How healthy is your Water?

I never used to think about the water coming out of the taps in my home. I took it for granted that it had been treated so we could happily use it for cooking, making tea and coffee, drinking and cleaning our teeth. It’s strange that when we travel abroad, we’re advised to, and do, routinely drink bottled water yet never think to challenge what comes through the taps in our own homes or places of work.

Lead poisoning can have some long- term effects on health and once lead
is in our bodies it cannot be removed. If lead leaches into drinking water it can lead to systemic and development problems in both adults and children. Water is a fundamental part of life, it makes up about two thirds of our body weight and to remain hydrated, the Department of Health recommends we drink at least 1.2 liters of it every day. It’s one of the things we consume most of and can be a great source of vital minerals and trace elements, so it’s important that what we are drinking is good for us!

Both private and main water resources are also subject to climate vagaries and a growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions can have a real effect on quantity
and quality of supplies. As farming intensifies there is also the constant risk of pollutants such as fertilizer's and pesticides entering rivers, lakes and groundwater sources.
So how often should you check your water supply? I test mine at least once a year, but there are tell-tale signs and occasions when it’s advisable to check out your supply.

• If you have a private water source
• If you’re moving to a new property
• If water appears discolored, or has 
a strange taste or smell
• If your water causes stains on 
laundry or fixtures
• If you know or suspect that you 
may have lead pipes give us a call aaacityplumbing.com
• If water supply equipment, eg. pumps and chlorinators, are wearing rapidly
• If water-dependent household appliances don’t appear to be working effectively
• If you have installed a water softener or some sort of filtering system to ensure it is working correctly.

I think  everyone could be responsible for regularly checking their own water supply as we can’t continue to assume that what our water supplier delivers is clean and safe.
I would always test the water before moving to a new property, as well as annual checking to ensure no contamination has occurred since. You’d not think twice about checking water safety while abroad so it makes sense to keep an eye on things closer to home.
Regular testing of water at home, work or community centers does not have to be expensive, there is a range of easy-to-use and easily understood water testing kits available for both urban and private water supplies.  We want to be " your plumber for life" so as always you can call 704-544-1909.