When purchasing a property with a cistern or a well water testing is an important step in ensuring that your water is safe. If the property is hooked up to the municipal water supply than the municipal water is tested at the source or treatment plant, but water quality can change as it travels through aging pipes or your home’s plumbing. Heavy metals like lead or copper can leach from old infrastructure, which municipal tests might not reflect at your tap! This is why testing the water supply at the home is the most prudent way to to be sure what is in the water and protect your health!
We provide comprehensive water testing to ensure your water is safe and healthy for you and your family. Our standard water test costs $100 and covers the following parameters:
- pH: Measures the acidity or alkalinity of your water. Proper pH levels are crucial for health, taste, and to prevent corrosion of pipes.
- Total Alkalinity/Carbonate: Indicates the water’s ability to neutralize acids, stabilizing pH and protecting plumbing from damage.
- Total Hardness: Assesses the concentration of calcium and magnesium, which affects water taste, soap efficiency, and potential scale buildup in appliances.
- Zinc: Checks for zinc levels, which in high amounts can affect taste and health, though it’s also an essential trace element.
- Sodium Chloride: Measures salt content, which can impact taste and be a concern for those on low-sodium diets or with specific health conditions.
- Free Chlorine/Bromine: Detects residual disinfectants used to kill bacteria, ensuring safety but avoiding excessive levels that affect taste or health.
- Iron: Identifies iron presence, which can cause staining, metallic taste, and potential health issues if too high.
- Copper: Monitors copper levels, which can leach from pipes and lead to health risks or a metallic taste if elevated.
- Lead: Tests for this toxic heavy metal, which can cause serious health issues, especially in children, if present in drinking water.
- Mercury: Checks for this highly toxic metal, which can accumulate in the body and cause neurological damage.
- Nitrate: Measures nitrogen compounds that can indicate contamination from fertilizers or sewage, posing risks especially to infants.
- Nitrite: Assesses another nitrogen compound, which can be harmful in high concentrations, particularly affecting oxygen transport in the blood.
- Total Chlorine: Evaluates the total chlorine (free and combined), ensuring disinfection effectiveness without overexposure.
- Manganese: Detects this metal, which can cause discoloration and health concerns if levels are too high.
- Sulfate: Measures sulfate levels, which can affect taste and, in high amounts, cause digestive issues.
- Fluoride: Checks for fluoride, beneficial in small amounts for dental health but potentially harmful if excessively high.
The enhanced water test is for private water supplies such as a well or cistern and costs $200. This includes the above test along with a sample taken and sent to public health which tests for E. coli and total coliforms, which are bacterial indicators of contamination. The enhanced test can only be done Sunday, Mon, Tue, Wed.
This service is only offered to clients doing a home or building inspection and not available as a stand alone service.
