- Check local drinking water reports to ensure tap water is safe and contaminant-free.
- Test the home’s tap water regularly with home test kits, professional testing facilities, or by boiling/adding chlorine bleach/UV light.
- Fix plumbing issues quickly to prevent potential health risks from contaminated drinking water.
- Invest in at-home purifiers/filters to remove specific pollutants from untreated sources.
- Professional plumbers can help detect & solve problems with the home’s drinking water supply.
Clean water is essential for a healthy lifestyle, and having access to it at home is paramount to leading a life of good health. Staying hydrated or practicing hygiene without clean water can be challenging. Access to clean water at home helps prevent contagious diseases and illnesses.
A recent report by the United Nations estimates that over 844 million people worldwide don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. Unsafe drinking water is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to WHO (World Health Organization), 1 in 10 people lack access to safe water, and more than 3 billion people lack access to basic sanitation facilities.
Moreover, a lack of safe drinking water can lead to dehydration, which can cause fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and other physical symptoms. Poor sanitation due to the lack of clean water also contributes to higher rates of infectious disease transmission, such as diarrhea and typhoid fever. The World Bank has reported that 88% of diarrheal deaths are directly linked to unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene practices.
Having access to clean water is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few tips to help you make sure the water in your home is safe and clean:
Check the Local Drinking Water Report
Clean drinking water is essential for good health, and checking the local drinking water report is the best way to ensure that the water in your home is safe and clean. The local drinking water report provides information on tap water quality, so you can be sure it meets safety standards. It also includes information on potential contaminants in the water, such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, or pesticides.
In many cases, these contaminants can pose a serious health risk if ingested or used for cleaning and hygienic purposes. By regularly checking the local drinking water report, you can determine if any of these contaminants are in your area and take steps to protect yourself from them.
It’s also essential to check for lead levels in your local tap water. Lead poisoning can cause serious health problems—especially in children—so it’s necessary to test for lead levels regularly. Knowing what’s in your water allows you to make informed decisions about keeping yourself and your family safe.
Having access to clean and safe drinking water is vital for good health. Checking the local drinking water report helps ensure that you have access to safe and clean tap water at home–and that you’re not putting yourself or your family at risk by unknowingly consuming contaminated or unsafe water. By checking this vital resource regularly, you can help protect yourself and your family from potential health risks associated with poor-quality tap water.
Test Your Water
Clean, safe drinking water is essential for living a healthy lifestyle and protecting yourself and your family from potential health risks associated with contaminated or unsafe tap water. Access to clean water at home can help prevent illnesses such as diarrhea and typhoid fever, keep you hydrated, and reduce the risk of lead poisoning—especially in children. It’s essential to regularly test your home’s tap water to ensure that it meets safety standards and is free from contaminants. Here are a few ways to test the quality of water in your home:
Home Water Test Kits
Home water test kits are easy and inexpensive to check tap water quality. These kits contain specialized tests that measure the contaminants in your water, such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, or pesticides. The results will show you if there are any potential health risks associated with drinking or using tap water for cleaning or hygienic purposes. Home test kits typically provide fast results within minutes to several hours, depending on the type of kit you purchase.
Professional Testing Facilities
Use a professional testing facility accredited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more accurate results. Professional testing facilities can identify a wide range of contaminants in your tap water and provide a detailed analysis of its quality. Results usually take 1-2 days; however, they provide more comprehensive information about potential pollutants than a home testing kit. It’s important to note that professional testing services may be expensive compared to home test kits.
At-Home Filters & Purifiers
At-home filters and purifiers can remove specific contaminants from your tap supply system. Still, they won’t remove all pollutants from untreated drinking sources like metals (lead) or bacteria (E Coli). To eliminate these contaminants from your drinking source, consider purchasing an at-home filter and purifier system designed explicitly for removing specific pollutants from untreated sources like metals, chlorine, lead, etc.
Alternate Testing Kits
Alternate testing kits such as boiling water, adding chlorine bleach, or using ultraviolet (UV) light can be used to test tap water quality. Boiling tap water effectively kills bacteria and other microorganisms but may not remove lead. Adding liquid chlorine bleach to tap water kills most bacteria but does not eliminate heavier metals like lead. UV light effectively destroys microorganisms, although professional laboratory analysis is necessary for a comprehensive evaluation.
Fixing Plumbing Issues
It’s essential to fix any plumbing problems as soon as possible, as they can contaminate your home’s drinking water supply. Poorly installed pipes or worn-out fixtures can cause contaminants to enter the water supply, leading to potential health risks. Repairing plumbing issues immediately and consulting a professional if necessary is essential.
Getting a professional plumber to check and fix plumbing issues regularly can help ensure that your home’s drinking water is safe and clean. They can identify any potential problems and help you find a solution.
Final Thoughts
Ensuring your home is equipped with clean, safe drinking water is essential for protecting yourself and your family from health risks associated with contaminated or unsafe tap water. The steps outlined above can help ensure you have access to clean, safe drinking water at home. By staying informed and taking action, you can help protect yourself and your family from potential illnesses caused by unsafe drinking water.
