Michigan
State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500633
06/24/03
Why Test?
Water absorbs dissolved minerals, organic compounds and organisms as it
moves through the air and soil into surface and ground water supplies.
Unacceptable materials may find their way into the water due to some of
our activities.
Public water systems are required to regular test and treat water for
certain contaminants according to the rules and regulations set by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water
Act. Testing your water from a public system could indicate problems in
your home's plumbing, connections or treatment system.
Most private systems are in rural or suburban areas. Private well
owners are responsible for monitoring the quality of their water.
Testing for possible contaminants on a regular schedule is the only way
to be certain your water supply is safe.
Occasional problems do occur in the state's water supplies. Nuisance
problems generally do not present a health risk, but the water may not
be acceptable for all household activities. The most common nuisance
problems are objectionable taste, odor, color and hardness. Once
properly identified, these problems can often be corrected with water
treatment systems.
Testing for every possible contaminant is unnecessary and expensive.
This will help you identify the tests you need for your water supply.
Testing confirms a problem exists so appropriate treatment can be
recommended and you do not purchase expensive, unnecessary treatment
systems.
Which Tests?
Your first concern is to provide your family with a safe source of
water. Private well-owners should test for total coliform bacteria and
nitrate. The presence or absence of bacteria or nitrate often indicates
the safety of your water supply. Testing must be done to detect these
contaminants since both are typically invisible, odorless and
tasteless.
Coliform bacteria are found in the digestive tract of all birds and
mammals. Most coliform bacteria are not harmful themselves, but point
to an unsanitary condition and possible presence of disease causing
agents. In some cases the bacteria are found in the pipes or well and
not the water supply itself.
Sources of nitrate include food, water and soil. High levels of nitrate
in the water supply can cause infant cyanosis (blue baby) in children
under six months. Chronic, long-term risks are not known at this time.
Like coliform bacteria, the presence of nitrate indicates the
possibility other contaminants.
The following table lists problems found in water supplies and the
appropriate tests to request. You should review your particular
concerns with your county Health Department, Cooperative Extension
office or water testing lab when selecting the appropriate tests.
| Problem or
Concern |
Test
Appearance: |
|
| Frothy,
Foamy Detergents |
Black flakes |
Manganese |
|
Brown or
Yellow |
Iron, Tannic
Acid |
| Stains on
fixtures or clothing: |
Red or Brown |
Iron |
|
Black |
Manganese |
|
Green or Blue |
Copper |
| Odor or
Taste: |
Bitter |
Nitrate,
Sulfates |
|
Rotten Egg |
Hydrogen Sulfide |
|
Metallic
|
pH,
Iron, Zinc, Copper, Lead |
|
Salty
|
Total
Dissolved Solids, Chloride,
Sodium |
|
Septic,
Musty, Earthy |
Total
Coliform Bacteria,Iron |
|
Soapy
|
Detergents
(Surfactants) |
|
Gasoline or
Oil |
Hydrocarbon
Scan,Aromatic Volatile Organic Chemicals |
|
White
deposits on
pots and fixtures,
soap scum |
Hardness
|
|
Discoloration
of children's teeth |
Fluoride
|
|
Family or
guests become ill |
Total
Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate, Sulfates |
|
Water supply
used for
infant less than six
months old |
Nitrate
|
|
Corrosion of
plumbing |
Corrosivity,
pH, Lead, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper Sulfates,Chloride |
| If You
Suspect or Observe |
Test
Contamination from: |
| Old lead
pipe or solder |
Lead,
Copper, pH, Zinc |
| Leaking fuel
tank |
Hydrocarbon
Scan, Aromatic Volatile Organic Chemicals |
| Coal mining |
Total
Dissolved Solids,Iron, Sulfates, pH, Corrosion Index, Manganese,
Aluminum,Arsenic, Selenium |
| Gas and oil
drilling |
Total
Dissolved Solids, Chloride, Sodium, Barium,Lead, pH, Corrosion Index,
Strontium, Volatile
Organic Scan |
| Landfill |
Total
Dissolved Solids, pH, Volatile Organic Scan, Heavy Metal Scan |
| Septic
systems |
Total
Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate, Detergents, Total Dissolved Solids,
Chloride, Sodium, Sulfates |
| Land
application of sludge |
Total
Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate, Metals (Lead, Cadmium) |
| Intensive
agriculture |
Total
Coliform practices Bacteria, Nitrate, Pesticide Scan, pH, Total
Dissolved Solids |
| Livestock
feedlots |
Total
Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Organic
Carbons |
| Road salt |
Total
Dissolved Solids, Chloride, Sodium |
When To Test
Private wells should be tested yearly for coliform bacteria, nitrate,
hardness and pH. Tests for iron, sulfates and chloride should be done
every three to five years. If you are expecting a baby in your home you
should test for nitrate at the beginning of the pregnancy. Depending on
the test results, you may wish to test again before bringing the baby
home and during the baby's first six months.
Even if you have a public water supply your water should be tested for
total coliform bacteria if you make any changes in your plumbing or
water treatment system which could introduce a contaminant. Before
buying a new house have the water tested for bacteria and nitrate to
insure its quality. Lending agencies often require the bacteria test
before approving a loan.
If you have an old or shallow well, it is especially important to test
your water regularly. Older methods of well construction, and the
well's location in relation to septic or livestock facilities on many
farms, makes older and shallow wells prone to contamination.
You should test for bacteria if your well head becomes flooded or
submerged. Following a chemical spill or leak within 500 feet of your
well, test your water for possible contamination. Also test your water
supply if your neighbors have found contamination. Report unknown
contamination or objectionable taste, odor or color in a private well
to: Department of Public Health.
Testing
Discuss your water problems with your county Health Department or water
testing lab. After contacting the lab your next step will be to take
the sample. Follow the instructions from the lab closely. Keep a record
of the test results. The records will show any change in your water
quality you may not have noticed. Records are also necessary if you
need to prove an outside activity, such as a spill or leak, affected
your water supply.
Home screening tests
Currently on the market are screening tests to conduct various water
tests in your home, such as tests for hardness, iron or nitrate. Many
public agencies also conduct screening programs as a public service.
Keep in mind these tests are a simplified version of the tests
conducted by a lab. The results do not indicate if your water is safe
to drink, only whether your sample contains the tested contaminant and
the approximate level. These screening tests serve as useful tools for
indicating if further testing is needed. If the results are positive,
you should follow up with a test from a lab.
For Further Information: For further information on water testing or
suspected contamination in your area, contact your local Health
Department or county Cooperative Extension office.
References
This information comes from Purdue Extension bulletin WQ4, Why Test
Your Water?
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