Drinking water is a vital part of our lives, and yet we don’t often think about it. We just turn on the tap, fill up a glass and enjoy!
But what if that water contained harmful contaminants? What if you had no idea that anything was wrong until it was too late? Fortunately, there are ways to find out whether your drinking water is safe (or not).
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Tips for identifying contaminated tap water |
| Strategies for checking the quality of your local drinking water supply |
| Information on common tap water contaminants |
| Frequency guidelines for testing your tap water |
| Steps to take if your tap water is contaminated |
Call Your Water Supplier
If you’re concerned about potential contaminants in your tap water, the first thing to do is contact your local water supplier. They’ll be able to tell you whether or not they test for lead and other types of contamination, as well as what their results have been and how often they test.
The next step is to find out what the acceptable levels are for these contaminants in your region. The EPA sets guidelines for acceptable limits on many different contaminants in drinking water (including lead), but these vary by locale due to differences in geology and other factors that influence how much of a particular contaminant comes from natural sources versus human activity.
Finally, if levels are too high for example, if more than 15% of homes tested show high lead levels then there will probably be plans underway at some point soon to correct the problem.
This may involve replacing old pipes or taking other actions depending on how deep-seated the issue is; but whichever action they take will give you some peace of mind knowing that it’s being fixed!
Need to make sure you’re drinking clean water? Take a look at our article to learn more about the dangers of impure water and how you can keep yourself safe.
Observe The Color And Smell Of The Water
Observe the color and smell of the water. A change in the color or smell of your water can indicate contamination. For example, iron, manganese and bacteria often cause discoloration.
The presence of chlorine, sulfur or hydrogen sulfide may cause a change in odor. If you notice any changes with either your tap water’s appearance or smell, call your local water supplier immediately to inquire about possible contamination issues within their system that could be impacting your drinking source.
Water Observation Indicators
| Observation Indicator | Possible Causes |
|---|---|
| Cloudy or Murky Water | Presence of sediment, dirt, or sand. A sign that the water hasn’t been filtered properly |
| Blue or Green Water | Presence of copper levels in water or plumbing system. May cause health problems over time. |
| Foul Odor | Presence of heavy metals like iron or copper, sulfur bacteria, high organic matter, or contamination by sewage or industrial waste |
| Rotten Egg Smell | Presence of sulfur in your water or from impurities in the plumbing system. It can be dangerous to drink |
| Metallic/Oily/Tar-like Taste or Smell | Presence of chemicals like pesticides, petroleum, surfactants, or other organic compounds. It can cause severe health problems |
| Black Stains or Residue | Presence of manganese or other minerals that are not harmful but leave a stain. It can clog pipes |
Note: The above table only provides potential causes and is not a definitive list. If you are concerned about your tap water, it is recommended to get it tested by a professional laboratory.
Test It With A Home Testing Kit
If you’re not sure whether your water is clean, a home testing kit can give you peace of mind. These kits are available at most hardware stores and they’re easy to use: just follow the directions on the package!
They can detect a wide range of contaminants in both water and soil, including bacteria, viruses like hepatitis A and E. coli O157:H7 (the culprit behind foodborne illnesses), pesticides and herbicides.
Home testing kits are also relatively inexpensive; some cost less than $20 per test.
Worried about the contaminants in tap water? Check out our article to learn about the top 10 most common contaminants found in tap water and what you can do to keep yourself protected.
Test It With A Professional Lab
Test for bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. To test your water for the presence of bacteria and viruses, you’ll need to send samples to a professional lab.
The EPA provides recommendations on how to collect samples and where to send them for testing. You can also find out what types of contaminants are most likely in your area by searching online or contacting local government agencies.
Test for pH level. The pH level is a measure of acidity or alkalinity; it’s important because it helps determine whether the water is corrosive enough to erode pipes or fixtures over time (which can lead to leaks).
Most tap water has a neutral pH between 6 and 8 but some types may be too acidic or too alkaline it depends on what the source was like when it last rained down on earth’s surface before making its way into your faucet.
Test for nitrates (fertilizer residue). Nitrate is commonly found near farms where fertilizers have been used heavily on crops like corn fields.
Test for lead (often from old pipes), arsenic (found naturally at high concentrations), fluoride (tooth decay prevention agent), iron bacteria colonies that grow inside plumbing fixtures if not properly cleaned regularly
Professional Water Testing Services
| Company Name | Description |
|---|---|
| ALS Global | Offers a wide range of water testing services including drinking water, wastewater, and environmental testing. With over 400 laboratories in over 50 countries, ALS Global provides comprehensive testing services worldwide |
| Eurofins | Specializes in testing for contaminants in drinking water, including microbiological, organic, and inorganic contaminants. Eurofins has over 800 laboratories in 47 countries |
| NSF International | Provides a range of water testing services for both residential and commercial properties, including well water testing, product certification, and water treatment services. NSF International has been a trusted source for public health and safety for over 70 years |
| Water Research Center | Offers a wide range of water testing services including bacterial testing, heavy metals testing, and a variety of other inorganic and organic contaminants. The center provides affordable and reliable water testing services for homeowners, businesses, and public organizations |
| AquaKnow | Provide customers with water testing solutions, including testing for microbiological, chemical, radiological, and other contaminants. They also provide customized solutions for specific water problems, including well drilling, well repair, and water systems installation |
Note: It is highly recommended to seek out an accredited laboratory for water testing, and to check if the laboratory is certified by agencies such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
Look For Epa Information On Your Local System
If you want to know whether your local water system is contaminated, call the EPA. They will be able to tell you if there are any known or suspected contamination issues in your area.
There may also be information on the EPA’s website about local water systems and their compliance with federal drinking water regulations. You can search for this information by entering your zip code into the search bar of their website (https://www.epa.gov/). The results will show a variety of information that could indicate a potential issue:
- A site may have been placed on a list due to an emergency situation such as flood damage or industrial pollution;
- Sites might have been added due to concerns over lead levels; these sites are not necessarily contaminated but need more monitoring due to high lead levels detected during testing; and
- Some sites are listed as “under review” because they haven’t yet completed required testing within three years from when they became subject to regulation under TTHM/HAA5 rulemaking in 2013.
If you’re heading out for an outdoor adventure, make sure you know how to purify water in the wilderness. Read our article to learn about different methods and what you’ll need to know to stay hydrated.
Check For Lead Contamination
Lead is a toxic metal, and it can be found in drinking water that isn’t treated to remove it. In fact, lead pipes are still used for some kinds of plumbing in homes built before 1986.
Even if you have newer plumbing, your water could still contain lead from the old pipes connecting your home to the city’s main lines.
Lead is also commonly found in paint and other building materials used before 1978 and in certain plumbing fixtures or equipment that were installed before 1987.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t require testing of tap water unless there’s reason to believe there might be contamination for example because you live in an old building with lead service lines or pipes but if you’re curious about whether there are elevated levels of lead in your drinking water at home or school, there are ways you can check for yourself without having to contact anyone else first:
Lead Testing Kits and Services
| Product/Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit | This test kit detects lead in drinking water as well as other contaminants such as bacteria, pesticides, and more. The results are available in just 10 minutes, making it a quick and easy way to check for lead contamination in your tap water |
| Lead Inspector Lead Test Kit | This test kit detects the presence of lead in any surface or materials, including drinking water. It’s a quick and accurate way to test for lead in your home environment with easy to follow instructions |
| Pro-Lab Lead In Water Test Kit | This EPA approved test kit comes complete with two vials to test for lead in drinking water and gives you result in few minutes. It is easy to use and provides accurate results |
| Environmental Testing and Research Laboratories offers a comprehensive water testing | ETR Labs has been testing for lead in drinking water for over thirty years. The test comes complete with bottles, sampling instructions, and prepaid shipping label to send your samples back for testing |
| National Testing Laboratories | In addition to testing kits, National Testing Laboratories offers a range of water testing solutions, including testing for lead in water. They offer competitive pricing, quick turnaround times, and reliable results for professional testing services |
Note: The above list is not exhaustive, other water testing kits and services are available in the market. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow any recommended safety measures when using these kits.
Use An Online Database
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive list of contaminants, the Environmental Protection Agency has a database that tracks the results of water quality tests in every state.
It’s not as easy to use as the EWG’s database, but it can give you detailed information on what’s in your tap water and what it means.
The EPA also has an online tool called Tap Water Quality Reporting that allows water utilities to report their results online.
From there, users can search by city or county and see all the test results for both total coliforms and E. coli bacteria within each area over time (some states only allow utilities to post their most recent data).
If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, try another resource: The Environmental Working Group maintains its own database with much more extensive information about contaminants found nationwide though it’s not currently updated as frequently as other sources like EWG’s Healthy Cleaning Guide or Tap Scorecard reports from utility companies themselves.
Looking for the ultimate guide on choosing the best water purification system? Check out our post for all the information you need to choose the best system for your needs.
Consider A Free Test From An Organization Like Nrdc
If you’d prefer not to wait for a city official to tell you whether or not your tap water is safe, consider having it tested by an organization like the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
The environmental advocacy group offers a free water test kit, which can be ordered online or by phone.
Once received in the mail, follow NRDC’s instructions for how to use the kit and send back its samples each one takes about three minutes of your time!
The test will analyze lead levels in your drinking water (the most harmful metal), as well as copper and pesticide contamination. Results should arrive within five business days of sending them off with the postage-paid envelope provided with the kit.
Work With Your Neighbors To Conduct A More Comprehensive Study
If you’re interested in conducting a more comprehensive study, here are some tips:
Find out how many people in your neighborhood are interested in testing their water. Use social media, word of mouth, or door-to-door outreach to see if there’s interest. If people are interested and able to participate, it’s easier for you to get the sample size needed for a statistically significant study.
Ask those who sign up for email or text alerts when the results are ready so they can be notified when they’re able to download them online.
Ask those who share their test results with you not just send them via email but also share them on social media (for example) so that others can see what types of contaminants were found in their tap water too!
When it comes to emergencies, having the right supplies on hand is crucial. Make sure you have the best water purification tablets on hand with our guide to the top tablets on the market.
Learn About Your Area’s Environmental And Public Health History
Your first step should be to learn about your area’s environmental and public health history. You can do this by searching online for information about local pollution sources (factories, mines, etc.), previous environmental or public health events, and any groups or organizations that can help you.
If you find that there is a history of pollution in your area, it will be helpful to follow up with an inspection of local water sources. Local health organizations may also have information on how they monitor levels of contaminants in tap water.
Look For Information About Local Pollution Sources (Factories, Mines, Etc.).
If you want to know if your tap water is contaminated, you can look at the EPA’s website for information about local pollution sources (factories, mines, etc.). You can also check local maps of those sources.
It may be helpful to talk with your neighbors and local officials about any potential threats to drinking water in your area.
If you’re worried about contamination but live far away from sites that produce toxic waste or hazardous chemicals, there are other ways of checking if your tap water is clean.
Read news reports about incidents like oil spills or chemical leaks that have damaged drinking water supplies in nearby towns and cities over time: if there have been several incidents recently (within the past year), this should raise suspicion that similar problems might be happening closer by as well and could affect yours too!
Conclusion
The great thing about water is that it’s a natural resource. We can’t run out of it, and we can’t destroy it.
But that doesn’t mean that our water is always safe for us to drink! If you want to ensure that your tap water is clean, you’ll need to check with your local government or public health authority.
They’re the best people to tell you whether there’s something wrong with your drinking water and if so, what they’re doing about it.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to learn more about tap water safety and contamination:
Business Insider – Signs your tap water is contaminated and unsafe to drink: This article lists some of the signs that your tap water may be contaminated and provides tips on how to ensure your water is safe to drink.
United States Geological Survey – Where can I find information about my local drinking water supply?: This resource from the USGS provides information on how to find out more about your local drinking water supply and what actions you can take to protect your health.
Environmental Working Group – Tap Water Database: The EWG Tap Water Database allows you to search for information about the quality of your local tap water and provides a national overview of contaminants in drinking water.
FAQs
What are the signs of contaminated tap water?
Some signs of contaminated tap water can include cloudiness, a strange odor or taste, and discoloration. However, not all contaminants are detectable by sight, smell, or taste, so it’s important to get your water tested regularly to ensure its safety.
How can I check the quality of my local drinking water supply?
You can typically find information about your local drinking water supply on your water bill or by contacting your local water utility. You can also check with your state’s environmental agency or use the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database to see if your water has any contaminants.
What contaminants are commonly found in tap water?
Common contaminants found in tap water include lead, bacteria, arsenic, chlorine, and pesticides. The types and amounts of contaminants present will vary depending on where you live and the quality of your local water supply.
How often should I get my tap water tested?
The frequency of tap water testing will depend on a variety of factors, including the quality of your local water supply and your personal concerns about potential contaminants. The EPA recommends getting your water tested at least once a year, but more frequent testing may be advisable in certain circumstances.
What can I do if my tap water is contaminated?
If your tap water is contaminated, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. These may include boiling your water before use, using a water filtration system, or switching to bottled water. In some cases, you may need to work with your local water utility or environmental agency to address the contamination issue.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.