Water testing is a term that many of us are familiar with yet few of us completely understand what it entails. The answer to that question is dependent upon a few different factors such as which water you are testing and for which purposes and which testing mediums one uses. When testing water it is important to ask oneself what the purpose of the test is. After all, if you are testing for certain reasons and test for chemicals or minerals that aren’t relevant the test itself can end up being a waste of time or worst even a waste of money as well.
In so far as testing is concerned the first question one must ask themselves is which kind of water is being tested and this will help answer the question of which type of testing kit should be used. For example, in the case of city water coming in through the pipes to a house for drinking, showering, washing, or other purposes one would want a water test focused on searching for contaminants like lead and chlorine. Whereas, if someone were testing well-water a test focused on searching for contaminants such as screening for pesticides or other unhealthy byproducts that can find its way into the groundwater.
Once a person has answered the question of what kind of water is being tested the next important decision would be which kind of testing medium to use. It is important to know that most testing mediums are one time use only. There are many different kinds of tests including everything from testing strips that are dipped into the water and turn different colors depending on the results. Others use powder or specifically designed solutions that will color or otherwise reveal many of the contaminants that hide within invisible to the naked eye.
While many of these things are available for purchase online or in local stores it is always a good decision to consult with a professional at least for the sake of selecting the right tools for the testing. As water quality is different between counties and cities it is important to consult with someone that has knowledge of which particular contaminants one should be looking for depending on the water district that provides the water.
In addition to the knowledge of which tools to use there are also particular steps and measurements involved in accurately testing water. While reading the instructions on the testing kits or tools is a good way to avoid making mistakes and getting poor or inaccurate results it is always better to have a trained professional perform the test for the most accurate results.
In many cases this can also save a homeowner money as most companies that specialize in providing solutions to soften or purify water will happily provide a free water test in order to know which solutions will help a homeowner improve their water quality.
