My water looks, smells and tastes great, why do I need a water  test?
Because it's quite possible to be drinking contaminated water  for years without knowing it. Often the most harmful contaminants have no  obvious odors, colors or tastes.
 
The government tests the  water and gave me a clean report. Why should I test it?
Because there are  many ways that water can become contaminated between the treatment plant and  your faucet. Water must be tested at the point of use.

What  should I test for? If there are so many risks, doesn't it just make sense to get  my water tested for EVERYTHING?
While it is certainly possible to test for  everything, this approach is very impractical because it is an expensive and  time -consuming process. (Imagine going to the doctor and having him test you for  EVERYTHING imaginable rather than assessing your symptoms, history and  lifestyle.)

The EPA recommends that everyone test for coliform bacteria,  nitrate and lead. We provide packages that include these vital contaminants as  well as other common indicators of contamination.

The best approach is to  look at indicators of a problem, and  then start with basic, GENERAL tests. If the basic tests come out fine, you're  done! If the basic tests show trouble, you can proceed from there and order a  more specific test to pinpoint your problem.

If you are unsure where to  begin, or have a specific problem or concern, just call our technical assistance  line at (610) 929-2920, and a laboratory technician will be happy to help  you.

I have a private well, that  was tested when it was installed, why should I test?
Because contaminants seep into groundwater and can affect your  drinking supply and this can change without your awareness. Well water must be  tested on a regular basis.

Doesn't Mother Nature purify water on her own?
Yes. As rain trickles through the ground, it does become  cleaner. Wetlands also help remove impurities. Unfortunately, wetlands are being  diminished. Gas stations, shopping malls, grazing, mining, oil exploration,  forestry; all impair nature's ability to purify water. Some large sources of  water have become reservoirs for pollution. This occurs as sediments in rivers  and lakes retain toxic chemicals from years gone by, and as they absorb new  chemicals being dumped. Large bodies of water can absorb pollution from the air  when particulate matter in rain and snow is deposited in them. The Great Lakes  may have acquired as much as half of their pollutants from aerial  sources.

Why can't I just buy a  water filter? After all, it doesn't hurt to be too careful!
Because there is NO ONE filter that will correct EVERY water  problem. For example, you can filter out minerals and still have bacteria. In  fact, a cheap filter can become so loaded with bacteria in a few weeks that what  comes out of it may be worse than what came in. If your water needs treatment,  it must be treated for your specific problem.

I  have a filter. How do I know if it's working?
You don't. It is  almost impossible to say before installing the system and sending the filtered  water to a testing company for verification. Variations of water condition can  affect the performance of a filter. Maintenance issues within your filter can  also change its effectiveness. The only way to know if your filter is working is  to have your water tested on an ongoing basis.

I  can get a FREE water test from any company that sells filters, why should I PAY  for a water test?
Because those companies are not in the water  testing business, they are in the business of selling water filters. This  creates a conflict of interests, and you may wind up spending money to treat a  problem that doesn't exist. It is best to use an independent, certified lab, and  deal directly with that lab. This way, there is no conflict of interests.  Suburban Water testing does not sell water treatment products, nor are they  affiliated with anyone who does. 
 
I  don't live in a heavily polluted area, what could possibly contaminate my  drinking water?
There are many potential causes of water  contamination. Here are just a few things that could be near you:
 Mines
 Gas Stations
 Industrial Facilities
 Old Cemeteries
 Farm  fields
 Dumps
 Improper disposal of paints, motor oils, etc. on  private land's
 Recreational use of the public water supply.
 Lead  pipes in the home.
 Septic Systems
 Acid Rain
 Decaying Matter or  other natural contamination
 Etc.
Water can travel hundres of miles in  underground rivers or aquifiers.

How  many types of contamination are there?
While there are  many specific types of contamination, it can be sorted out into four  broadcategories: Different types of contamination require different  solutions.
 Microbial Pollutants (Such as bacteria.)
 Inorganic  Chemical Pollutants (IOCs) (Usually of mineral origin.)
 Organic Chemical  Pollutants (Man made chemicals.)
 Radiological Pollutants (Radioactivity.)

Why do  environmentalists worry about finding a few parts per billion of some rare  chemical?
They worry because tiny amounts of certain  contaminants may slowly cause cancer or other diseases over a lifetime. Often  water with a low level of contamination may have no adverse affect on healthy  adults, but it can cause SEVERE symptoms in babies, children, the elderly, or  people with compromised immune systems. Why risk irreversible damage when it is  so easy to test your water?

I  don't understand what a part per billion is. Can you clarify  this?
Most of the chemical data that is reported for water is  expressed as a concentration: a mass of chemical per unit volume of water .
In VERY basic conceptual terms:
One-Part-Per-Million can be thought of as  -- one inch in 16 miles or one cent in $10,000.
One-Part-Per-Billion can be  thought of as -- one silver dollar in a roll of silver dollars stretching from  Detroit to Salt Lake City, or one second of time in 32 years.
It is EXTREMELY  MISLEADING to interpret these analogies to minimize the magnitude of the risks.  Miniscule amounts of certain contaminants can poison water.

I don't have a science  background, how will I manage to do a home test kit?
All of our kits simply involve collecting water samples. The  directions are easy to understand and follow. The lab will do the rest .Click here to see a sample kit and its  instructions.

I'm not sure I'll be able to  understand my water report once I get one.
Our tests are  designed to be easy to understand. Click here to see a sample report.

My  water doesn't taste good, yet it tested out O.K. What does this  mean?
There are two types of water problems:  Primary problems -- the dangerous sort of problem and Aesthetic problems --  things that affect the taste, look or smell of the water. Strange as it may  seem, you could have an aesthetic problem (such as detectable chlorine) which  may not pose an actual health risk.
 
What do I do if I find out my water is unsafe?
Because there are  many different types of problems each must be addressed separately. The general  procedure you should follow is:
1. Switch to bottled water for consumption  until you have the problem solved. (Consumption isn't just drinking, it's  cooking, washing produce, making ice cubes, water for pets, etc.)
2. Call  your County or State Health Department for specific information and instructions  on how to treat the problem.
3. Track down the SOURCE of the contamination.
4. Once you have addressed the problem, have FOLLOW UP TESTING done on a  regular basis.
 
I'm afraid that if I  find a problem with my water from a company that isn't in the filter business, I  won't be able to solve the problem.
Suburban Water  Testing makes sure that you not only understand any problems that you find, but  we are happy to discuss available water treatment solutions or technologies  available without endorsing any particular brands. This gives you the best of  both worlds, solid information and freedom of choice.