Tap water analysis
Water is obviously an essential resource for life, but it has also become a public health issue. It’s through water that many pathogens are transmitted, so it’s always important to have your tap water tested, for the safety of the whole family.
- Why have your tap water tested?
- Who should I contact to have my tap water analyzed?
- Why have your tap water tested?
Many Canadian households choose to drink their tap water directly. In the majority of cases and situations, this presents no health risk, but it is recommended that you have your tap water analyzed before drinking it, to avoid a number of harmful consequences. Firstly, because each region has its own water with very different characteristics, linked to its origin, the natural environment and the human activities carried out in the region of residence.
Having your water tested is therefore first and foremost a protective measure, which in most cases will enable you to drink from your tap without risk.
It’s also a good way of finding out about the other properties of the water you drink, such as its lime content, so you can set acceptable limits. Last but not least, if you do it regularly, you’ll be able to detect any bacterial infections and take proactive measures.
Some recommendations for drinking tap water
While it’s absolutely essential to have your tap water analyzed to gain as much knowledge as possible about what you’re ingesting, it’s just as important to make sure you follow certain consumption recommendations. For example, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of letting the water run for several seconds before consuming it, and even one or two minutes if you’re away for a long time. This will remove any water that has been stagnating in the pipes for several days, and is therefore potentially infected with micro-organisms.
Furthermore, it’s always best to use only cold water for drinking, food preparation and cooking. If the temperature is too high, metal particles from the pipes tend to be transferred to the water you drink. It can also lead to bacterial proliferation. So prefer cold water and heat it up later. Finally, if you notice a pronounced chlorine taste in your water, leave it in an open carafe in the fridge for several hours.
This is where it becomes important to call in a water analysis professional to have your tap water analyzed. Indeed, if your home is located in an area close to industry or agricultural fields, or if you have any doubts about the quality of the water, whether it has an unusual color, turbidity or taste, or simply want to be sure of the quality of your water before you give it to your children to drink.