Water Quality Lab Testing

Calcium in water makes our water hard. Hard water can make soaps and detergents less effective, because they are not able to dissolve completely. The sediments that harden after being exposed in the pipes also clog up washrooms with build-up of minerals from dissolving calcium which sticks around on your skin or hair follicles causing dullness and lifelessness when washed – this makes it necessary for more cleaning product than usual! When you wash dishes, clothes or your car with soap that isn’t soluble in water it leaves behind spots. Calcium builds up when there is more than enough liquid present, reducing flow rates for taps or appliances while also shortening heater life spans because these minerals generate scale buildup within them that reduces their efficiency over time

Copper is an essential element for plant and animal life. However, copper contamination of well water may pose a health risk if your water is acidic. The greatest concern is pipe corrosion. Copper pipe corrosion can release copper into your drinking water, which may cause gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea and vomiting. Infants, pregnant women, and people with Wilson’s disease are particularly vulnerable to copper toxicity. If you suspect that your water may be contaminated with copper, you should have it tested by a certified laboratory. Treatment options for copper contamination include using a whole house filter or installing a copper removal system. If you have copper pipes, you can also reduce the risk of corrosion by adding a corrosion inhibitor to your water.

Having a blueish-gray color, lead is a metal that naturally exists on the surface of the Earth. Our environment is full of lead, and much of it originates from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing. Toxic metals such as lead can have serious health effects if they are consumed or inhaled. As a result of lead exposure, children can suffer neurological damage, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Adults who are exposed to lead can also develop kidney damage, high blood pressure, and fertility problems.

When it comes to tap water, lead is a serious problem. Most of the lead in tap water comes from lead pipes. Lead is also found in the water delivery system in places like copper pipes soldered together, faucets, coolers, and valves. It is important to note that brass fixtures commonly contain low lead levels, but the lead can still dissolve into the water, especially when they are new. In older private wells, lead may be present in the “packer” element that helps seal the well above the well screen. Considering the dangers of lead, it’s important to understand where lead comes from in your water.

Sodium and chloride naturally occur in groundwater, but they can also come from human activity. Road salt storage and application, industrial wastes, sewage, fertilizers, water softeners, and proximity to saltwater are some of the things that can elevate the levels of these minerals in drinking water. That can be a concern for people on low-sodium diets, as well as for those who want their water to taste good. High levels of sodium and chloride can also interfere with plants’ ability to take up water, and they can increase the corrosivity of water. If you’re concerned about elevated levels of these minerals in your drinking water, the first step is to identify and eliminate the source of contamination.

Having high chloride levels causes corrosion and shortens the life of pipes, pumps, and water heaters. In drinking water, chloride concentrations exceeding about 250 milligrams per liter usually produce an unpleasant taste. Chloride increases in well water may indicate sewage pollution or road salt, especially if surrounding wells typically contain low levels of chloride. If this is the case, you should also test your water for bacteria.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride occurs naturally in most water sources but is often not enough to prevent tooth decay. There are a number of communities that adjust the fluoride level in their drinking water in order to promote good oral health and prevent tooth decay.

Nitrates are an essential part of the Nitrogen cycle and are necessary for all forms of life. Nitrogen is found in the air, soil, and water and is a key element in the proteins that make up all living things. Nitrates are made by combining nitrogen with oxygen or ozone, and nitrate levels in the environment are increased by the burning of fossil fuels, animal waste, and agricultural fertilizers. Although nitrates are necessary for plant growth, high levels of nitrate in drinking water can be dangerous to human health, especially for infants and pregnant women.

High levels of nitrate in well water often result from improper well construction, well location, overuse of chemical fertilizers, or improper disposal of human and animal waste. Nitrate contamination of wells may be more vulnerable to such contamination after flooding, particularly if the wells are shallow, have been dug or bored. Some sources of nitrate that can enter your well include fertilizers, septic systems, animal feedlots, industrial waste, and food processing waste. High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause serious health problems in infants and young children.