Testing tap water - can this be done

Metter

We are looking at what clean water supply to use. The house is on the west side of bypass in Sanur. It has well water. In the garden there is a 'pit' with a metal hinged lid. I assume this is storage from a deeper well. If you open the lid there is a float and no smell of feaces so I am fairly certain it's not a septic tank :-) The pool is right next to it but don't think it's connected. Back to the point. I want to ensure we have clean water of course. The choice seems to be between using gallons in a dispenser or the 'Pureit' system. Can I get the house water tested to see how nasty it is before deciding? If so where? Whist I like the idea of the purit system I don't want to risk faecal contamination as this causes many gastrointestinal issues.

spicyayam

There have been threads in the past about testing water. We have a Pureit type system and it "seems" ok, but we continue to buy the Aqua gallons and that is what I drink from. An occasional upset tummy is less likely to be a concern, at least for me. I think of it something like smoking, one cigarette is not going to kill you but it is the build of chemicals/toxins over an extended period, potential cancers etc.

Metter

spicyayam wroteThere have been threads in the past about testing water. We have a Pureit type system and it "seems" ok, but we continue to buy the Aqua gallons and that is what I drink from.

Thanks Spicyayam, Why do you still use the gallons, do you not fully trust the pureit system?

tel522

I have been using purit for 5 years , no problems , but bear in mind im cleaning pdam water . I can imagine some of the well water is highly contaminated in built up areas , broken septic tanks and god knows what else ! I have read on occasion well water testing companies ,I imagine an internet search will provide suitable candidates .

ronb

Yes you can arrange tests - but one test is a waste of time, you need frequent tests (weekly?). The costs add up so that in the end gallons may be cheaper. I don't know about Pureit, but purchased systems have no guarantees. A filter system is good until it leaks - but how do you know when that is? UV systems are Ok when they work well - but how do you know? Good luck working it out.

tel522

ronb wroteYes you can arrange tests - but one test is a waste of time, you need frequent tests (weekly?). The costs add up so that in the end gallons may be cheaper. I don't know about Pureit, but purchased systems have no guarantees. A filter system is good until it leaks - but how do you know when that is? UV systems are Ok when they work well - but how do you know? Good luck working it out.

Bearing in mind the country we live in and its endemic problems, ie pervasive corruption , who is to say the gallons are pure ?

davita

tel522 wroteBearing in mind the country we live in and its endemic problems, ie pervasive corruption , who is to say the gallons are pure ?

A good point tel522 and why we always check the seal. It has been known that some re-use those containers and refill with tap water....and whatever else they may find.

Metter

davita wroteA good point tel522 and why we always check the seal. It has been known that some re-use those containers and refill with tap water....and whatever else they may find.

You can get meters to test water quality but these only work for non-organic contaminants. We seem to be in the government sewerage so hopefully not too many human waste products leaking into our bore water - that just gives me a yucky feeling when I think of it, which I will try not to do!!