Water Quality: How to Test, What to Watch For, and Easy Fixes

Clear water can still be unsafe. Lead, bacteria, nitrates and chemicals like PFAS are invisible but can harm health. If you’re worried about your tap, there are quick checks and simple fixes you can use right away.

Start with a basic observation: does the water look cloudy, smell like chlorine or rotten eggs, or taste metallic? Those clues tell you where to focus. Brown or rusty water often points to old pipes. A bleach smell means heavy chlorination. A sulfur smell usually means bacteria in the well or plumbing. None of these require guessing—there are affordable ways to confirm.

Home testing: what to buy and how to collect samples

Buy a few test strips or a basic kit for chlorine, pH, hardness and nitrates (around $15–$40). For lead and bacteria, use a lab test ($30–$150) or a certified kit. If you want accurate lead results, collect a first-draw sample first thing in the morning—water that sat in pipes overnight shows the worst-case exposure. For bacteria, use a sterile bottle and follow the kit or lab instructions exactly.

Test-strip kits are quick for routine checks. They won’t catch everything—PFAS and some industrial chemicals need lab analysis. If a test shows bacteria or high lead, treat it as real and act fast.

Simple fixes and longer-term solutions

Short-term: if bacteria show up, boil water for one minute (three minutes at high altitude) until the problem is fixed or use bottled water for drinking and cooking. Flush your taps by running cold water for a minute before drinking if you suspect metals from plumbing.

Filters work but choose the right type. Activated carbon cuts chlorine, bad taste and many organic chemicals. Reverse osmosis removes most heavy metals, nitrates and many contaminants, but it wastes water and costs more. UV units kill bacteria and viruses but don’t remove chemicals. Look for NSF/ANSI certifications: NSF 53 for lead reduction, NSF 58 for reverse osmosis, and NSF 401 for many emerging contaminants.

Maintenance matters: change filter cartridges on schedule, clean aerators, and follow the manufacturer. A dirty filter can make water worse, not better.

Call a pro when a test shows persistent contamination, your neighbours report the same issue, or you have vulnerable household members like young children or pregnant people. Utilities can test public lines; licensed plumbers can inspect and replace old lead pipes.

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If you want, I can point you to the right home test kits for your concern or suggest filters based on what your water test shows. Want a quick checklist for testing this weekend?

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