When going to the kitchen for a glass of water, do any of us really spend much time thinking about it? Do we wonder about the amount of engineering it took to bring that stream of cool water up from the ground, through a complex series of pipes and tubes, and out the faucet to the glass? No, we turn it on, fill it up, and are on our way. For some, it just doesn’t cross their minds until the day that an odd smell hits their nose when the knob is turned.
The fact is that periodic testing of your water is an extremely important part of home maintenance. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates city drinking water to make sure that it is safe by testing frequently and informing the public if there is any problem with the source. The average homeowner, however, has well water instead of ‘city’ water. Therefore, it is recommended that testing be done at least once a year by the National Ground Water Association to look for contaminants that can find their way into your well. If you do notice an unusual smell, color, or clarity in your water, it might be necessary to test more often.
Your water can be affected in a lot of different ways. Magnesium, iron, calcium, copper, and magnesium are common enough in our ground water and not necessarily considered a danger. These minerals can get into the well water over time through any rocks, soil, or ores in the ground or through pipes that run from the well to the home. However, there are certain contaminants that can affect your family’s health. Contamination can happen when gas, oil, or other man-made substances seep into the soil. Road salt as well as, sewage, lead, animal waste, and fertilizers can also seep into a well through the soil.
Contaminated drinking water can lead to serious illness. Hepatitis, dysentery, and E. coli have been linked to untreated ground water. Certain types of cancer have also been linked to frequent exposure to some of these contaminants.
If you could protect your family by simply testing your water, wouldn’t you do it? Parkway Pest Services offers yearly water testing for homeowners and testing upon request if you suspect an issue with your well. Remember, when you are buying or selling a home, it is important to make sure that the water supply is safe when determining value. Give Parkway Services a call and ask how we can help keep your drinking water safe.