How do you know if the water coming out of your faucet is safe?  You’ve heard stories about contaminated water with bacteria, lead, and other pollutants.   However, there is a wealth of information from verified organizations you can access to educate yourself and find resolutions to the water issues you face.  It’s a matter of knowing where to research to find what is in your home’s water.

• If your home is on city water, your supplier must test the water regularly by law.  They are also required to provide each homeowner a Consumer Confidence Report before July 1^st every year.  It’s an annual water report detailing any contaminants found in the water, what level they tested, and the health risks they pose for your family.  A homeowner can always go to the water supplier’s website or contact your water supplier directly and request a CCR Report.

• Contact a local water professional in your area and have them test your water at your ho     The Water Quality Association (WQA) is a great resource to find local water professionals in your area.  Most water professionals will test on-site for hardness, iron, total dissolved solids, chlorine, or hydrogen sulfide.  However, if extensive testing is required for contaminants such as lead or arsenic, then reach out to a certified lab in your area.

• If your home’s water is supplied through a private well, then you will have to do some additional research.  Unfortunately, testing water for private wells is not required and is left to the homeowner to hand.  It is best to contact your local water professional or have your water tested at a certified lab in your area.

• Once you have your water test results, you can do your research.  The WQA and EPA are great consumer resources to find information about specific contaminants in water.     Another resource is the EPA list of water contaminants.  Make sure a reputable organization or company verifies the information you seek.  There is a lot of misinformation.  Again, don’t hesitate to contact or call your local water professional to discuss issues that pertain to your water.  Not all water is the same, and not every area deals with the same water issues, so contacting your water professional is sometimes your best option.