Drinking Water
AN INTRODUCTION TO DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Drinking water is an essential resource that is required for maintaining the health and well-being of individuals. It is important to ensure that the quality of drinking water meets the safety standards set by regulatory bodies. Drinking water quality can be affected by a range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and chemicals, among others. This article aims to discuss the importance of testing and monitoring the quality of drinking water, the contaminants that should be tested for, and the benefits of using laboratories to carry out testing.
WHY IS DRINKING WATER QUALITY TESTING IMPORTANT?
Drinking water quality testing is crucial to ensure that the water is safe for consumption. The quality of drinking water can be affected by natural and human-made contaminants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses. Exposure to these contaminants can have adverse health effects, ranging from short-term illnesses to long-term chronic diseases. Therefore, testing and monitoring the quality of drinking water is essential to prevent potential health risks associated with contaminated water.
WHICH CONTAMINANTS SHOULD BE TESTED FOR IN DRINKING WATER?
Drinking water should be tested for a range of contaminants, including microbiological, chemical, and physical contaminants. Some of the commonly tested contaminants in drinking water include:
Bacteria and Viruses: These microorganisms can cause a range of illnesses, including diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Common bacteria and viruses found in water include E. coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium.
Heavy Metals: Heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and mercury, can have toxic effects on the human body. Exposure to high levels of heavy metals can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, and liver.
Chemicals: Chemicals, such as chlorine, fluoride, and nitrate, can be found in drinking water. Exposure to high levels of these chemicals can have adverse health effects.
BENEFITS OF USING LABORATORIES TO CARRY OUT DRINKING WATER TESTING
Using laboratories to carry out drinking water testing has several benefits, including:
Accurate and Reliable Results: Laboratories use state-of-the-art equipment and standardized testing methods to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable.
Compliance with Regulatory Standards: Laboratories ensure that the testing is carried out in compliance with regulatory standards set by organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Expert Support and Advice: Laboratories can provide expert support and advice on how to interpret the test results and recommend appropriate actions if contamination is found.
EXAMPLES OF DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION
Several examples of drinking water testing have been carried out in various parts of the world. For instance, a study conducted in Flint, Michigan, found that the drinking water was contaminated with lead, which had adverse health effects on the residents. Another study conducted in Bangladesh found that drinking water in some regions was contaminated with arsenic, which posed a significant health risk to the residents.
HOW LABORATORIES CAN SUPPORT CUSTOMERS WITH DRINKING WATER TESTING
Laboratories can support customers with drinking water testing in several ways, including:
Sample Collection: Laboratories can provide guidance on how to collect water samples and ensure that the samples are collected in a manner that does not compromise the integrity of the sample.
Analysis: Laboratories use state-of-the-art equipment and standardized testing methods to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable.
Interpretation and Reporting: Laboratories can provide expert support and advice on how to interpret the test results and recommend appropriate actions if contamination is found.
CONCLUSION
Drinking water is an essential resource that should be safe for consumption. However, the quality of drinking water can be affected by a range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and
Introduction to Drinking Water Testing
Independent laboratories can offer a range of services for the sampling, analysis and monitoring of drinking water:
Laboratory Water Testing & Analysis Expert analysis of drinking water samples for metals, chemicals, and microbiological parameters.
Mains Fed Tap Water Analysis Comprehensive testing suite covering metal and chemical parameters specifically designed for mains fed water systems.
Private Water Supply Testing Comprehensive testing suite covering metal and chemical parameters specifically designed for private water supplies, wells, and borehole fed water systems.
Microbiological Water Analysis Advanced analysis for various microbial parameters, including coliforms, E. coli, total viable count (TVC), enterococci, sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB), legionella, and pseudomonas.
Monitoring & Validation Utilization of state-of-the-art laboratory and in-field water analysis equipment to monitor and validate the performance of water treatment programs against regulatory standards.
In-Field Sampling Expert water sampling conducted in the field by our qualified professionals.
Identifying Tap Water Contaminants
If you receive water from a utility company and have concerns about the potential contaminants that may affect its quality between the public mains and your property's taps, it is crucial to examine how you treat your water.
This involves assessing the type of water distribution systems, the materials used (such as lead, copper, plastic), particularly in the pipes and storage tanks. Properties that have not undergone renovations since 1970 may have lead pipes, which can pose health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.
Other common contaminants in drinking water include corrosion by-products resulting from copper corrosion or rusting cast iron pipes. These can lead to elevated levels of iron, copper, or manganese, causing water discoloration and surface staining in various areas.
Microbiological contaminants like Legionella bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can also affect water quality, especially in building water distribution systems, potentially causing severe health issues.
Testing Private Water Supplies Private water supplies, such as wells, springs, boreholes, or rivers, generally do not undergo the same intensive water treatment processes employed by utility companies for mains drinking water.
In the worst-case scenario, private water sources may contain bacteria, viruses, and a range of chemical or metal contaminants. Concerns often arise regarding fecal contamination, particularly in rural and agricultural areas where animal presence may pollute local water courses.
This can lead to hazardous contamination by organisms like E. coli and Salmonella. Additionally, elevated levels of nitrates, nitrites, sulphates, and sulphides caused by the intensive use of commercial fertilizers or sewage contamination can occur in such areas.
Regular drinking water testing ensures that the measures taken to treat the water are effective and that any unwanted contaminants remain within safe limits set by the government. If you rely on a private water supply, periodic testing is highly recommended.
Drinking Water Testing Methods
If you are concerned about a specific contaminant in your drinking water, such as lead or bacteria, you may consider using simple test strips or dip slides for quick and cost-effective testing. However, these methods only provide limited information and may not detect other critical issues.
For a comprehensive evaluation, it is recommended to have your tap water tested by experts that can conduct specialized laboratory tests to identify specific microbiological, metal, and chemical contaminants and determine their concentrations according to government regulations. A detailed report will be provided, highlighting any contaminants of concern and allowing you to take appropriate measures to mitigate risks.
Standard Compliance Tests for Potable Water Our standard compliance suite of tests for potable (drinking) water offers a thorough assessment of overall water quality for general drinking applications. These tests include:
General colony microbial counts after 2 and 3 days
Clostridium perfringens (confirmed)
Total coliforms
E. coli
Conductivity
pH
Turbidity
Ammonium
Nitrite
Nitrate
Odor
Taste
Aluminium
Iron
Manganese
Color
Testing Mains Fed Water Supplies (Chemical & Metal) Our standard suite of tests for mains fed water supplies covers various chemical and metal parameters, including:
Chloride
Conductivity
Copper
Hardness
Iron
Lead
Alkalinity
Manganese
pH
Phosphate
TDS
Testing Private Water Supplies & Boreholes (Chemical & Metal) Our standard suite of tests for private water supplies, wells, boreholes, lakes, and rivers covers various chemical and metal parameters, including:
Chloride
Conductivity
Copper
Hardness
Iron
Lead
Alkalinity
Manganese
Nitrate
Nitrite
pH
Phosphate
Sulphate
Sulphide
TDS
Implementing Drinking Water Treatment Techniques
Once you receive a detailed drinking water analysis report, outlining the quality and identified issues, you can plan for improving your water quality or seek alternative water sources if necessary. The selection of treatment techniques depends on the specific contaminants detected.
For instance, if high bacteria levels are found, UV light or approved disinfectants may be recommended for effective disinfection. If corrosion in the pipes causes water discoloration, replacing the pipes could be the best solution. Filtration systems may be added at the point of entry or directly at the drinking water taps to remove other contaminants.
Remember, it is essential to conduct specialist drinking water testing before making any changes to ensure accurate assessment of water quality.
Ongoing Water Quality Testing & Analysis
After implementing improvements to your water supply, it is crucial to retest the water using the same methods to obtain an accurate comparison of water quality before and after the changes. Regular water testing is also recommended to ensure consistent water quality maintenance.