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Three Ways To Have Your Water Tested For Toxins, Bacteria, And Impurities

Humans can live thirty days without food. They can only live three days without water. That said, if your tap or well water is looking a little funky, it smells, it tastes "off", and/or people in your home suddenly have diarrhea or vomiting symptoms, you might want to get your water tested right away. (In the meantime, stock up on bottled water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing dishes.) Here are three ways you can get your water tested.

Call a Water Softener Business to Test It

Businesses that sell water softeners often do in-home demonstrations where they test your water for free.  The tests they use will check your water (tap or well; it makes no difference) for hard metals like lead and mercury, and they will look for sediment particles and chlorine concentrates too. They provide you with test results of all of the impurities and toxins they find after the tests are complete and while they are standing there trying to sell you a water softener system. If you do not mind the sales pitch, or you want to buy a water softener system anyway, then this is an ideal way to test your water for a lot of things.

City/County Water Testing Facilities

There are also water testing facilities near you that provide a complete workup on your water. They will send you the kit, free of charge, plus a small box to return your self-collected samples from specific taps in your home and outside of your home (from the garden tap). However, the series of tests that they can and will perform will cost you anywhere from $50 to $300, depending on where you live and what the going rate is for the tests they do. Still, these testing facilities take things further than the water softener businesses because the testing facilities also test for bacteria levels, viruses in high concentrates, runoff materials, etc.. You will absolutely know exactly what is in your water when you purchase these tests. 

Well Water Tests

The final set of tests is for well water only. These tests are typically performed by either well contractors, or by county/state level well testers. The tests make sure there is nothing dangerous, poisonous, toxic, or lethal in your well water. The county/state in which you reside may require these tests and the results in order to monitor all of the wells in your area, so the tests have to be completed whether or not you want them anyway.

To learn more about water testing, contact a business that offers the service in your area.   


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