Should You Get Your Drinking Water Tested

When you rely on a well for your drinking water and other household uses, it is important to know that it has not been compromised by potential contamination. Testing on a regular basis is the best way to ensure that your water doesn’t contain any harmful substances that could affect your family’s health, or that of your pets or livestock. Many people don’t realize that the quality of their water could change suddenly or experience a gradual change over time. This makes regular monitoring an essential task.

What Should Water Be Tested For?

Your water treatment system, when functioning properly, should keep your water safe, but it is still wise to have regular testing for contaminants. Some of the things you should test for include

• Total Dissolved Solids account for the amount of substances like sulfates, chloride, and sodium in your water supply. High TDS can make your water less palatable.
• Although fluoride in small amounts is beneficial to the health of tooth enamel, it can cause dental problems if the levels are too high.
• High levels of sulfate in drinking water can have a negative effect on your gastrointestinal system and have a laxative effect on your body.
• If you notice an unpleasant taste or odor from your water, it is often due to excessive manganese, iron, sulfate, chloride, and sodium ions.
• If your groundwater has higher concentrations of nitrate, it can interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. This is especially detrimental to infants under six months of age.
• Coliform bacteria. These bacteria are an indicator of dangerous microorganisms in your water supply that can be harmful to your health.

If you haven’t been getting your water tested, it is a good time to start. Adding this task to your regular home maintenance schedule can prevent illness and improve the taste of your drinking water. When you are looking for water testing in Poughkeepsie and the surrounding areas, D. Rohde Heating, Plumbing & AC is your go-to company. Call us today at (845) 453-9072 to begin your regular testing schedule.