Water Testing: Is Your Home or Building’s Water Safe?
Why Regular Water Testing Matters
Water testing is the only way to confirm whether your water supply contains lead or other environmental hazards. Visual inspection and taste cannot detect lead contamination. Chronic exposure to contaminated water causes hair loss, stomach and joint pain, body numbness, skin rashes, and serious long-term health damage.
Two Sources, Same Risk
Neither well water nor public water is automatically safe.
Wells are unregulated and can contain heavy metals including lead. Public water, even when treated at the source, travels through pipes and plumbing fixtures that may leach lead and other toxins before it reaches your tap. Drinking and bathing in contaminated water both carry health risks.
How Water Becomes Contaminated
Lead and other contaminants enter water supplies through multiple pathways: leaching from aging pipes or plumbing fixtures, infiltration after heavy rain or flooding, and ground shifts that open water systems to outside contaminants. Properties in the New York tri-state area face elevated risk due to high levels of heavy metals that contaminate wells throughout the region.
When You Should Test
Testing is recommended periodically and is especially important in the following situations:
After flooding in your area. When moving into a new home or building. If the property has older pipes that may leach toxins. If your area has a documented history of elevated lead levels in water. If known contamination issues exist locally.
How Often Should You Test?
The CDC recommends testing your water at minimum once per year for lead and other harmful particles. If testing has already revealed elevated lead levels, test every few months until the problem is confirmed to be contained and properly treated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is well water safer than public water? No. Wells are not regulated the way public water supplies are and may contain heavy metals including lead. Public water can also become contaminated as it passes through aging pipes and fixtures. Both sources require periodic testing.
Can lead enter water even if the public supply is treated? Yes. Lead can leach from pipes and plumbing fixtures inside your building after the water leaves the municipal treatment system. The source water may be clean while the water at your tap is not.
How does flooding affect water safety? Heavy rain and flooding can push contaminants into wells and compromise water systems. Ground shifts can also open water supplies to outside hazards. Testing after a flooding event is strongly recommended.
How often does the CDC recommend water testing? At minimum, once per year for harmful lead particles. If elevated levels have already been detected, the CDC advises testing every few months until the issue is resolved and under active management.
What health problems are linked to contaminated water? Chronic exposure to lead and other water contaminants is associated with hair loss, stomach pain, joint pain, body numbness, skin rashes, and more serious systemic health conditions over time.
Schedule a Water Test
RTK provides comprehensive water testing for residential and commercial properties. Call 800.392.6468 or schedule online.
