The Importance Of Water Testing And Sampling

Clean water. It is a necessity to life and health of all living creatures. The water that is coming out of the tap in the kitchen is not always as clean as it may appear and Water testing and sampling might be the best way to find it. In 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act established safety levels for certain contaminants in the country’s public water supply. What contaminants?

Contaminants can get into the drinking water systems through a number of ways: sewer overflows, manufacturing output, local land use, and malfunctioning sewer treatment centers. Water testing and sampling is important because many of these contaminants are known to cause many varying health risks to not only humans, but also pets. Most testing is based on detecting bacteria and lead content.

Another way that dangerous chemicals are introduced to the home water system is through the plumbing and its construction. Lead is still found in many homes, as the older homes begin to age and the pipes begin to corrode, lead can be transferred into the same water that comes out of the kitchen faucet.

Lead is colorless and tasteless, and is also odorless. It cannot be detected by the family, only by conducting water testing and sampling assessments by a certified inspector/laboratory. Lead cannot be boiled out, like some contaminants, so if detected in an older home, plumbing may need to be replaced.

Water testing and sampling should always be conducted immediately after completing any home improvements or changes to the plumbing, in any older home. These same assessments should be completed when purchasing a property and the age of the plumbing is unknown. The effects of lead can be devastating and not worth taking the chance. Lead can cause behavior and learning issues, slow growth, and even anemia.

Often, these tests are required to obtain a home loan on the property. Areas that are not governed by local entities, the EPA is recognized as the authority. In some cases of rural homes or homes that are financed through a FHA or VA loan are required to perform and pass certain water testing and sampling, before the loan can be approved. This testing must be completed by an approved inspector.

Many people do not think about the water that comes from the tap at home, assuming that is healthy, long as the water is clear and doesn’t have a taste or an odor. This is not true. Most of the toxins and contaminants are not detectable without professional water testing and sampling. The procedure is as simple as having a professional inspector take samples, and then waiting for the results to return to the lab. Results are usually received between thirty-six and forty-eight hours. No fuss, no muss. But worth it in the end.