WATER QUALITY SAMPLING

Water Quality Sampling can be performed at the time of your Home, Commercial, or other Environmental Inspection. If you have doubts or questions about the quality of your water, I recommend having this simple sampling process. I will take a sample of your water back to my office, and the results will be available as part of your online Inspection Report.

• pH is a measure of the acidic or basic character of water. Results below 7 indicate acidity and above 7 indicate alkalinity. Water with low pH can be corrosive to plumbing fixtures and hot water systems. It will leave red stains on galvanized pipe, blue-green stains on copper, and may also release harmful amounts of lead into your water from solder joints and pipes. Test sensitivity is from 2.0 to 12.1, and the safe range is from 6.5 to 8.5.

• Total Alkalinity is the ability of water to resist change in pH. A low total alkalinity may cause your water to appear cloudy and contribute to scaling. When the total alkalinity is too high, then the pH will be high as well. Test sensitivity is from 0 to 240 parts per million, and the ideal range is from 80 to 180 parts per million.

• Total Chlorine consists of both free chlorine and combined (already reacted) chlorine. Free chlorine affects the taste and odor of your water and may irritate your skin and eyes. Chlorine is used to disinfect water in both private and public water systems. However, during the disinfecting process, excessive amounts of chlorine may react with decaying organic matter to form trihalomethanes, which can cause cancer. Test sensitivity is from 0 to 10 parts per million, and the safe range is from 0 to 4 parts per million.

• Total Hardness is a measure of calcium and magnesium in your water. Hard water over 125 parts per million tends to form scales inside pipes creating a barrier between lead solder and the water itself, thereby helping to prevent lead from entering into your drinking water. Low hardness (soft water), less than 54 parts per million, can be corrosive to your plumbing. Test sensitivity is from 0 to 425 parts per million, and the ideal is 50 parts per million.

• Iron is a mineral found in the ground, which can be in your drinking water. Iron is essential to good health, however iron levels higher than 0.3 parts per million can cause brown, orange, or yellow color stains to your plumbing fixtures and laundry. Test sensitivity is from 0 to 5 parts per million, and the safe range is from 0 to 0.3 parts per million.

• Iron Bacteria is another form of iron that may be present in your water system. Iron bacteria is commonly found in toilet flush tanks as a brown, slimy residue.

• Copper is a metal which is often found in drinking water. Small amounts are generally not a problem. However, copper levels above 1.3 parts per million can cause jaundice, pancreatitis, poisoning of the red blood cells, gastrointestinal problems and anemia. The presence of copper also affects water's taste and may stain your porcelain toilets and sinks. Test sensitivity is from 0 to 5 parts per million, and the safe range is from 0 to 1.3 parts per million.

• Nitrates/Nitrites are nitrogen chemicals resulting from fertilizer, sewage (human waste), animal waste and other geological conditions. Concentrations over 10 parts per million for nitrates, and over 1 part per million for nitrites, can cause a condition known as "Blue Baby Syndrome," a poisoning of the blood which reduces the amount of oxygen available to infant children. Test sensitivity for nitrates is 0 to 50 parts per million, and the safe range is from 0 to 10 parts per million. Test sensitivity for nitrites is 0 to 5 parts per million, and the safe range is from 0 to1 part per million.

• Hydrogen Sulfide is a gas that can be detected by its rotten-egg odor. It causes unpleasant tasting water.

Information and equipment are provided by Pro-Lab Environmental Protection Products of Weston, Florida.