Water Testing

COLIFORM BACTERIA
Indicator bacteria suggesting fecal contamination and possible presence of disease-causing organisms that can cause gastrointestinal illness.

IRON BACTERIA Bacteria that feed on iron, forming slime that clogs plumbing and causes odor, discoloration, and flow problems.

COLOR Visible tint caused by dissolved metals or organic matter; indicates possible iron, manganese, or tannins.

ODOR Smell of water; may indicate sulfur bacteria, organic contamination, or chemical presence.

SEDIMENT Visible particles in water that can clog plumbing and filters and indicate erosion or well issues.

TURBIDITY Cloudiness caused by suspended particles; can interfere with disinfection and indicate contamination.

CONDUCTIVITY Measures dissolved mineral content; higher values indicate more ions in the water.

ALKALINITY Water’s ability to neutralize acid; affects corrosion and buffering but is not a direct health risk.

AMMONIA Indicates organic waste breakdown; can cause taste/odor issues and reduce disinfection effectiveness.

ARSENIC Toxic heavy metal and known carcinogen; long-term exposure increases cancer and circulatory risks.

CALCIUM Mineral contributing to hardness and scale buildup in pipes and appliances.

CHLORIDE Salt component that causes salty taste and contributes to corrosion.

CHLORINE Disinfectant used in water treatment; may cause taste/odor issues and form byproducts when reacting with organic matter.

CHLORAMINE Disinfectant made from chlorine and ammonia; longer-lasting than chlorine but can cause taste/odor issues and affect dialysis patients and aquariums.

COPPER Metal that can leach from pipes; causes blue-green staining and may cause stomach upset at high levels.

FLUORIDE Naturally occurring or added to prevent tooth decay; too much can cause dental or skeletal fluorosis.

HARDNESS Total calcium and magnesium; causes scale buildup and reduces soap efficiency.

HYDROGEN SULFIDE Gas responsible for “rotten egg” odor in water; causes taste and odor problems and can corrode plumbing but is not usually a direct health risk at low levels.

IRON Causes rust-colored staining and metallic taste; primarily an aesthetic issue.

LEAD Highly toxic metal from old plumbing; harms brain and nervous system, especially in children.

MAGNESIUM Mineral contributing to hardness and scale formation.

MANGANESE Causes black staining and taste issues; high levels may affect neurological health.

NITRATE From fertilizers and waste; dangerous for infants and interferes with oxygen transport in blood.

NITRITE Intermediate form of nitrate; poses similar health risks, especially for infants. pH Measure of acidity or basicity; affects corrosion, scaling, and taste.

POTASSIUM Naturally occurring mineral; high levels may be a concern for those on restricted diets.

SODIUM Salt component; affects taste and may be a concern for low-sodium diets.

SULFATE Can cause bitter taste and laxative effects at high levels.

PFAS (POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES) Synthetic “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, immune system effects, and hormone disruption.

PERCHLORATES Industrial chemical that can interfere with thyroid function.

THMs (TRIHALOMETHANES) Disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter; long-term exposure is linked to increased cancer risk.

VOCs (VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS) Man-made chemicals from fuels and solvents; many are toxic and carcinogenic.

RADON Radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when released into indoor air from water.

URANIUM Radioactive metal that can damage kidneys with long-term exposure.