What's in your Water?

Ammonia, Arsenic, Atrazine, Bacteria, Chlorine, Copper, Iron, Lead, Nitrates, Nitrites, Pesticides, Phosphates, Radon, Simazine & more are all common things found in our drinking water. All can have harmful effects on our health.

Is your water hard, soft, acidic or base?

Do you have stains in your tubs, sinks or other plumbing fixtures? These could be the result of having too hard water, improper pH or?

It is recommended to test your water periodically to be certain it is safe!

Water is essential for life and plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the Earth's ecosystems. The pollution of water has a serious impact on all living creatures, and can negatively affect the use of water for drinking, household needs, recreation, fishing, transportation and commerce. EPA enforces federal clean water and safe drinking water laws, provides support for municipal wastewater treatment plants, and takes part in pollution prevention efforts aimed at protecting watersheds and sources of drinking water. The Agency carries out both regulatory and voluntary programs to fulfill its mission to protect the nation's waters.

The United States has one of the safest water supplies in the world. However, national statistics don't tell you specifically about the quality and safety of the water coming out of your tap. That's because drinking water quality varies from place to place, depending on the condition of the source water from which it is drawn and the treatment it receives.

That is the number one reason you should test your family's water on a regular basis.

How can I protect my private water supply?

You can protect your water supply by carefully managing activities near the water source. For households using a domestic well, this includes keeping contaminants away from sinkholes and the well itself. Hazardous chemicals also should be kept out of septic systems.

• Periodically inspect exposed parts of the well for problems such as:

  • cracked, corroded, or damaged well casing

  • broken or missing well cap

  • settling and cracking of surface seals

• Slope the area around the well to drain surface runoff away from the well

• Install a well cap or sanitary seal to prevent unauthorized use of, or entry into, the well

• Have the well tested once a year for bacteria, nitrates, and other constituents of concern

• Keep accurate records of any well maintenance, such as disinfection or sediment removal, that may require the use of chemicals in the well

• Hire a certified well driller for any new well construction, modification, or abandonment and closure

• Avoid mixing or using pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, degreasers, fuels, and other pollutants near the well

• Do not dispose of wastes in dry wells or in abandoned wells

• Do not cut off the well casing below the land surface

• Pump and inspect septic systems as often as recommended by your local health department

• Never dispose of hazardous materials in a septic system

Radon in Water

The radon in your home's indoor air can come from two sources, the soil or your water supply. Compared to radon entering your home through water, radon entering your home through soil is a much larger risk. If you've tested for radon in air and have elevated radon levels and your water comes from a private well, have your water tested. The devices and procedures for testing your home's water supply are different from those used for measuring radon in air.

The radon in your water supply poses an inhalation risk and an ingestion risk. Research has shown that your risk of lung cancer from breathing radon in air is much larger than your risk of stomach cancer from swallowing water with radon in it. Most of your risk from radon in water comes from radon released into the air when water is used for showering and other household purposes.

Radon in your home's water in not usually a problem when its source is surface water. A radon in water problem is more likely when its source is ground water, e.g., a private well or a public water supply system that uses ground water. Some public water systems treat their water to reduce radon levels before it is delivered to your home. If you are concerned that radon may be entering your home through the water and your water comes from a public water supply, contact your water supplier.

If you've tested your private well and have a radon in water problem, it can be fixed. Your home's water supply can be treated in one of two ways. Point-of-entry treatment can effectively remove radon from the water before it enters your home. Point-of-entry treatment usually employs either granular activated carbon (GAC) filters or aeration devices. While GAC filters usually cost less than aeration devices, filters can collect radioactivity and may require a special method of disposal. Point-of-use treatment devices remove radon from your water at the tap, but only treat a small portion of the water you use, e.g., the water you drink. Point-of-use devices are not effective in reducing the risk from breathing radon released into the air from all water used in the home.