WATER TESTING

Should YOU have YOUR water tested?

To answer this question we need to take a look at several factors. It does concern your health, so it's good to know some basic facts.

Don't wait with scheduling someone to test your water until you become ill, there are many less serious problems and signs to look for, such as color, taste, the smell and staining of clothes or fixtures are key signs of possible water quality problems. It's also very important to look at the composition of your home’s plumbing materials.

Regardless of your water source, below are a few situations that will require water testing:

Do you suspect lead may be in some of your household plumbing materials and water service lines?

Most water supply companies test for lead on a regular basis. Testing gives them a system-wide picture, but it does not reflect conditions at your faucet. If you suspect that your water might contain lead, you should have your water tested as soon as possible. Professional Water Testing is the only way to confirm if lead is present or not. Test kits bought online or at department stores are not as accurate as professional water testing and may give false results.

Public Water Systems

Most of us today pay a water bill, if you do, you are purchasing water from a public water system. You can be sure that your water is monitored, tested and that the results are being reported to federal, state or tribal drinking water agencies, which are responsible for making sure it meets the National Primary Drinking Water Standards. Your water company must notify you once they find contaminants in the water they provide, especially those that may cause illness or other serious problems.

Private Water Supplies

If you get your drinking water from a household well, you are the person that is responsible for assuring that it's safe. In this case, routine water testing for the most common contaminants is necessary. Testing your water on a regular basis is also necessary because it establishes a record of your water quality. Records like these are extremely helpful in solving any future problems and in obtaining compensation if someone damages your water supply.

The following key factors will help you understand
why it is necessary and when to test your drinking water supply

- How often should you test?

You should have your water tested annually for: coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. Tests are necessary especially if you have a new well, if you had your plumbing system replaced or repaired

- Are you expecting baby in the household?

If this is the case, you should definitely test for nitrate in the early months of pregnancy, right before bringing your newborn home, and then again during, the first six to eight months of your baby’s life. Ideally try to test for nitrate during spring or summer months following a rainy period.

- Do you have odor, taste and staining issues?

You should test for chloride, sulfate, manganese, iron, hardness and corrosion.

- Was there a chemical spill or fuel leak close to your water supply?

Test for chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOC's). These tests can be quite expensive talk to the person or company performing the test and try to limit them to possible problems which are specific to your situation.

Five Star Environmental has a team of handpicked, qualified and experienced technicians available to test your water 7 days a week.
A full report will be made available for you within 5 business days!