Water sustains life, it’s as simple as that. That’s why knowing if your tap water is clean and safe to drink is so important for your health. You can determine the safety of your drinking water by knowing the signs of contamination and what might be causing it.
A common cause of contamination in modern water systems is backflow. This is when pressure is reversed in the system causing clean water to mix with untreated or dirty water. It can be hard to tell if you have a backflow problem specifically, but the first thing to look for are contaminates in the water.
Visual Signs:
- Milky water: This is a very general indicator and one of the first things to look for. It means there is anything from methane gas to foreign particulates suspended in the water.
- Reddish brown water: Iron, dirt, or rust in the water will turn it this color. The water will also smell metallic or earthy.
- White deposits in kettles, pans, showers and appliances: This indicates you have hard water. In certain areas, water percolates naturally though limestone, dolomite or chalk deposits, taking with it high quantities of calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not harmful to drink but can clog shower heads, faucets, coffee makers, and water purifies.
- Foamy or sudsy water: According to an Edmonton drain cleaning specialist from Need-A-Plumber Canada, foamy water could indicate a surfactant, like detergent or diluted sewage, in the water.
Olfactory Clues:
- Bleach like or chlorine odor: This indicates there is chlorine or other chemical contaminates present.
- Detergent smell: A foaming agent or surfactant will give water a detergent like smell. To test it further, agitate the water to see if it foams or bubbles excessively.
- Musty, sweet, pungent, or earthy smell: This indicates organic matter is present.
- Oil or gas smell: This indicates that volatile organic compounds are present. In extreme cases this can be a fire hazard, so be cautious.
- Rotten egg smell: The smell of rotten eggs can come from two sources, the presence of Hydrogen sulfide or sulfur in the water. Both are dangerous and indicate severe contamination.
Knowing what to look for will help you stay healthy and keep your family safe. If you suspect your water is contaminated, notify your local public water authority immediately and have your system checked for backflow problems. When it comes to the water you drink, you can never be too safe.
