How Can I Get My Water Quality Checked?

The public drinking water systems in the United States are safe, especially in comparison to tap water available in less developed areas of the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.

Tap water can be contaminated at the source or when it comes into contact with contaminants en route to your faucet.

To truly know what you’re drinking, it’s essential to invest in the right water system and get a residential water test.

Why should I get my water quality checked?

Drinking water comes from natural sources like rivers, lakes, and underground reservoirs.

Water may be exposed to everything from minerals leached from nearby rocks to fertilizers sprayed on adjacent fields.

Numerous parasites, viruses, and bacteria can cause serious illnesses and even widespread outbreaks if allowed to flourish in drinking water.

• Giardia
• Legionella
• Norovirus
• Shigella
• Campylobacter
• salmonella and e. coli can make people sick, leading to symptoms such as gastrointestinal complications, neurological disorders, reproductive problems, developmental issues in children, and compromised immune systems.

How do I get my water quality checked?

Suppose you get your water from a local community water source, like a water company that bills you to send water straight to your house. In that case, your water is regularly tested according to standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. You can access the results of those tests by asking your water supplier for their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).

Still, recent studies found that between 9 million and 45 million Americans may be using drinking water that falls short of regulations set forth by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

To understand what you’re pouring into your water glass or using to fill up your stock pot or bathtub, you can check your water quality. It’s essential to do so if you have water supply, such as a well, or if you notice that the water from your tap looks, smells, or tastes off.

Home tests are available, but you’ll likely get more accurate results using a service that collects and analyzes a sample in their lab.

How can I improve my water quality?

If you commission or conduct a residential water test and don’t like the results, report the findings to your local water supplier and call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-4791.

For your peace of mind and protection, consider leasing a water system that filters and supplies clean water on demand. Stonybrook’s bottleless water systems provide freshly filtered water that is better for your body, the environment, and your wallet than wasteful bottled water or jugs.

Depending on your chosen water system, you can filter water for personal use or service an entire office — cold, hot, and sparkling water included!

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