Drinking water seems to be all over the news these days.  It is essential for human life, yet many people do not think about the quality of their drinking water until something goes wrong. Read on for tips to ensure that your family’s drinking water is safe.

Check The Source Of Your Water

The first step to ensuring that your water is safe to drink is to know the source of your water. If you are on a public water system, you can contact your local water utility for information on your water quality. If you have a private well, you will need to have your well regularly tested to ensure that it is not contaminated.

Contaminated drinking water can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that can cause severe illness or even death. It is important to remember that just because your water looks clean does not mean that it is free of contaminants.

There are many ways that contaminants can enter your drinking water supply, including runoff from agricultural fields; sewage overflows; faulty septic systems; and industrial and hazardous waste sites.

Have Your Water Tested

The best way to ensure that your water is safe to drink is to have it tested by a certified laboratory. You can find a list of certified laboratories in your area by contacting your city’s environmental or health department.

If you are on a public water system, you can also request a copy of your water supplier’s most recent water quality report. The report will contain information on any contaminants that were found in the water during routine testing.

Private wells should be tested at least once a year for bacteria and for other contaminants. Check for nitrates and lead every three years. You can learn more about private well testing by doing an online search.

Once you have the results of your water test, compare them to the EPA’s drinking water standards. This will show you if any contaminants are present at levels that could be harmful to your health. If you find that there are contaminants in your water, these Camp Lejeune advocates can help you build a case.

Treat Your Water

If your water contains bacteria, the best way to treat it is to boil your water for at least one minute. This will kill the bacteria and make your water safe to drink. You can also use a water filter to remove bacteria from your water.

Other contaminants, such as lead, can be removed from your water by using a water filter. There are many different types of water filters available on the market. Be sure to choose a filter that is certified to remove the contaminants from your water.

In conclusion, by following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your family’s drinking water is safe. Check your water source and have it tested regularly.  Treat your water if necessary and you will successfully protect your family from the harmful effects of contaminated drinking water.