How do I know my tap water is safe?
It is important to check the quality of your drinking water. To be able to decide for yourself if there is something wrong with your water, you can follow these tips.
1. How should drinking water taste?
When you taste the water, it should taste clean and fresh, with no unusual aftertaste. Aftertaste can be, for example, of a metallic nature but also of a more earthy kind.
2. How should drinking water smell?
Drinking water should in principle be odorless. Should the water show traces of chlorine odor, it may indicate that the treatment had too high levels of chlorine in. Normally, water treatment plants add a small, regulated amount of chlorine to drinking water to protect it from bacteria on the way to your tap. If it smells of sewage or rotten eggs, it may indicate that hydrogen sulfide gas has dissolved into the water supply, or that sewage has contaminated your drinking water. In either case, stop using the water and contact your water provider immediately.
3. What should drinking water look like?
When the water comes out of the tap, it should be clear. It can also look a little white, these are just air bubbles and are harmless. Should your drinking water look brownish or cloudy, it may be that the pipes have started to rust and rust particles from corroded pipes may be leaching into your drinking water. Do not drink discolored water. Run the tap for a few minutes; if the color does not clear, contact your water supplier.
Other signs that your drinking water is not clean
When you wash in the washing machine at home and you notice that your clothes and sheets become discolored, it may be that the water is contaminated. When you wash in the dishwasher, your crockery can sometimes have white stripes and look cloudy. This may be a sign of water contamination. If you notice these signs, consider having your water quality tested by a certified provider or contact your local water authority.