EcoPedia

Testing Tap Water

Michael Forlini | Feb 17, 2009

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If your home is served by a water system, get a copy of your annual water quality report before you test your water. This report will tell you what contaminants have been found in your drinking water and how these contaminants may affect your health.

The Consumer Confidence Report, or CCR, is an annual water quality report that a community water system is required to provide to its customers. The CCR helps people make informed choices about the water they drink and also gives the system a chance to tell customers what it takes to deliver safe drinking water.

After you've read the report, you may wish to test for specific contaminants (such as lead) that can vary from house to house. EPA does not test individual homes and cannot recommend specific laboratories--- which are certified by your state--- to test your drinking water.

You may call your state certification officer to get a list of certified laboratories in your state. Depending on how many contaminants you test for, a water test can cost as little as $15.

For more information regarding your drinking water system, visit the EPA's Drinking Water.

If you already know and love your tap water, show your support and help take back the tap.