xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY15.5 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.15 ppb

LEGAL LIMIT80 ppb

DETAILS

Trichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer13xEWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE

THIS UTILITY1.31 ppb

EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

DETAILS

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