Conditions or Nearby Activities | Test for: |
Recurring gastrointestinal illness | Coliform bacteria |
Household plumbing contains lead | pH, lead, copper |
Radon in indoor air or region is radon rich | Radon |
Corrosion of pipes, plumbing | Corrosion, pH, lead |
Nearby areas of intensive agriculture | Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria |
Coal or other mining operations nearby | Metals, pH, corrosion |
Gas drilling operations nearby | Chloride, sodium, barium, strontium |
Dump, junkyard, landfill, factory, gas station, or dry-cleaning operation nearby | Volatile organic compounds, total dissolved solids, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals |
Odor of gasoline or fuel oil, and near gas station or buried fuel tanks | Volatile organic compounds |
Objectionable taste or smell | Hydrogen sulfide, corrosion, metals |
Stained plumbing fixtures, laundry | Iron, copper, manganese |
Salty taste and seawater, or a heavily salted roadway nearby | Chloride, total dissolved solids, sodium |
Scaly residues, soaps don’t later | Hardness |
Rapid wear of water treatment equipment | pH, corrosion |
Water softener needed to treat hardness | Manganese, iron |
Water appears cloudy, frothy, or colored | Color, detergents |
Reasons to Test Your Water