Why Should We Test Our Water?

If water smells bad or looks a little hazy, then we instantly know that there is something wrong. Unfortunately, it is also very possible that what we are drinking is crystal clear, tasteless and odorless, only to find out that it can still be unsafe for us to drink or use for cooking our food.

Water is one thing that is essential to all living things. It is needed in order to survive. There are water testing test kits available for sale, which are a very good way to see if there are any substances and contaminants in our water that we just cannot detect.

Here are some of the reasons that we should regularly conduct a water test:

1. Almost 40% of the rivers in the United States fail to meet the standards of clean water. According to Clean Water Action, approximately 7 million Americans become sick every year due to tap water that is contaminated. Regular water testing conducted on the public supply will help ensure that environmental and health standards of the country's Environmental Protection Agency are met.

2. Municipal drinking water systems provide 90% of Americans with what they can drink. The law states that these supplies should regularly be tested for radioactive materials, toxic chemicals, pathogens and other contaminants. However, private water supplies are not tested. This responsibility generally lies with the property owners. If you find yourself about to purchase a home, it would be a good idea to test the water supply that can be found in the local area first.

3. A water test kit will be able to show the levels of harmful substances in the water. Harmful minerals and chemicals in what we drink can contribute to lead poisoning, heart disease and even cancer. Certain substances found in this resource can also change the taste of what we drink and what we eat.

4. If we have our water tested and find that it is below safety standards, then we can end the problem as soon as possible. By knowing that there is something wrong and that something must be done, a home purification system can be purchased in order to make the water more potable.

There are generally two ways of water testing. One way is to do it on your own by purchasing a home water test kit. You will need to get some from the tap, place it into a glass and simply follow the instructions found on the kit.

Another option is to obtain a sample from your home and take it to a local testing facility. Depending on where you live and what kind of testing facilities around you, this way of testing water could be hard.

Either way, we should make it a point to test our water on an annual basis. It doesn't matter whether we choose to test it ourselves, or if we ask a professional to do it. We must do our part to ensure that our family is drinking safe and clean water.

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