Does your drinking water taste good, or does it have a funny taste? Taste really isn’t an indicator of whether or not your drinking water is pure or safe to drink. Public water utility companies are required to comply with standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but even keeping pollutants within acceptable ranges doesn’t mean the water will taste the way you would like. Conversely, if your water comes from a well, there could be a host of things wrong with it, and you might be completely unaware. In any of these cases, the results you may get from a water testing lab could be very eye-opening.
Samples are submitted and tests are run for a number of pollutants. The mineral content is also checked. When the tests are completed, a report is sent detailing the findings. If your water passes the bar, it is up to you and your taste buds as to whether or not you want to continue to drink it.
If the sample does not meet your expectations, you can contact your water utility company with the water testing lab results and ask what they can do about it. You can also look into having your own filtration system installed in your home, if you obtain your water from a well. Another option is to have drinking water brought to your home from an outside source.
Having your water tested is always a good idea, because at least you can make an informed decision on how to proceed. If you are dissatisfied with the smell or taste of your water, talk to your water utility company to see what options you have.