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Test Your Water

What's In Your Water?
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Private well water may appear clear, but it may contain varying levels of contaminants such as lime (hardness), dissolved iron, manganese, heavy metals, color, odors, grit, silt, turbidity and bacteria. A simple water test may reveal harmful contaminants that are invisible, odorless, tasteless and undetected. Some contaminants cause immediate illness, while others can create serious long-term health problems. Contaminants seep into groundwater and can affect your drinking supply and this can change without your awareness. The EPA recommends annual testing for private wells and drinking water sources and before you put a new well in service. Protect yourself and your family by testing your water at the point of use.

It is essential to have your well water tested before choosing a filtration system. Never assume a standard water softener or filter can be used on well water, seek advice. Almost all water problems can be corrected using a selection of properly specified equipment after full chemical and bacterial water testing.

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Effective treatment for your home or business begins with a water test.

Health Risks Related to Water Contaminants
  • Many homeowners assume that their water is safe and avoid testing for harmful contaminants. It's the "what you don't know won't hurt you" syndrome.
  • You should know what's in your water and whether treatment is appropriate for you. Almost all water problems can be treated.
  • Some contaminants have annoying aesthetic effects.
  • Some contaminants pose significant health risks.

Note: Consult your physician for any medical concerns you might have regarding water contaminants. Good Water Company does not provide advice on health issues.
Links to sites which may provide useful health information:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Health Effects of Contaminants in Drinking Water
Centers for Disease Control and Protection
Drinking Water Bureau, New Mexico Environment Department

Links to Water Contaminants

Standard Plate Count (Heterotrophic Plate Count)
www.epa.gov/region09/lab/sops/sop1108.html

Coliform Bacteria
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/hfacts.html#Microbiological

E. coli
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/ecoli.html

Arsenic
www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/index.html

Calcium
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/calcium-and-water.htm

Chromium
www.epa.gov/OGWDW/contaminants/dw_contamfs/chromium.html

Copper
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/factsheets/copper.htm

Iron and Dissolved Iron
www.epa.gov/nrmrl/wswrd/cr/corr_res_iron.html

Lead
www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/index.html

Magnesium
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/magnesium-and-water.htm

Manganese
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/pdfs/reg_determine1/support_cc1_magnese_dwreport.pdf

Selenium
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/selenium.html

Sodium
www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/sodium.html

Zinc
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/zinc.pdf

Alkalinity (and Corrosion)
www.water-research.net/corrosion.htm

Hardness
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/1683274HARDNESS.PDF

pH
www.watersystemscouncil.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/3531585PH.PDF

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/2010920TDS_FINAL.pdf

Chloride
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/2010920TDS_FINAL.pdf

Fluoride
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/fluoride.pdf

Nitrate/Nitrite
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/nitrates.html

Silica
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/silicon-and-water.htm

Sulfate
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/sulfate.pdf

Trihalomethanes (Disinfection Byproducts) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/hfacts.html#Disinfection