which test to run
- » Family members have recurrent bouts of diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress: coliform bacteria and/or total microbe, nitrate, and sulfate.
- » You use a private well: coliform bacteria and/or total microbe and nitrate twice a year, chlorine, iron, hardness once a year.
- » You use a public water supply: coliform bacteria and/or total microbe and nitrate once a year.
- » At the beginning of pregnancy, before the baby is brought home and during the baby’s first 6 months (risk of “Blue Baby Syndrome”): nitrate.
- » Household plumbing contains lead pipes, fittings or solder joints: pH, lead, copper, zinc.
- » You are moving into a new home or apartment: coliform bacteria and/or total microbe, nitrate, lead, hardness, pH, sulfate, TDS.
- » A water softener is needed to treat hard water: hardness.
- » To monitor the efficiency and performance of home water treatment equipment and filters: coliform bacteria and/or total microbe and specific problems that were being treated.
- » Water stains on laundry and plumbing fixtures: iron, copper, and hardness.
- » Water has an objectionable taste or smell: hydrogen sulfide, sulfur bacteria, copper, lead, iron, zinc, and chloride.
- » Pipes or plumbing show signs of corrosion: pH, iron, hardness, copper, zinc.
- » Water leaves a scaly residue and soap scum: hardness.
- » You are traveling/camping (unsure of water source): total microbe.
- » You live near an agricultural area: coliform bacteria, nitrate, pesticides.
- » You are concerned about your food or food preparation areas: total microbe and/or e-coli.
- » You are concerned about indoor air quality: total microbe or total microbe dry surface.
