If you rely on Private well Testing regularly for drinking water is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family’s health. Unlike public water systems that need to meet federal water quality rules, personal wells Not regulated It depends on you to keep the water safe according to the safe drinking water.
that Environmental Protection Bureau and Disease Control and Prevention Center Once a year, it is recommended to test water well in spring. If you live near farmland, industrial sites or landfills, or if someone at home is pregnant or immunity, more frequent tests may be wise.
If there is water, you need to test it well Taste, smell Or color changes in reports of floods or repairs or reports on local pollution.
Pollutants vary from region to region
Since contaminants vary from region to region, it is recommended to check local water quality reports. Consumer trust report. Pollutants of personal wells often reflect what is found in nearby small water systems. Check EWG Tap water database Get ideas about potential risks in the area. If the neighboring community is having trouble with water pollutionYour wells can also be in danger. Nearby Farmland,,, Airport, factory, Mine or intakeMore pollution occurs.
Get information through local news, talk to your neighbors, and contact the County Health Bureau to learn the water you see in the area and water problems.
EPA is regulated About 90 contaminants In public drinking water, individual well owners must do their own tests to ensure their water safety.
Here are six Generally detected contaminants In drinking water to watch:
- Sterilization. These are formed when goat or chloramine treats water. In relation to the damage of cancer and fetus, exposure comes from drinking, cooking and bath.
- nitrate. They come from fertilizers. Especially dangerous for infants. Ideally tested for the first six months of pregnancy and baby after heavy rain in spring or summer.
- Heavy metal. Arsenic and Chrome -6Carcinogenic substances, natural sedimentary leaching and industrial pollution.
- PFA. This toxicity “Eternal chemicals” Pollution more water 143 million It is associated with immune problems and cancer.
- Radiation. Radium and uranium of natural sediment or mining. Even low levels can increase cancer risks and pregnancy complications.
- Volatile organic compoundOr VOC. Chemical TricloroethyleneIt is related to cancer and congenital defects.
How to test water well
Everyone deserves to receive You can access safe and clean drinking water -It is a basic human rights. But for millions of people who rely on personal wells, we confirm that water is safe.
Unlike the public capital system, private well is vulnerable to hidden contaminants because there is no regular test or supervision. Tests on all potential contaminants, such as six general contaminants that threaten drinking water, are shockingly expensive and often cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
This did not reach a comprehensive test for many families, even if the responsibility was not initially falling to them. No one needs to choose from health and water quality test costs.
If you can invest in the test, there are three main options. The choice you choose depends on how thoroughly you are trying to make your budget and results.
1. Home test kit
The basic home test kit provided at online and hardware stores is a cheap and easy way to check general water problems such as bacteria, nitrate, pH, hardness and iron. However, it does not detect contaminants such as PFA, heavy metals or VOCs.
2..Mail In Lab Kit
For more thorough testing, you can use the e -mail kit to collect water samples and send them to the authentication laboratory for detailed analysis. This test detects a wider range of contaminants, including heavy metals, PFAs and industrial chemicals.
But even the most comprehensive test kits may not deal with all major pollutants. Even the most expensive options include only some disinfection by -products, do not test PFA, and only the total chrome. To avoid expensive surprises, understand what each kit deals with before buying.
Check out the water quality report of the local utility before purchasing the test. Even if you have good water, the nearby public water system can give you a sense of what the contaminants are in the area. This helps to determine the most important chemicals to be tested, so we don’t spend thousands of dollars in multiple tests.
The e -mail lab kit is expensive from $ 195 to $ 1,000, depending on the range, but provides accurate laboratory certification results.
3. National Certification Laboratory
If there is a specific concern if the proximity to the industrial field or test results for real estate transactions is required. Foreign Authentication Laboratory For professional analysis.
Some counties are provided Free or discount testSo first check with local authorities. The main authentication laboratory provides detailed and accurate tests and can customize this according to the risk of regional risks. You may need professional help for sample collection.
When the test detects contaminants, what to do
If it contains harmful contaminants in water, it is installed Water filter Often is the simplest solution.
Carbon filter It is effective in removing VOC and disinfection by -products. Yeoksam to system It can remove contaminants such as nitrate, PFA and heavy metals. It may be necessary for the treatment of more serious pollution Full house filter Or UV treatment for bacteria.
EWG’s tab water database can tell you about the contaminants found in nearby public water supply tests and provide advice on the best filters to get out of drinking water.
Take action to maintain safety
Individual well owners should not be responsible for drinking water safe. It is public health failure that the private well test is entirely left to the owner of the housing. To identify dangerous pollutants, dependence on individual well owners is unrealistic and millions of people are in danger.
But regularly testing regularly until more powerful and systematic regulations is one of the most important stages you can take to protect your family’s health.
These tests combine with proper treatment and perceptions of local risks to help reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. For regional guidelines, contact local experts, such as the main environment or the Ministry of Health.
*This coupon code is provided as a benefit to the reader and does not configure the approval of the company, product or service. This proposal is available and can be modified or interrupted at any time without notice. The coupon code is not cash value, cannot be transferred, and may not be combined with other proposals. EWG is not responsible for the quality, implementation or conditions of third -party products or services related to this promotion.
