Whether you’re renting an apartment in downtown Richmond, moving into a new Chesterfield home, or have lived in your Midlothian house for decades, you always need to upkeep your living space. While we normally keep up with our home’s air filters and light bulbs, most people often forget about one thing that is fairly important: tap water quality.
We drink water every day, it’s the fuel that keeps us going. But when you don’t check your fuel source, you could start to damage your body’s inner workings. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires public water supplies to report on their water quality, your tap water could still be at risk. In this post, we’ll go over why and when you should test your tap water.
What Affects My Water Quality?
If you pay for your water each month, your home’s tap water comes from a public water system. These systems provide water either from surface or ground sources, which are then processed in a water treatment center before the water arrives at your home.
Since these systems source their water naturally, there’s always a risk of contaminants getting in the water. There are a few common ways that contaminants can get into your drinking water:
- Natural chemicals and minerals (radon, uranium, arsenic)
- Local land use practices (fertilizer, pesticides, livestock)
- Water plant manufacturing process
- Sewer overflows
- Malfunctioning wastewater treatment systems
How Can I Test My Water?
In an effort to keep our drinking water safe, the EPA offers plenty of ways to get your water tested.
- Contact the Virginia Department of Health: The VDH can inform you of any possible contaminants in your water supply and direct you to the right experts to call for any further questions.
- Find a local water testing laboratory: If you need your water thoroughly tested, sending a sample to your local lab will be your best option.
- Use a personal water test kit: The EPA can provide you with personal testing kits, or you can find them at your local hardware store.
When Should I Test My Water?
While your public water system is tested at least once a year, there are times when you should test your water. Usually, this is whenever there’s a risk of contaminants entering your water supply, or when people who are susceptible to illness enter your home.
- When you’re expecting a child: It’s important to test for nitrate early into your pregnancy and during the first six months after birth. Nitrate can affect the baby’s prenatal development, causing serious health problems once they’re born.
- When you notice a change in your water: If you notice a change in your water’s taste, smell, or color, it’s time to get it checked. These could be signs of a plethora of chemicals that could be dangerous in high amounts, like iron, sulfate, or chloride.
- When there is a chemical or fuel leak nearby: If a chemical spill is reported near your area, there’s always a risk of the water supply being contaminated. Before you test your water, make sure you know which contaminants to test for specifically. Consult any local experts, like your local Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR), before conducting any tests.
- When your household experiences unexpected illnesses: If the people in your home are experiencing unexplained sicknesses, specifically gastrointestinal illnesses, then you should test your water. There’s a possibility that your tap water might have coliform bacteria.
- After construction or plumbing projects: If your home has recently been renovated or you’ve updated your plumbing, there is a risk of contaminants getting into your water supply. It’s important to test for lead and other construction-related chemicals during and after a home project.
Prevent Drinking Water Contaminants in Richmond, VA
If you believe that your water has been contained due to an issue with your plumbing, contact Mike Wilson Plumbing. Our experienced team specializes in emergency plumbing services and can examine your pipes to make sure there are no contaminant leaks caused by your plumbing.
Sources:
- https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/drinking-water-regulations
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/drinking-water-faq.html
- https://www.thespruce.com/best-water-testing-kits-4155794
- https://www.andersonwater.com/5-reasons-why-you-should-be-testing-your-tap-water/
- https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/water-testing-kit-lead