You might have heard that here in the United States, we have access to some of the healthiest water in the world. Although this is true, our tap water is certainly not immune to problems. In fact, the more that people learn about what’s in the water that comes out of our faucets, the more homeowners are beginning to ask: “Is my tap water safe to drink?” The answer to this question can depend on a number of different factors, so today we’re going to go over four questions you should ask yourself when trying to figure out whether or not your tap water is safe to drink!
Question 1: How safe is your source water?
The tap water in your home comes from one of two sources: a public surface water supply or a private well. Both of these sources can have their own separate quality issues.
If your water comes from a public surface water supply like a river or lake, the condition of those bodies of water will directly impact the quality of your tap water. For example, algae blooms can occur periodically throughout the year and produce toxins in your tap water.
Many source water contaminants are removed by water treatment plants, but there are many other contaminants that are not regulated by the EPA and are therefore not tested or treated for. You can get an idea of the quality of your source water by analyzing the consumer confidence reports that are provided to you by your water supplier once per year.
If your water comes from a private well, the quality of your water will depend on how it’s treated and what kind of contaminants exist underground. Private wells are not regulated by the EPA, so treating well water is the responsibility of the owner of the well. If this treatment is not done properly, contaminants can easily make their way to your home.
In addition, well water is at an elevated risk for contaminants like iron, sulfur, fertilizers, pesticides, bacteria and heavy metals, many of which come from runoff produced by nearby industrial or agricultural activities. The best way to figure out the safety of your well water is to have it tested by a professional water quality analyst (below).
Question 2: What kind of chemicals are used to treat your water?
Water is typically treated by adding a chemical disinfectant like chlorine or chloramine. Although these disinfectants are very effective, they also produce chemical byproducts known as THM’s. Consumption of water that’s high in THM’s over long periods of time has been linked to an elevated risk of many types of cancer. These contaminants can be removed by a residential water treatment system.
Question 3: Are your city’s pipes in good shape?
After city water is treated by a water treatment plant, it must travel through a series of public pipes before arriving to your home. In many parts of the country, the water infrastructure is more than 100 years old. Many of these old pipes are deteriorating, allowing contaminants to leech into your tap water after it has already been treated by the city. Do some research on the condition of your city’s pipes and pay attention to frequent stories about local water main breaks in the news.
Question 4: What are the demographics of the people in your home?
Some people are more susceptible to being affected by water contaminants than others. In particular, infants, children, pregnant women, transplant patients and anyone with a weakened immune system should be very cautious about the quality of your tap water at home. Your water might be safe to drink for a healthy adult, but it might be unsafe for anyone in those demographics.
Have your home’s water tested for the most accurate information about your tap water
The best way to truly know whether or not your tap water is safe to drink is to have it tested by a professional water quality analyst like NC Water Consultants. We’ll take samples of your home’s water and test it for a number of different contaminants that can affect the health of you and your family. You can use that information to decide whether or not your home would benefit from a water treatment system and also to help you choose the type of system that’s right for your specific quality issues.
If you have any questions about whether or not your tap water is safe to drink, or if you’d like a water system serviced or installed in your home, contact North Carolina Water Consultants, your water softener and water filtration system dealer in North and South Carolina. We provide service all over the Carolinas, including towns like Monroe, Oakboro and Charlotte, NC.