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how to tell if your home water supply is safe to drink

When you’re traveling, you expect to question the water quality and may wonder whether or not it’s safe to drink. This is particularly true as you explore foreign countries where sanitation systems may not be as developed as your homeland.

However, through purchasing a new home, renovating your current one, or noticing water quality changes, you may begin to question whether your water supply is as safe as you thought. There are a few ways to go about making sure so that whatever your family drinks or eats, they can feel safe in doing so.

Contact Your Water Company

Every water agency in the United States must provide a Consumer Confidence Report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This report outlines contaminants that may be present and any health risks they may pose.

One of the best ways to determine if your drinking water is safe is by contacting your water company and accessing that report. If you find that there are contaminants in your water, you can then look at ways to address them, such as with the use of Berkey home water filters.

Make Use of Environmental Working Group’s Drinking Water Database

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a database of water quality reports with easy-to-read information. You can learn about chemicals that are under or exceeding the health limit, alongside the legal limit for what any substance should be. No homeowner should ever feel nervous to drink their own water. While there’s no harm in treating yourself to other beverages like beer, wine, tea, and coffee, water is a necessity of life.

Use the Water Watch Program

The EPA has a Drinking Water Watch program that links to information on water quality violations, pollution, health hazards, and actions being taken. If you live in a participating state, you can enter your public water system into the database to receive a report of the associated water quality tests.

This information can prove useful if you’re sick of being stuck with poor-quality water without reason. With the right information in-hand, you can combat the problem with filtration systems and talk with experts.

DIY Water Testing

We use water in almost every household task we undertake. From preparing meals and washing fruit and vegetables to watering our gardens and cleaning our clothes. If you’re unsure if you’ve got a safe water supply, undertake a DIY water test. This can sometimes be the only option for homeowners who rely on a well to serve their household.

With the help of the Water Quality Association, you can be linked to an approved testing company to find out what’s lurking in your water – if anything. Once you know, simple meal preparation tasks like poaching eggs can be done with far more confidence.

Some people only worry about water quality when traveling, but it can also affect you at home. Something as simple as preparing a delicious family meal can end up being a cause for concern. If you’re unsure whether your water quality is up to scratch, start approaching agencies that can help.




Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.

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