Using Home Water Quality Test Kits to Ensure Good Health and Wellness By Dr. Karnita Golson-Garner, Extension Environmental Specialist

The safety of drinking water in Alabama's urban centers is becoming a critical issue. Although public water supplies are tested and regulated to ensure safety, there is still increasing public concern. While there are many contributory factors, increases in non-point source pollution are largely responsible. According to Godbey (2008), many public drinking water supplies are laced with chemicals that are difficult to treat. Contaminants like heavy metals, pathogens, and pesticides are linked to acute and chronic human health problems ranging from neurological disorders to cancer. This is even more disturbing for those with small, private, and unregulated water supplies.

Notably, the presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. However, in order to ensure good health and wellness we must begin to lead a more environmentally conscious life. As homeowners we should work to promote environmental wellness, and a way to start is by testing the quality of the water in our homes.

"Water quality" is a technical term that describes the microbial, biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of water. It is based upon state and federal guidelines that describe what is suitable for human consumption and domestic use (USEPA, 2004). Even though testing is common, most homeowners assume they need special training or lots of money to test the water in their home. Actually, neither is required and a variety of companies offer inexpensive ($10 to $199) water testing kits that can be purchased at home improvement stores. Most of the kits contain everything you need to find out if your water contains unsafe levels of contaminants. It is important to follow the instructions carefully and to remember that acceptable contaminant levels vary widely among individuals and population groups (Zaslow & Herman, 1996).

What types of home water quality test kits are available?

• Test strips are inexpensive, chemical-free tests that offer quick results.
• Color comparators are more efficient than test strips and provide color-coded results that identify contaminants.
• Electronic colorimeters are the most expensive and efficient of the tests and remove many of the problems associated with human interpretation.

What types of contaminants can home water quality test kits detect?

Contaminants	EPA MCLs/MCLGs	Associated Health Effects
Bacteria	None	Diarrhea, vomiting and cramps
Lead	< 15 ppb	Hypertension, neurological and reproductive problems
Pesticides	< 3 ppb (Atrazine); < 4 ppb (Simazine)	Birth defects, cancer and nerve damage
Nitrates	< 10.0 ppm	Blue baby syndrome
Nitrites	< 1.0 ppm	Blue baby syndrome
Chlorine	< 4 ppm	Eye/nose irritation, stomach discomfort, and possibly cancer
pH	Between 6.5 to 8.5	Aesthetic effects (taste)
Hardness	50-150 mg/ CaCO3/L/100mL	Skin irritation
Note: MCL = maximum contaminant level; MCLG = maximum contaminant level goal; ppb = parts per billion; ppm = parts per million

What should I do if I observe unsafe contaminant levels in my drinking water?
Notify your local health department or waste water treatment facility if unsafe contaminant levels are observed. Water purification systems and filters may also be installed to remove certain contaminants from your municipal and/or private water supplies. Request a copy of the local annual consumer confidence report to learn more about the quality of your water. More information on water contaminants can also be found online at www.epa.gov.

Supporting efforts that protect water resources is a great way to ensure good health and wellness.

Godbey, C. (2008). Council studies Decatur utilities plan for stricter industrial waste water regulations. Decatur Daily News. Retrieved January 13, 2010.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2009, December 30). Drinking water health advisories. Water Quality Criteria. Retrieved January 13, 2009.

Water Testing Blog.com. (2009, April 20). Benefits of different water testing methods. Water Testing Blog. Retrieved January 13, 2010.

Zaslow, S. A., & Herman, G. M. (1996). Health effects of drinking water contaminants. Water Quality and Waste Management. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved January 13, 2010.

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