When Should I Test My Water?

It is recommended to test every year, if not every six months

Reasons for testing your water:

• If your water supply is private, ie. comes from a well in your garden then routine well water tests should be carried out regularly

• If you have recurring incidents of gastrointestinal illness within your family

• Pregnant women, babies and young children are especially at risk from exposure to contaminants

• If you move to a new property

• If you suspect contamination ie. through smell or discoloring. Do you see blue or red stains in the sink, bathtub or clothes?

• If water leaves scaly residue on plumbing and fixtures

• If household appliances or water supply equipment don’t appear to be working properly or wear rapidly

• If Health & Safety regulations require that specific water tests are carried out regularly

Factors that require further testing:

• Hardness
• Chlorine
• Pesticides as well as Nitrates & Nitrites as levels may vary due to seasonal changes ie. in the intensity of agriculture
  
• Lead: test for lead at different times in a day as lead levels can vary depending on water usage (they are highest when water has been sitting in the pipe for a while)
• Bacteria