Crucial Information On Water Testing Labs

By Judy Sullivan


Contamination is rife in many water-bodies around the world. This has resulted in the presence of fungi, viruses and bacteria which can be harmful and therefore a health hazard. Partly, contamination can be blamed on international firms which carelessly dump their waste in the waters so as to avoid the cost that comes along with the treatment of such waste and the correct disposal procedures. Many environmental groups have cried foul and demanded for the streamlining of the policies touching on industrial waste disposal. To arrest the spread of water-borne diseases, various authorities have established water testing labs.

Many are the times when the minerals found in water react with the household plumbing materials and service lines therefore resulting in the corrosion of the piping system. As a consequence, lead which is harmful and therefore poses a health hazard is deposited in the storage facilities alongside the water. Just as a precautionary measure, most laboratories test for the presence of lead as part of regular monitoring procedures.

Test results help on to obtain an analysis of the system as a whole. Inference to a certain household cannot be made from the results obtained. Safety of the commodity for human consumption can be ensured through the use of filters such as the faucet and pitcher filters. Its important to buy them from approved dealers to avoid purchasing counterfeit ones.

Problems relating to quality can be easily detected. Among the factors one has to deeply look into include the color, any stains on clothes washed and odor emanating from the liquid. Health experts advise that wells should be located a safe distance from septic tanks to avoid contamination.

It is a statutory requirement that all laboratories make their findings known to the local federal, tribal or state agency. These agencies have a responsibility of ensuring that the water-resources are free of contamination and that they do not cause a health risk. Annual consumer confidence reports should be generated by the quality control engineers and proper filing procedure carried out to avoid mix up of information. The report usually contains the procedures carried out and the findings and recommendations of the technicians.

Updating the database that contains the findings of various tests carried out should be done on an ongoing basis so as to ensure that no information is left out. This is helpful as it forms the basis on solving future problems. Total coliform bacteria is known to be harmful and thus the need to conduct thorough tests so as to ascertain its absence.

Excess nitrates are harmful to both a new born kid or the expectant mother. Expectant ladies should make sure that the waters are tested and that they contain acceptable nitrate levels otherwise they pose a health risk. For accuracy of results, tests should be conducted after a rainy period.

Water testing labs should always test for the presence of mineral salts which include iron, manganese and chloride. The salts are known to easily dissolve and therefore can easily go unnoticed. After every three years, the tests should one again be carried out. Tests for volatile organic compounds should be carried out only if necessary since they are very expensive to conduct.




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