How to Check Your Drinking Water at Home for Elements

The majority of United States residents use water from a public system that issues annual reports regarding its overall water quality and any notable contaminants. Unfortunately, these widespread tests can only give a big-picture indication of water quality. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, if your water source is private or you've noticed any of a handful of contaminant-indicative symptoms, perhaps at a particular faucet in your house, you should conduct home tests to collect data on your own to ensure optimum taste and health of your drinking water.

Things You'll Need

• Home testing kit

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Test once a year for total dissolved solids -- which may include nitrates and calcium -- and if your well is new or your pipes, pumps or casings are new or newly repaired. Perform nitrate-specific tests in the early months of a pregnancy of an occupant and before bringing newborns home. Check every three years for sulfates, chloride, manganese and iron. Keep records of your test dates. Test more than once a year, as necessary, if sicknesses arise.

• 2

  Cater your tests to your household's symptoms. Perform lead tests if your plumbing contains lead. Test for sodium if your water has a salty taste or your local roads have been overly salted. Check for radon in your water if it has been reported in your community's air. Look for traces of manganese and iron if you use a water softener at home. Save money by performing specific tests as necessary.

• 3

  Contact a state-certified water testing laboratory to conduct your test for the most accurate results. These tests can be conducted in-home and analyzed on-site or delivered to the lab via mail. Gather your sample as instructed in the provided container and follow all directions given by the lab regarding preservation. Return the sample to the lab using express delivery, if necessary, to ensure timely processing; results may be affected if too much time passes between sample collection and processing.

• 4

  Purchase a water testing kit for home use. Choose between multiple- and single-use sets, which vary in price. Look for home testing kits at pharmacies, hardware stores, home centers or any general retail store. Collect a sample as directed according to package instructions. Dip the test strips in your collected sample or follow the enclosed directions regarding testing procedures.