Water Clear
HOW SAFE IS YOUR WATER?
In past blogs I’ve written about plumbing smells and oddly enough those blogs have consistently been the most widely read and commented on and the topic still remains of high interest in the discussion groups and forums that I follow daily. As a follow up on this I would like to address water purity issues and simple ways that you can and should be checking your water source for the safety and health of your family and for the proper maintenance and care of your plumbing system.
To begin most Americans use some 80+/- gallons of water per day. Most of this water comes from a municipal or public source. In rural areas and small developments your water may still some from a well. In either case can you be sure the water is safe? Most of us just take it for granted that when we turn the tap on the water is fine but the reality is that even in a public system you should always keep up with the purity of the water provided to your family. Your local water district is required to issue “Consumer Quality Reports” on an annual basis. Although this report should be mailed to you many districts satisfy this requirement by publishing the reports in local newspapers and others by just having the report available to you upon request. Either way, if you haven’t received one, ask for it to be sent to you. To do this testing on your own can be expensive so use the sources available to you before you spend the money to have your own testing done. This is just a start because there can be other factors. The condition of the piping into your home and appliances such as your hot water heater can affect the water quality. If your home is old it can contain some lead piping or plastic composites that leach out chemicals into your water. High lead content has become a major concern in recent years with cases of severe brain damage occurring in children from lead in water sources, peeling paint and most recently in imported toys.
To this end start by simply drawing a glass of water into a very clean and clear glass. Does the water have a smell? If you’re on a public system you might smell a faint trace of chlorine. Do you smell sulfur or rotten eggs? As I mentioned in a previous blog this could indicate a problem with the anodes in your water heater. Is the water clear? You shouldn’t be able to detect any color nor floating particles in the water. Let the glass sit for couple of hours and see if there is any sediment that settles to the bottom. Any of these things could indicate that your water has become contaminated or compromised and you should contact your water provider for additional testing. To assure that the problem does not originate from within your own plumbing system you will have to do the testing on your own. Your county extension agent can provide you with a list of independent firms which do water testing and with a list of recommended do-it-yourself kits which can be purchased at your local big box or hardware store or from the internet. Obviously the testing done by a lab will be more reliable than a DIY test but the lab tests can be very expensive. Check your drains and fixtures such as toilets and tubs for red, green, blue or brown staining. This can indicate a bacteria growth or a presence of undesirable chemicals.
You should be especially conscious of your water quality if you have a private water supply, such as a well. You are solely responsible for your water quality when coming from your own source and you are far more likely to experience water quality issues. Wells should be tested for herbicides and insecticides when you first have the well installed, and at least twice the first year (early spring and late fall) for coli forms bacteria and nitrates from local fertilizing. After the first year you should be testing once a year for lead, pH and dissolved solids or if any work has been performed on your well, Notice chemical use on or near your property, or if you see any of the above-mentioned indicators, have your water checked. Most new wells are required to have initial testing done before use providing you a baseline guide for future water testing. This initial testing should check for coli forms, calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, nitrates, pH, sodium, sulfate, zinc and dissolved solids. Keep this report for a comparison against future tests.
Basically water purity initially boils down to common sense. If you are on a public water supply the quality should be well maintained but you should avail yourself of the reports provided. You should perform the simple visual tests I recommended on regular basis and don’t ignore obvious problems. Lastly because a well is your own responsibility you should be even more vigilant with observation and testing.
About the Author
Im a retired disabled accountant with vast knowledge in the DIY area having built several houses and worked on my own projects for 30+ years. I spend most of my days reading and responding to over 30 forums and discussion groups.
I currently author and manage a blog site for a friend’s builder supply business. I include personally written articles on the subject of home and home repair along with featured specials on products offered by the company
|
|
Speed 6104 Hose Adapter for Electric Water Pump -16 AN Clear Anodized $20.88 |
|
|
IMPERIAL crystal 0LD WILLIAMSBURG Clear pattern TALL Water Goblet 6 1/2″ $9.59 |
|
|
Tibet Super Water Clear Quartz Crystal Herkimer Diamond With Black Phantom 6g $14.99 |
|
|
WHOLESALE 10 PACKS BLUE CRYSTAL CLEAR Flower PLANTS WATER NUTRIENT BIO-GEL SOIL $0.01 |
|
|
10 PACKS YELLOW CRYSTAL CLEAR FLOWER PLANT WATER NUTRIENT BIO-GEL SOIL $0.01 |
|
|
WHOLESALE 10 PACKS BLUE CRYSTAL CLEAR Flower PLANTS WATER NUTRIENT BIO-GEL SOIL $0.01 |
|
|
Premier Single Water Drinking KDF/GAC Filter Counter Clear Housing -Made in USA $49.40 |
|
|
Oceanic 5 stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System With clear housing 36 GPD $118.00 |
|
|
30 x LED Yellow/Amber Ultra Bright Water Clear 3mm Round Top 4 volts 7000 mcd $3.48 |
|
|
Magic 10Bags clear Crystal Mud Soil-Water Beads-Flower Planting wedding $2.01 |
|
|
Black Clear Rain Water Drop Thin iPhone 4G 4S Case + Front Rear Screen Guard $6.95 |
|
|
LED Red Ultra Bright Water Clear 3mm Round Top 4 volts 7000 mcd $3.45 |
|
|
Speed 6101A Hose Adapter For Electric Water Pump 1 1/2″ Hose Clear Anodized $20.88 |
|
|
Fostoria AMERICAN CLEAR Open Water Bottle 2602171 $791.95 |
|
|
30 x LED White Ultra Bright Water Clear 3mm Round Top 4 volts 7000 mcd $3.49 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Pink Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 8000mcd For DIY $0.99 |
|
|
FIVE VINTAGE 6.5″ BRYCE CLEAR ETCHED STEMMED WATER GOBLETS #772-EXCEL COND $9.99 |
|
|
Ceramic Tile Water Purifier Faucet Filter Blue Clear $6.39 |
|
|
50pcs 5mm UV Purple Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 1000mcd For DIY $2.02 |
|
|
30 x LED Orange Ultra Bright Water Clear 3mm Round Top 4 volts 7000 mcd $3.41 |
|
|
Holiday For The Blues – Where The Cool Clear Water Spills Foy Willing Majestic $3.99 |
|
|
1.8 mm Red Water Clear LED’s Pack of 100# # L18RWC-100 $10.50 |
|
|
Clear Pure Water-2-Go Eco Bottle Water Filter System $29.99 |
|
|
Vintage Anchor Hocking Boopie Clear Glass Water Goblet $7.99 |
|
|
CAMELBAK ALL CLEAR UV Water Purifier Water Bottle Pure Blue NEW $99.00 |
|
|
100pcs 5mm Red / Blue Flash Flashing Water Clear LED,3638 $11.99 |
|
|
100pcs, 5mm Green Water Clear 7000MCD LED LED’S,3640 $10.99 |
|
|
100pcs,5MM BLUE WATER CLEAR ULTRA BRIGHT LEDs,3639 $10.99 |
|
|
20pcs 5mm Red / Blue Flash Flashing Water Clear LED,3638 $3.99 |
|
|
20pcs, 5mm Green Water Clear 7000MCD LED LED’S,3640 $2.99 |
|
|
50pcs 5mm Red / Blue Flash Flashing Water Clear LED,3638 $7.99 |
|
|
50pcs, 5mm Green Water Clear 7000MCD LED LED’S,3640 $5.99 |
|
|
50pcs,5MM BLUE WATER CLEAR ULTRA BRIGHT LEDs,3639 $5.99 |
|
|
CAMELBAK ALL CLEAR UV Water Purifier Pre Filter for Water Bottle NEW $15.00 |
|
|
CAMELBAK Clear Orange Plastic BETTER BOTTLE 750ml. 24oz WATER BOTTLE $13.99 |
|
|
NEW Bormioli Rocco Water Drink Glasses Set of 4 Clear Glassware Italian Design $29.99 |
|
|
5L CLEAR water beads, crystal soil, water balls, wedding party event centerpiece $9.99 |
|
|
Water Pearls-CLEAR-Centerpiece Wedding Tower Vase Filler-makes 6 gallons $27.13 |
|
|
Water Clear Quartz Seed Crystal Cluster!! $9.99 |
|
|
Data Ports Anti Dust&Water-Proof Plug Cover For All Laptop Macbook Pro 13 15 Air $6.48 |
|
|
AMETHYST DONUT PENDANT STERLING SILVER WIRE WRAP WATER CLEAR SOFT COLOR $10.00 |
|
|
Frit Water Clear 96 Coe Glass Fusing 8.5oz Jar Fine $12.79 |
|
|
Clear Plastic Water Resistant Pouch w Arm Belt for iPhone 4 3G 3GS $7.84 |
|
|
15, 5mm White 30000mcd ULTRA BRIGHT Water Clear CAR/BOAT LED FREE RESISTOR i $1.95 |
|
|
20, 5mm White 30000mcd ULTRA BRIGHT Water Clear CAR/BOAT LED FREE RESISTOR i $2.39 |
|
|
30, 5mm White 30000mcd ULTRA BRIGHT Water Clear CAR/BOAT LED FREE RESISTOR i $3.50 |
|
|
60PCS 5mm White 30000mcd ULTRA BRIGHT Water Clear CAR/BOAT LED FREE RESISTOR i $5.55 |
|
|
Traveling 30ML Cosmetic Skin Water Spray Bottle Purple Clear for Woman $2.67 |
|
|
50pcs 5mm Blue Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 8000mcd For DIY $1.99 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Yellow Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 5000mcd For DIY $1.89 |
|
|
Tibet Super Water Clear Quartz Crystal Herkimer Diamond With Black Phantom 4g $17.99 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Green Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 6000mcd For DIY $1.89 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Red Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 5000mcd For DIY $1.89 |
|
|
100pcs, 5mm Yellow Water Clear 7000MCD LED LED’S,3738 $10.99 |
|
|
50pcs 5mm Yellow Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 6000mcd For DIY $1.89 |
|
|
50pcs 5mm Green Superbright Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 12000mcd For DIY $1.89 |
|
|
50pcs 5mm Red Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 6000mcd For DIY $1.89 |
|
|
1000,3MM Colorful Flash Flashing Water Clear LED,SCF3 $84.00 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Blue Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 5000mcd For DIY $1.89 |
|
|
50pcs, 5mm Yellow Water Clear 7000MCD LED LED’S,3738 $5.99 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm UV Purple Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 900mcd For DIY $2.84 |
|
|
50pcs 5mm Pink Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 9000mcd For DIY $2.84 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Pink Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 8000mcd For DIY $2.84 |
|
|
More Mile Sports & Fitness Running Water Drinks Bottle Clear 500ml MM1376 $3.11 |
|
|
Disposable Air-Water Syringe Tips Dual channels / Crystal Tips (white / clear) $12.99 |
|
|
100pcs 5mm Ultra Bright water clear White LED $4.79 |
|
|
More Mile Sports & Fitness Running Water Drinks Bottle Clear 750ml MM1378 $4.67 |
|
|
50pcs 10mm Pink Round Water Clear LED Light Lamp 9000mcd For DIY $4.74 |
|
|
20pcs 5mm Ultra Bright water clear White LED $2.69 |
|
|
5 mm Green LED’s Water Clear Lens Pack of 20 L05GC $1.75 |
|
|
10pcs 3mm Ultra Bright water clear Blue LED $0.99 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Ultra Bright water clear Blue LED $2.49 |
|
|
10pcs 3mm Ultra Bright White Water Clear LED $0.99 |
|
|
20pcs 3mm Ultra Bright White Water Clear LED $1.79 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Ultra Bright White Water Clear LED $3.29 |
|
|
500pcs 10value Super Bright Water Clear 3mm 5mm Led Box Kit ( With Tracking No) $29.99 |
|
|
10 value 750pcs Super Bright Water Clear Led Assortment Kit ( With Tracking No) $23.74 |
|
|
100pcs 5mm red yellow blue white green led water clear $6.99 |
|
|
5 mm Purple LED’s Water Clear Lens Pack of 5 L05PC $1.75 |
|
|
30pcs 3mm Ultra Bright Water Clear Orange LED $1.99 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Ultra Bright Water Clear Orange LED $2.49 |
|
|
10pcs 3mm Ultra Bright Water Clear Green LED $0.99 |
|
|
30pcs 3mm Ultra Bright Water Clear Green LED $1.99 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Ultra Bright Water Clear Green LED $2.99 |
|
|
5 pcs River 250 x 250mm Water Effect Simulate Sheet Model Train HO OO #Clear $19.90 |
|
|
1.8mm Purple LED’s Water Clear Pack of 25 L18PWC-25 $10.50 |
|
|
15pcs 3mm Ultra Bright Water Clear Red LED $0.99 |
|
|
30pcs 3mm Ultra Bright Water Clear Red LED $1.69 |
|
|
50pcs 3mm Ultra Bright Water Clear Red LED $2.49 |
|
|
5 pcs Lake 250 x 250mm Water Effect Simulate Sheet HO OO Model Train # Clear $19.90 |
|
|
Black Clear Rain Water Drop Thin iPhone 4G 4S Case + Front Rear Screen Guard $6.95 |
|
|
Clear Rain Water Drop Thin iPhone 4G 4S Case + Front Rear Screen Guard $6.95 |
|
|
3000,5mm White / BLUE 12000mcd Water Clear LED’S Lamp $99.99 |
|
|
Black Clear Rain Water Drop Design iPhone 4 4S Hard Case w/ Screen Protector $6.95 |
|
|
LED Red Ultra Bright Water Clear 3mm Round Top 4 volts $3.45 |
|
|
TPU Soft Case Cover Water Clear B for iPhone 4 (0065TT) $3.29 |
|
|
100pcs, 5mm Water Clear RED Flash Flashing Blink Led,3839 $13.99 |
|
|
10pcs High Power Super Bright Water Clear Blue 5mm LED 9V 12V W free resistors $0.90 |
|
|
Clear Rain Water Drop Design iPhone 4 4S Hard Case Cover w/ Screen Protector $6.95 |
|
|
20pcs, 5mm Water Clear RED Flash Flashing Blink Led,3839 $3.99 |
|
|
Prodyne Fruit Infusion 93-Ounce Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher $19.99 Enjoy refreshing lemon water, raspberry iced tea and more. Crystal clear acrylic pitcher has removable fruit infusion rod that screws into the lid. Open slots in rod allow liquid and fruit to mix naturally. Refill the pitcher without replacing the fruit….. |
|
|
OXO Salad Spinner … |
|
|
PUR 18 Cup Dispenser with One Pitcher Filter DS-1800Z $24.05 Our patented, premium carbon filter makes PUR the first leading pitcher filter that removes 99% of microbial cysts. It also reduces chlorine (taste and odor) and 96% of trace levels of pharmaceuticals, giving you clean, great-tasting water. Yet it still leaves behind beneficial fluoride. Pharmaceutical reduction is not certified by NSF/ANSI or state standard. Based on manufacturer testing for ave… |
|
|
Chronicle, Vol. 1: The 20 Greatest Hits $5.06 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL CHRONICLE: 20 GREATEST HITS… |
|
|
Creedence Clearwater Revival – 36 All Time Greatest Hits! $20.84 German 3CD set. Song List DISC 1 1. Proud Mary 2. Born On The Bayou 3. Good Golly Miss Molly 4. Bad Moon Rising 5. Who’ll Stop The Rain 6. Commotion 7. The Midnight Special 8. Have You Ever Seen The Rain 9. Lodi 10. Lookin’ Out My Back Door 11. Tombstone Shadow 12. Wrote A Song For Everyone DISC 2 13. Green River 14. Walk On The Water 15. Down On The Corner 16. Born To Move 17. Up Around The World… |
|
|
Chronicle Vol. 2: Twenty Great CCR Classics $5.12 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL CHRONICLE: VOLUME TWO… |
|
|
Doodling For Bass In Deep, Clear Water (1988) Don Iovino At Lake Mead Don Iovino – 1984 U.S. Bass World Champion (won on Lake Mojave – a deep clear water lake) is the only person in the history of U.S. Bass to win “Angler of the Year” in two divisions in the same year, and is a five time National Champion Pro-Fisherman. Don has been a professional guide and outfitter for over fifteen years. ‘IN THIS PROGRAM NOTHING IS HELD BACK!’ Learn the “Doodling Secrets” from… |
|
|
Doodling for Bass in Deep, Clear Water with Don Iovino U.S. Barr World Champion Video Tapes at Lake Mead … |
|
|
Screen Protector Guard For Nokia 5230 Nuron $2.98 Screen Protector Guard For Nokia 5230 Nuron… |
|
|
PUR MineralClear Faucet Refill RF-9999, 6 Pack $52.40 … |
