5 ways to check the quality of drinking water

We cannot always be sure that tap water is safe to drink. There are times when its quality can change in the blink of an eye, and knowing how to detect changes can save you from drinking contaminated water. Luckily, there is a way to test water quality like the pros do, with just three senses. And if the quality of tap water leaves much to be desired, then it is best to order the delivery of drinking water to your home, where water is always of the highest quality. However, we always come across tap water.

Pictolic will tell you how to test the water and make sure it is drinkable.

5 PHOTOS

1. Start by checking the color of the water.

Let the water drain for a few minutes first. This will clear the faucet of any deposits. Fill a glass and hold it up to the light. If the water is cloudy, yellow, or brown, it could mean rusty pipes, contamination at the top, or a poor-quality water source such as a river or reservoir.

2. Make sure the water is not cloudy.

Check the water for particles or opacity. Hold a glass of water up to the light. Red, orange, or brown particles can be due to rusty or old fittings or pipes. Black pieces inside the water may indicate that the hoses have begun to deteriorate. General turbidity means there are too many chemicals.

3. Smell the water to determine its smell.

Now smell the water. If it smells like bleach, it's most likely due to the addition of chlorine, which made the water safe. This is not harmful, but it is recommended to purchase a filter to remove the smell. An earthy or musty odor indicates that there is something organic in the water or sewer that is decomposing.

4. Taste the water to see how it tastes.

It's time to show your sense of taste. If it tastes bad, spit out the water immediately. A metallic taste may mean that the pH levels are low, or that there is an excess of minerals in the water system, which is usually due to a rusty pipe. If it tastes like bleach, it means it has chemicals in it that could be caused by artificial water removal or industrial waste.

5. Check pipes for deposits and corrosion.

It is very important to check your pipes regularly because they can be the reason why your water is not potable. There are easy ways to check them. If the pipes are above ground, look for blue or white marks on them.