H o m e W a t e r T e s t i n g

Regardless of your water source, here are two

situations that may require testing:

Do you suspect lead may be in some of your

household plumbing materials and water service

lines?

Most water systems test for lead as a regular part of

water monitoring. These tests give a system-wide

picture, but do not refl ect conditions at a specifi c

drinking water. If you use a fi lter to remove lead, be

sure you get one that is certifi ed to remove lead by NSF

International.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/safewater/

lead, or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at

1-800-426-4791.

Are you considering a home water treatment unit?

Find out what is in your water and what you might want to

remove before contacting potential dealers. Be informed

so you can make the right decisions. To help you, please

need to know some basic facts.

In addition to illness, a variety

of less serious problems

such as taste, color, odor and

staining of clothes or fi xtures

are signs of possible water

quality problems. Other

things to think about include

the nearness of your water

well to septic systems and the

When you turn on the tap, where does the water come

from? If you pay a water bill, you are purchasing water

from a public water system, where your water is monitored,

tested and the results reported to the

federal, state or tribal drinking water

agencies responsible for making sure it

meets the National Primary Drinking

Water Standards. Your water company

must notify you when contaminants

are in the water they provide that may

your water bill once a year in July. The report contains

information on contaminants found, possible health effects,

and the water’s source. If you do not receive a report,

contact your water company for this information.

Private Water Supplies

If your drinking water does not come from a public water

system, or you get your drinking water from a household

well, you alone

are responsible

for assuring

is highly recommended. Even if you currently have a safe,

pure water supply, regular testing can be valuable because

it establishes a record of water quality. This record is

helpful in solving any future problems and in obtaining

compensation if someone damages your water supply.

The following items will help you determine when to test

your private drinking water supply.

How frequently should I test?

Test water every year for total coliform bacteria,

nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels,

the fi rst six months of the baby’s life. It is best

to test for nitrate during the spring or summer

following a rainy period.

Do you have taste, odor and staining issues?

Test for sulfate, chloride, iron, manganese,

hardness and corrosion, and every three years. If

you suspect other contaminants, test for these also.

Have you had a chemical or fuel spill or leak

near your water supply?

possible impurities in your

area.

Is someone in your

household pregnant

or nursing an infant?

Are there unexplained

illnesses in your family?

Do you notice a change in

water taste, odor, color or

your water tested by a state certifi ed laboratory.

You can fi nd one in your area by calling the

Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or

visiting www.epa.gov/safewater/labs.

Collecting Samples

Most testing laboratories or services supply their own

sample containers. Use the containers provided and

carefully follow the instructions given for collecting,

preserving and handling water samples. Samples for

coliform bacteria testing must be collected using sterile

samples and more reliable test results.

Offi ce of Water (4606) www.epa.gov/safewater EPA 816-F-05-013 May 2005