Water Testing & Clarity

Every year, your municipality publishes a Consumer Confidence Report that details what was detected in the water supply. These reports are valuable, but they measure water quality at the treatment plant or at select points in the distribution system -- not at your faucet.

Between the treatment facility and your glass of water, there are miles of underground mains, service lines, and your own home plumbing. Each of these stages can introduce or concentrate substances that were not present when the water left the plant. Aging distribution pipes may contribute trace metals. Galvanized lines in older neighborhoods can release zinc or iron. Even the solder used in copper joints installed before 1986 may contain lead.

A city report reflects the quality of treated water in aggregate. It does not -- and cannot -- account for what happens between the main and your specific tap. That is the gap a home-level evaluation is designed to close.

No two homes share the same plumbing profile. The age of your pipes, the materials they are made from, the condition of your water heater, and even the distance your water travels from the nearest treatment plant all influence what arrives at your tap.

A home built in the 1960s with original galvanized steel pipes will interact with water differently than a home built in 2015 with PEX tubing. Copper pipes develop a patina over time that can affect mineral content. Homes on longer service lines may see higher chlorine decay, which in turn can allow microbial activity that would otherwise be suppressed. Water heaters operating at incorrect temperatures can accelerate corrosion and sediment buildup.

These variables are not theoretical -- they are present in every home, and they are the reason two neighbors on the same block can have meaningfully different water profiles. Understanding your specific plumbing context is the first step toward clarity.

A comprehensive home water evaluation goes beyond a single test strip. Depending on the analysis, it may examine several key indicators that together paint a detailed picture of your water:

• Hardness -- Measures the concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not a health risk, but it causes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and fixtures, reducing their lifespan and efficiency.
• Iron -- Even small amounts of dissolved iron can cause rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. It may also affect the taste and appearance of your water.
• Chlorine -- Used by municipalities to disinfect water during treatment. Residual chlorine is intentional, but levels at your tap can vary. Some households are sensitive to its taste and odor.
• Sediment -- Particulate matter such as sand, rust, or silt that may be present due to aging infrastructure or disturbances in the distribution system.
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) -- A broad measurement of all inorganic salts and organic matter dissolved in your water. TDS can influence taste, clarity, and how your water interacts with soaps and appliances.
• pH Level -- Indicates whether your water is acidic or alkaline. Water outside the ideal range can accelerate pipe corrosion and affect the effectiveness of disinfection.

Each of these measurements tells you something specific about the water in your home -- not your city, not your neighborhood, but your actual tap. The results provide a factual baseline from which you can make informed decisions.

There is no single right time to evaluate your water. Households request an analysis for a wide range of reasons, and every one of them is valid. The most common situations include:

• New homeowners -- Moving into a new home means inheriting its plumbing. An evaluation gives you a clear picture of what you are working with from day one.
• Families with young children -- Children consume more water relative to their body weight than adults. Many parents choose to verify their home water profile for added confidence.
• Noticeable taste or odor changes -- A sudden shift in how your water tastes or smells is worth investigating. It may be seasonal, infrastructure-related, or something worth addressing.
• Visible sediment or discoloration -- If you see particles or color in your water, an analysis can identify the source and help you decide whether action is needed.
• After plumbing work -- Repairs, replacements, or remodeling can disturb sediment and change the flow dynamics in your home. Testing after major plumbing work ensures everything has settled properly.

Whatever the reason, the goal is the same: to move from uncertainty to understanding.

We want to be clear: requesting a water analysis carries no obligation. You will not be pressured to purchase anything, sign up for a service, or make a decision on the spot. The purpose of the analysis is educational -- to give you accurate information about your water so that you can make choices that are right for your household, on your own timeline.

Education comes first. The Water Awareness Foundation exists to help households understand their water, not to sell them something. If the results of your analysis raise questions, we are here to help you interpret them. If they confirm that your water is exactly where you want it, that is a great outcome too.

Clarity is the goal. Everything else is up to you.