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Water Quality & Potability Testing

Determine the Quality & Potability of Your Water

Water is essential for life, 70% of the human body is water and different parts and organs of the body have varying, but significant water content; for example the heart is 79% water, the brain is 75% water, the liver is 86% water, and the bones are 22% water. At NextDay Inspect, we test for the presence, absence, and the most likely number of bacteria coliforms and E.coli.

Bacteria
-E-Coli
-Coliform
-H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) Producing Bacteria

Water Quality
-pH (Acidic/basic)
-EC (Conductivity)
-TDS (Total Dissolved Solid)
-Salinity
-ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential)
-Turbidity

Human body water content infographic
Water Quality Association Member
Certified and a Member of the Water Quality Association

We pride ourselves on our water quality. We are a certified member of the Water Quality Association (WQA). Our members share their mission and vision in providing professional standards of improving awareness and knowledge of water quality to the community. By being a member of the Water Quality Association, you can be sure that our water testing services are accurate. If you have any concerns about the potability of your water, please schedule your testing with NextDay Inspect today! You can schedule your inspection on our website at Schedule or Request a Quote

When scheduling for water quality testing, it is recommended to find a certified professional. They will follow best practices and standards for water quality testing. This will help ensure accurate results.

What effect does Water Quality have on our health?

The quality of the water we drink has a profound and direct effect on the health of our body and mind. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), The United States has one of the world’s safest water supplies. Even though public drinking water, in general, is safe, water contamination can still occur. There are many possible sources of contamination, including:

  • Sewage releases
  • Cross-Connection 
  • Naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (for example, arsenic, radon, uranium)
  • Local land use practices (for example, fertilizers, pesticides, livestock, concentrated feeding operations)
  • Manufacturing processes (for example, heavy metals, cyanide)
  • Malfunctioning on-site wastewater treatment systems (for example, septic systems)
  • Poor maintenance of the water supply distribution systems(pipes)

 

Consuming contaminated water can lead to mild to severe and even life-threatening health complications. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems may be especially at risk for illness.

The EPA sets standards and regulations for the presence and levels of over 90 contaminants in public drinking water, including E.coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Metals such as lead, and disinfection byproducts.

Water poured into glass cup from kitchen faucet

For More Information About Water Quality

What is Water Turbidty?

Turbidity is the clarity of the water, and it is an important factor in water quality.

The presence of foreign objects, organic or non-organic, in the water can affect its turbidity (clarity).

Some of these particles are harmless to the human, and others can cause serious discomfort or illness. Excessive turbidity in drinking water in addition to being aesthetically unappealing, these particles can present a health concern.

Turbidity can be a source of food and shelter for pathogens. High turbidity can promote pathogens’ growth and can harbor bacteria and viruses, leading to waterborne diseases upon consumption of this contaminated water.

Glass tubes with dirty and clean water

Schedule for Water Testing

Water Acidity & Alkalinity

In general, a water with a pH less than 7 is considered acidic and with a pH higher than 7 is considered basic. The normal range for pH in surface water systems is 6.5 to 8.5 and for groundwater systems 6 to 8.5.

Water with a low pH (less than 6.5) could be acidic, soft, and corrosive. Therefore, the water could leach metal ions such as iron, manganese, copper, lead, and zinc from the aquifer, plumbing fixtures, and piping. Water with a low pH could:

A water with a pH > 8.5 could indicate that the water is hard. Hard water does not pose a health risk, but can cause aesthetic problems.

These problems include:

  • Formation of a “scale” or precipitate on piping and fixtures causing water pressures and interior diameter of piping to decrease;
  • Causes an alkali taste to the water
  • Formation of a scale or deposit on dishes, utensils, and laundry basins;
  • Difficulty in getting soaps and detergents to foam and formation of insoluble precipitates on clothing, etc.; and
  • Decreases efficiency of electric water heaters.

Take a Look at a Sample Report

Get an idea of the format and items that would be listed under a Mold & Moisture Testing Report.

Which Water Test Do I Need?

My Water Tastes Strange

If your water has or gains an unusual taste, or coloration, it can mean that there are bacteria present. Particularly, if there is a sulfurous smell to your water, it is likely caused by bacterial contaminants. The only way to be certain of bacteria content in your water is to test it.

Water taste can also be affected by particulates suspended in the water. Testing the turbidity of the water gives you insight into how many particles are suspended in your water, which may be affecting the flavor.

If your water tastes sour, metallic, or like baking soda, it may have unbalanced pH. A general water quality test will include an assessment of your water’s pH, as well as the salinity and total dissolved solids.

My Water is a Strange Color

Water discoloration happens when non-water elements are present in the suspension. A turbidity test will check for what level of foreign objects are in your water, which is the likely cause of a lowered clarity.

If your water also has a sulfurous smell or taste, this can be an indicator that your water has bacterial growth. The best way to confirm presence of bacteria is to test it.

I'm Worried About Lead in My Water

Homes built previous to 1986 do run the risk of having been built with lead piping or other plumbing fixtures. These fixtures can allow lead to leach into your drinking water. Lead is considered unsafe for children at any level, and should be immediately addressed if found to be present.

Lead is tasteless and cannot be seen or smelt in drinking water. If you have a home built prior to 1986, we recommend testing your water for lead contamination. If you have children in your home, we recommend testing your water for lead contamination.

Is My Water Drinkable?

There are a lot of factors that can affect how potable your water is. If your home is aged (built prior to 1986) then a main concern to rule out should be lead leeching into your water from lead pipes or fixtures.

Bacterial presence also can negatively affect how potable your tap water is. However, bacterial growth often tends to come with unusual smells, tastes, or colors to your water. Without these symptoms, you generally do not need a bacterial water test.

Barring these two main health hazards to consider, you may be best served to test your turbidity to gauge your water’s drinkability. High turbidity can negatively affect your health, while also providing a potential environment for bacterial or viral growth to begin. You may want to test your turbidity if your water appears less clear.