The Best Way To Test Your Well Water
The Best Way To Test Your Well Water
If you’re concerned about your well water quality, there are several ways to test it. Choosing the best way for you is important.
1. Portable Test Kit
There are many different types of portable test kits that can be used to check for the presence of contaminants. Some are simple paper test strips that simply dip into a sample and determine the color change; other kits use spectrophotometers or analytical detectors to provide more accurate results. There is also a variety of semi-quantitative reagent kits that require no sample extraction or other specialized equipment and produce results in minutes. These include indicator tubes and some of the more sophisticated reagent kits, such as immunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).
2. Laboratory Tests
Whether you are looking to test your well water for safety purposes or to verify your drinking water is safe to drink, there are several laboratory tests that can be used. These tests can provide accurate results that are consistent with what is expected of your water source. Some of the more common types of laboratory tests that can be used to test your well water are color disk kits, pH strips and hand-held digital meters. These kits can be used to test a variety of different chemicals that are present in the water. In addition to testing for chemicals, many well owners also test their water for bacteria, radon and lead. These are important contaminants that can cause serious health problems. However, these tests can only tell you about the condition of your well water at the time that you test it. This is because weather, seasons, drought or other events can change the quality of your water.
3. DIY Tests
When it comes to testing your well water, there are plenty of DIY options. They’re fast, simple and budget-friendly, so you can quickly get a snapshot of the quality of your water. Unlike city or town water, well water isn’t always free of contaminants. It’s important to test your water for lead, bacteria, nitrates and nitrites, iron and other common contaminants. You can also check your water for pesticides and other harmful chemicals. They may enter your well from nearby factories or agricultural run-off, or from a nearby chemical spill or storage tank leak. Other chemicals include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from household and industrial solvents, gasoline and fuel oil.
A DIY test kit usually includes several test tubes, vials and charts for analyzing different samples of water. You can even purchase a kit that tests for multiple types of contaminants at once. Some kits are more thorough than others and test for a variety of elements, while others only test for a few minerals or chemicals. You’ll want to choose the best kit for your needs and budget.
Categorised in: Drinking Water, Water Filtration, Water Safety, Water Testing, Well Water