Sunday, February 2, 2014

Crucial Information On Water Testing Labs

By Judy Sullivan


Contamination is rife in many water-bodies around the world. This has resulted in the presence of fungi, viruses and bacteria which can be harmful and therefore a health hazard. Partly, contamination can be blamed on international firms which carelessly dump their waste in the waters so as to avoid the cost that comes along with the treatment of such waste and the correct disposal procedures. Many environmental groups have cried foul and demanded for the streamlining of the policies touching on industrial waste disposal. To arrest the spread of water-borne diseases, various authorities have established water testing labs.

There are various mineral elements found in the water-sources. These elements easily react with water and therefore a deposit of the minerals mix and contaminate the waters. Lead is common in many piping systems and therefore posing a health risk. Many tests have come out positive for the presence of lead. Regular monitoring procedures should always include lead tests.

Test results help on to obtain an analysis of the system as a whole. Inference to a certain household cannot be made from the results obtained. Safety of the commodity for human consumption can be ensured through the use of filters such as the faucet and pitcher filters. Its important to buy them from approved dealers to avoid purchasing counterfeit ones.

Detecting quality problems is an easy process. Factors to look out for include the color, odor and whether any stains occur on clothes washed using this commodity. Contamination easily occurs if the well is too near a septic system. If this is the case, one has to carry out regular checks on the septic systems so as to ensure they are not leaking.

After carrying out the tests, many laboratories have to file their findings with the federal, state or tribal water agencies that are responsible for monitoring public water systems. They have a requirement to report any contaminants found and recommend best ways of ensuring safety of this commodity. The quality engineers have to generate an annual consumer confidence report that is distributed to all stakeholders. Its key contents include the technician findings and the possible health effects.

Updating the database that contains the findings of various tests carried out should be done on an ongoing basis so as to ensure that no information is left out. This is helpful as it forms the basis on solving future problems. Total coliform bacteria is known to be harmful and thus the need to conduct thorough tests so as to ascertain its absence.

If the family is expecting a new baby, tests for presence of nitrates should be carried out during pregnancy, before the infant is brought home from the hospital and during the first half year of the young ones life. The test is most effective if carried out during summer or spring that is after a rainy period.

Water testing labs should test for the presence of minerals salts such as chloride, manganese and iron which might have easily corroded into the system. These tests need to be repeated after every three years. Testing for volatile organic compounds can be very expensive and therefore such tests should be limited to only when necessary.




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