Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Drinking Water Testing Is Essential

By Minnie Whitley


Water quality is increasingly becoming sensitive especially with the fast rate of industrialization and urbanization. The importance of drinking water testing cannot be taken for granted anymore. There are many factors that come into play in H2O distribution. Some of these factors include; ageing distribution systems, contamination at the source and the plumbing nature at our homes.

We can never rely on observation to determine if H2O is safe for drinking. Factors that one should check to determine the quality are not always visible. Again some of the effects of taking contaminated H2O are obvious while others are not. Due to this factor a source may not be conducive but people continue using it because the consequences are not instant. Professionals in water quality need to be careful on public supplies to avoid pandemics triggered by taking contaminated H2O.

It is a concern that some people claim to determine the quality of their drinking H2O. This involves mere observations and using senses which may not be reliable. This is because senses can only identify those impurities that are visible, those that have unappetizing taste and smelly. For instance the presence of sulfur or excess chlorine is determined by a pungent rotten smell.

Taking contaminated H2O can lead to adverse health effects. The effects can range from mild to severe ones like stomach ache, typhoid, cramps and diarrhea. The intensity of the impact on health is determined by amount of impurity present in the H2O, the period of time it has been present and amount of the contaminated water one takes.

There are seven main reasons why testing should not be ignored especially among homeowners using springs, wells, and cisterns for H2O supply. To begin with people should be aware that testing private water supply is completely voluntary unlike public H2O that is tested by local government. There is no government program or agencies that test private water supply hence it is entirely the responsibility of the user to determine if it is safe for consumption.

It is sad to note that most private supply systems are never analyzed at all. Latest survey has indicated that more than half of the private supplies are not tested. People should be enlightened on the importance of testing and their impacts of taking contaminated H2O. In many countries the testing is economical and convenient. The governments of various countries have made the test services more convenient by establishing a variety of analysis laboratories throughout the country.

It is also important to carry out a test on H2O met for drinking because majority of the pollutants that are found in our sources and supply systems may not have obvious and direct effects. One may not get sick today but the long term effect can be fatal. The information from the analyses is helpful to future generations because they can always use it as a point of reference.

Unless past tests have indicated that the H2O is safe do not assume it is. An analysis is the only thing that should make you reasonably confident of the quality. If you ever realize that H2O has a different color, sheen, taste and smell, use an alternative source.




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