You may not have thought much about the query “Should My Plains, VA, Home Water Be Tested?” until now. This is because many households here rely on city water for their everyday necessities. Since the city people are in charge of distributing this water, you are obliged to believe that nothing can go bad with the safety and quality of the water you receive at home.
Even though city authorities promise the safety of the water they provide, their definition of safety may vary substantially from yours. “Safe drinking water,” according to them, is water that will not kill you if you drink it. You will be disappointed if you expect to receive the water of excellent quality and contaminant-free.
Consider what occurred in Flint, Michigan, if you don’t believe what we just told you because that incident is ample proof that Flint’s public water sources do not meet the necessary safety standards.
While Flint’s predicament has gotten national attention, the truth is that other nearby cities are also experiencing problems with their drinking water. According to the EPA, numerous municipalities around the nation have excessive lead levels in their public water, comparable to those reported in Flint.
The disregard for such harmful contaminants is reason enough to doubt local governments’ assertions of “safe drinking water.” Even though some authorities are diligent in their job, we believe that putting your loved one’s health at risk by depending completely on them is sheer folly.
If you want to avoid accepting fake claims and acquire trustworthy guarantees of your safety, it is best to have your drinking water tested once a year. Then, every year, compare the findings to see whether the mineral composition of your tap water has evolved considerably.
Given the many reports of water emergencies, it’s worth asking, “Should My Plains, VA, Home Water Be Tested?” As one of the most recognized water testing organizations in Plains, Virginia, we would like to inform you that it is necessary to do so. We would also like to inform you that we perform various tests to verify whether the tap water you receive at home is fit for human consumption.
These services are essentially classified into two categories: water safety testing and water quality testing. If you’re unsure about these two services, the explanation below should help.
Home Water Testing Plains, VA? – Water Quality Assessments
Do you detect a difference in the taste of the water when you go from one location to another? This is because different areas get water of differing quality. So the only way to ensure your water is safe is to do frequent water testing.
We test tap water for a variety of minerals, including:
Iron – The reddish brown rings that form around sinks and toilets are the most visible signs when tap water has a high iron level. This test will tell you if the iron level in your municipal water supply is the main issue.
Manganese – Water with high manganese content, like iron, taints surfaces it frequently contacts, such as bathtubs and showers. These marks are often darker when opposed to iron. This easy test will detect abnormally elevated levels of manganese in your tap water.
Sulfates – Do you dislike the odor of your tap water? Does it remind you of rotten eggs? In that case, your water is contaminated by sulfates. We can say this with authority because we know that sulfates have an unpleasant odor, similar to rotten eggs. This test will confirm or deny your suspicions if you suspect sulfur in your water source.
pH – For tap water, the ideal pH range is 6.5 to 8.5. Anything higher or lower than that damages your pipes while also being detrimental to your health. This is why we recommend you check the pH of your drinking water since it might indicate the presence of harmful metals in the water.
Water hardness – The hardness of water is to blame if your detergent does not lather correctly or if your water causes yellowish stains. Hard water may cause dry, itchy skin and a harsh, scaly residue on surfaces. In such cases, you should test the hardness of the water.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – Minerals beneficial to your health are dissolved in specific types of tap water. However, if these minerals are ingested excessively, they may have harmful implications. With this test, you can adjust the water quality by understanding which minerals are dissolved and in what quantities.
Water Safety Assessments
Even if the water satisfies quality standards, it may not be safe to drink. Other factors, such as bacteria and other microorganisms, are to blame in these situations. Using the tests below, we can determine how safe tap water is.
Lead – high lead contamination in the city’s water supply caused Flint, Michigan’s water crisis. In other words, the bulk of the city’s dwellings was supplied with dissolved lead-contaminated river water, which caused the water issue.
Always remember that having excessive levels of lead in your tap water may harm your health and the health of those in your household. This easy test may be used to check for lead levels in your water source.
Nitrate – The most significant source of nitrate in water is chemical fertilizers used in agriculture. If you live near farms or rural areas, we highly recommend you get your drinking water tested for excessive nitrate levels.
Total Coliform Bacteria – A high amount of coliform bacteria in water indicates the presence of other pathogens linked to diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid. Typically, people disregard these symptoms as a one-time occurrence and do not believe their drinking water is to blame. They only comprehend the truth when many household members get sick.
If you keep becoming sick and doctor visits don’t help, please understand that it might be due to consuming contaminated water. A total coliform bacteria test may help determine if waterborne pathogens are to blame for your sickness.
The answer to the question, “Should My Plains, VA, Home Water Be Tested?” becomes clearer now that you understand how harmful contaminated water may be.
The results will ensure that you and your family only drink high-quality water devoid of potentially harmful minerals and microorganisms. If you want to have your tap water examined, follow these procedures to collect samples for testing correctly.
- Collect the water sample in the provided containers.
- Keep in mind that dirty sample containers may contaminate the sample. In such circumstances, please notify us at the earliest, and we will send you a new container.
- As the next step, take out the aerator screen from the faucet or tap.
- External pollutants in your faucet or pipe may skew the test results. As a result, you must wipe the faucet with an isopropyl alcohol-soaked towel before collecting samples.
- Let the water run for a few minutes before collecting the sample.
- Fill the container to the mark without touching the interior surface.
- Make sure that the container’s cap is securely secured.
- Please write your name on the top of the container and place it in the refrigerator.
- Deliver the sample to our lab or any of our sample collection spots.
Many individuals do not believe that testing one’s drinking water is necessary. However, as more water crises develop around the United States, more people are considering getting their tap water analyzed. Always remember that it is best to examine the safety of the water ahead of time for the sake of your family’s safety than to regret it when a significant health concern emerges.
Joiner Micro Labs are one of your area’s most reliable and experienced water testing laboratories. We would be happy if you let us know your concerns if you want to get your tap water tested but are unsure which tests are required. Our experts will provide specific test suggestions based on your water issues.
After reading this information, if you still ponder over the query, “Should My Plains, VA, Home Water Be Tested?” we suggest you use the contact form on our website so that we can answer the doubts still lingering in your mind. We will contact you as soon as possible to address your concerns and collaborate with you to ensure that you and your family are drinking only the cleanest, most contaminant-free water possible.