Water Testing in Tampa, FL

When to Test Your Water

Most city drinking water is relatively safe. It may not be perfectly clean, but it should not have the pathogens that might make your family ill. However, there are many cases where city treatment plants are understaffed or poorly maintained and the water is not properly treated after it is tested. Additionally, pipes in your home or in the city cause a variety of added problems in your water that should be tested for.

If you utilize a private water supply or live in a more rural or secluded area, it is vital that you have your water tested as well. The risk of pathogens rises sharply without the regular treatment of a major water system.

If you have not had your water tested recently or you are concerned that there might be a problem, here are common issues that might lead you to test:

• Buying a New Home – Always have the water in a new home tested for bacteria, lead, iron, nitrates, sulfates, pH balance, and other issues that might cause health problems or damage when you move in.
• Lead Issues – If you know for a fact that your home contains old lead pipes, have the water tested regularly. Ideally you should have your lead pipes replaced, but until that happens, make sure all lead is removed from water before drinking or washing by anyone in your family.
• Illness – If there is unexplained illness in your family, especially stomach related illnesses, it may be because of excess bacteria or nitrates in your water.
• Stains and Corrosion – Any time the water in your home causes excess stains or corrosion in your fixtures, you should test for high iron and manganese levels in your water. Other metals may also be in the water such as zinc or copper.
• Odd Smell or Taste – Water should not smell or taste like much of anything. An odd appearance to your water is one thing, but if you notice a strange taste or smell, you should have your water tested for pH imbalance, excess sodium, or high levels of metals.

Types of Water Testing

When you have your water tested, there are a variety of options to choose from. It is a good idea to have your water supply tested once annually during your regular plumbing and water filter maintenance. This annual testing will check things like pH balance, bacteria levels and TDS. If you ever happen to replace any pipes or fix a large plumbing problem in your home, it is also a good idea to perform additional testing.

Metals in your water should be tested for least once every 3–5 years. If you have an infant or small child in the home, it is especially important to have your water tested for high levels of nitrates which can be damaging to their small bodies.

Making the Right Decision

Testing your water is an important step every family should take in ensuring the safety of their drinking water year-round. Contact the Tampa, FL area water testing experts at Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today if you are concerned at all about your home’s water. We can walk you through the test selection process and outline exactly what each of the results mean for your home. If you need extra filtration or changes to your home water supply, we can help you plan out the next steps and provide the service as it is needed.