What Water Problems Indicate You Need Water Testing?
We answer many water quality questions for residents in Lakeland, Florida, about their water quality. There are three water problems that we hear about the most: an off taste, unappealing odor, and discoloration. These are three out of five of the top reasons we recommend water testing. Read on to learn all five!
Water testing is an essential tool to determine your water quality and what treatment options may improve it. There are many ways that contaminants can make their way into municipal water systems and private wells. Your water could be laced with harmful chemicals, hard metals, or bacteria, whether you have city water or well water. Some contaminants are easy to see, taste or smell, while others are entirely undetectable without a test.
These are the top five reasons to have your water tested.
#1. Your Water Doesn’t Taste Right
Does your water have a metallic tang or remind you of pool water? Or does it have a bitter, sweet, or medicine-like flavor? Several different minerals and chemicals can impact the taste of your water. If it doesn’t taste right to you, it’s a good idea to have it tested. It may contain:
- High calcium or iron
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Chlorine
#2. Your Water Has a Bad Odor
If your water smells, it’s a clear indicator that your water quality is compromised. It may smell musty, fishy, or like rotten eggs. Some contaminants can make it smell earthy or like a wet animal. If your water has a foul odor, don’t wait to have it tested!
It may contain:
- Bacteria
- Barium
- Cadmium
- Chloramines
- Hydrogen sulfide
#3. Your Water is Discolored
Does your water look rusty or cloudy? Or does it have a bluish, greenish, or orange tint? All of these are common signs that your water is contaminated. The problem in your water could be from:
- Algae
- Copper
- Iron
- High turbidity (too many dissolved or suspended solids)
#4. Your Water is Causing Issues
Have you noticed rust color stains in your sink, tub, and toilet or white-colored scale around your faucets, in the shower, and on dishes? Do your water-based appliances die or break down faster than usual? Any of these are signs that your water has a high concentration of either:
- Calcium
- Iron
#5. Harmful Undetectable Water Problems
Many harmful contaminants, like lead, are undetectable without a professional water quality test. Thousands of cities across the country have serious lead problems due to aging infrastructure. If you have a private well, you are at a greater risk of bacterial or viral contaminants in your water supply.
These are the top four undetectable contaminants that are problems in water supplies across the USA:
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Nitrates
- Chromium
- How can I know if my water should be tested?
Since many harmful contaminants are undetectable, it’s a good idea to have your water professionally tested at least once. This is especially true if there are young children in your home or your home has a private well. Young children are more vulnerable to damaging side effects from numerous contaminants such as lead. Private wells are more likely to contain harmful chemicals, bacteria, and viruses since they are not treated. There are many water purification systems available each has different strengths. Whether it would be better to get a carbon filter, ultraviolet light filter, or another option depends on what problem you need to correct.
There are many services throughout the country that supply free water testing. Tri-Florida Water Treatment offers free in-home water analyses for residents throughout the Lakeland, Florida, area. You deserve for your tap to run with safe water that tastes, smell, and looks refreshing! Contact us today to set up a free water analysis!