Why is a Water Test Important?
You always want to be sure that the water you drink is safe. If you come in contact with contaminated water, the symptoms are noticed immediately, or not until many years later. The types of illnesses brought on by water contamination are related to the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, and those who drink it experience symptoms such as, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and cramps.
Other factors impacting the health of someone who drinks contaminated water are:
The amount of water that they drink
Type of contaminant found in the water test
The general health and age of the person who drank the contaminated water
The length of time the person has been consuming the contaminated water.
Therefore, it’s better to have a water test sooner than later.
One major problem with contaminated water is that there aren’t any obvious signs that the water is contaminated, such as a funny taste, bad odor or weird colors. Whether or not the water is contaminated can only be known after a water test.
The only way to accurately determine if water is contaminated is by having a water test completed in a quality lab. This pertains to water associated with:
Gas drilling
Commercial water
Residential
Bottled water
What Contaminates Does A Water Test Find
Total Coliform Organisms: These are a group of bacteria normally found within the environment, and they indicate the water’s safety. If they’re present, this indicates that the organisms causing diseases such as parasites, bacteria, and viruses are potentially in the water supply. A water test can easily detect if they’re present.
Bacteria: If a water test finds bacteria in the water, it is then considered to be unsafe to drink until the well has been disinfected. Unfortunately a test that doesn’t find bacteria one time doesn’t ensure that each test will have the same result. Therefore, testing must be done consistently to make sure the water is safe to drink. Long, dry patches, heavy rain, and the run-off after spring potentially affect the quality of the well water.
Nitrates: When nitrates are present in well water, it is usually because of activities linked to farming. This includes activities such as septic system seepage, and fertilizing. If a water test finds that their levels are more than 10 mgs per liter, a baby that is exposed to the water can suffer from blue baby syndrome. This condition happens when the nitrates stop the blood from being able to carry oxygen to the infant’s entire body.
Pesticides and Herbicides: When a water test finds contamination from pesticides and herbicides, it’s because they haven’t been used properly, or are over-used.
E. coli: This bacteria lives in the intestines of humans and animals. If a water test finds any E. coli bacteria, this indicates that animal feces or human sewage has contaminated the supply of water.
AquaKnow provides a comprehensive water test to see if your water has any kind of contamination. To be on the safe side, get your water tested if you have any doubts. Call 877-734-7661 ext 2 or visit www.aquaknow.com.