The water in your home concerns your health and that of your family, so whether or not you test it effects all of you. Your water should be safe to drink and acceptable for all other household uses. Contaminated water can cause illness and sometimes even death. In addition, a variety of less serious problems such as bad taste, off-color, odor, and staining of clothes or fixtures are symptoms of water quality problems. Even water that appears problem-free and crystal clear may not be safe or acceptable. Even so, not all people need to test their water. Testing for all possible contaminants is impractical and unnecessary. However you should be sure your water is of a standard conforming to those specified for your area.

How do you know when your water needs to be tested?
Situation	Test
You bought a new home and wish to asses the safety and quality of your water	Test for Coliform bacteria, nitrate, hardness, pH, sulfate, total dissolved solids, etc.
Water has an objectionable taste or smell	Test for pH, TDS, TSS
Water appears cloudy, frothy or colored	Test for Colour, turbidity and detergents
You are having trouble washing with soap	Test for hardness, pH and Total dissolved solids
Pipes and Plumbing show signs of corrosion	Test for pH, manganese, Zinc and iron
Water smells of Chlorine	Test for chlorine and Total Bacterial Count
Water stains plumbing fixtures and laundry	Test for iron, manganese and copper
You wish to monitor the efficiency of your home water treatment system	Test for coliform bacteria, TDS and TSS
Recurrent gastrointestinal distress	Test for Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate and Sulfate

Does your water smell, taste or look funny?

Most health-related concerns about drinking water don't show-up as an obvious color, taste or odor unless the level of contaminant is very high. Most color in water is related to the presence of iron and manganese, which aren't hazardous to health unless in high quantities, but can stain sinks and clothing.

One common odor is caused by the presence of hydrogen sulfide that can smell like rotten egg.
A high level of a substance that doesn't belong in the water may also affect taste or may even burn the mouth and throat. Though such occurrences are rare, if this happens, don't drink the water and contact your public water system operator immediately. If you are on a private well, seek assistance, stop drinking the water and have your drinking water tested immediately.

Here is a partial list of common, if not health-threatening, problems with our water:
Color
1. Yellowish water; yellow stains on china, bathroom fixtures and laundry: These can be caused by "tannins," or harmless acids from water passing peaty soils.
2. Brownish water; brownish slime in toilet tanks: Often caused by iron bacteria.
3. Blue-green water; green stains on sinks and porcelain fixtures: From acid water dissolving copper from pipes and plumbing fixtures.
4. Green or blue ice cubes: From water dissolving copper from the water line to the ice maker.
5. Yellow, black stains on bathroom fixtures; tarnished silverware: From hydrogen sulfide.
6. Reddish brown material that settles to the bottom of a glass (or the water from the tap appears rusty): Precipitated iron from rusty pipes, wells or ores.
7. Reddish brown rusty stains on fixtures, laundry, dishes (but the water from the tap appears clear): From dissolved iron.
Odor
1. Rotten eggs: Hydrogen sulfide.
2. Septic or sewage odors: Seepage of septic system discharge into groundwater.
3. Chlorine: Excessive chlorination.
4. Gasoline or oil: Leak in fuel oil or gas tank.
Taste
1. Salty: high sodium or magnesium.
2. Metallic: Acid water or high iron.
3. Sharp chemical: Insecticides or herbicides.