All About The Best Water For Your Home

There are three ways water enters your home. Either from the city, from a well, or from a surface water source like a pond, or a lake.  Let's take a look at all three.

City

The sources of city water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: 

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. 

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. 

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses. 

Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products or industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. 

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. 

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminates in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. 

Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's water, you may wish to have your water tested. 

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

Well Water

Well water should be tested every year. Drinking contaminated water is a health risk. Some contaminants cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. The most common of these in well water is bacteria. 

You or your landlord should test your well water yearly. Private well users are responsible for testing their own water. If you don’t own your home but you use a private well, talk with your landlord about getting your water tested. You can always take a water sample yourself and have it tested. Simply contact us and we will help you. 

You should also test your water when: 

You notice a change in your water, such as taste, color or smell. 

Your well has been flooded. 

You replace any part of your well system. 

Someone in your household is pregnant, nursing or has an unexplained illness and you suspect your water may be at risk. 

You hear that a neighbor’s water is contaminated. 

You live near industrial or agricultural activities. 

If you have had previous contamination problems or are concerned about specific contaminants, you may want to test your well water more often. 

When in doubt, contact Hanish Water. 

Another option is to install a Hanish Water system designed to remove bacteria from your water. These systems are often installed where people get their water for drinking and cooking. 

Coliform tests usually come back as SATISFACTORY or UNSATISFACTORY. If you receive an UNSATISFACTORY report, it may be contaminated. Do not drink the water until it tests SATISFACTORY. Find a different and safe drinking water supply. The immediate action would be either use bottled water, or boil your water for drinking and food preparation. This also includes water used for making ice or coffee, brushing teeth and washing fruits and vegetables you eat raw. 

The other way of solving these problems, is contacting Hanish Water. We are here to assist you with your water needs.