Why & When To Test Your Water

Well Water Testing Westchester, NY and Surrounding Areas

Clean drinking water is one of the most fundamental human needs, and it’s often one we take for granted. We assume that, because we live in a well-developed country with municipal water systems or country wells, all of our water is safe and healthy straight from the tap. However, there may be something in your water that requires treatment. Westfair offers free, no obligation in-home water analysis and consultation, and a full range of laboratory services, where needed. We’ll help you understand any water quality issues, provide options for treatment and peace of mind.

City Water vs. Well Water:

• City: Although city water (or water taken from a community well) is treated for coliform before it reaches your home, most supplies are still hard and contain chlorine as well as fluoride (most municipal supplies) and some levels of contaminants. Regardless of the water quality when it leaves the plant, water must travel through an aging distribution system or old pipes and can change along the way to your faucet.
• Well Water: Water from the ground is brought into your home and used for drinking, cooking, cleaning and bathing. Owners of private wells are responsible for ensuring that their water is safe from contaminants. Private well water should be checked every year for cleanliness, and the presence of coliform bacteria, nitrates, and any other contaminants of local concern.

Why and when should you test?

An In-Home Water Analysis is one of the best ways to ensure your drinking water is free from impurities that could affect your investments or, more importantly, your health. Other than the standard, yearly testing of your well, here are specific times to consider:

• Moving In: Even if you’ve been given a copy of a previous water analysis, consider having it tested again. The EPA (Environment Protection Agency) recommends testing well water annually to ensure the continued quality of your water.
• Noticeably Hard Water: Cloudy dishes straight out of the dishwasher, white spotting on glasses and flatware. Soap scum on tubs and showers. Hard mineral deposits clogging shower heads. These are the telltale signs that can lead to costly repairs and/or appliance failure.
• Red Water or Stains: Iron and Manganese can accumulate in your plumbing, as well as cause red or black stains in laundry, plumbing fixtures, hair, and dishes.
• New Baby: Especially important if the child will be formula-fed, as most formulas are a powder that is mixed with water. Testing for fluoride is also important as supplementation is often recommended for children to promote healthy teeth and bones. It’s important to know if your water already contains fluoride before you decide on supplements.
• After Disaster: If you’re on a well system, and the taste or color of the water suddenly changes for no known reason, or after any event that could affect surface or groundwater such as, industrial accidents (e.g., chemical spills), extended periods of flooding, lack of well use, or heavy construction.
• Unexplained Health Issues: According to the CDC, the presence of contaminants in water can lead to health issues, including gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people whose immune systems are compromised because of AIDS, chemotherapy, or transplant medications, may be especially susceptible to illness from some contaminants.