Best Water Test Kits of 2023

The majority of people living in built-up areas receive their water from a municipal water supply. This water is treated and undergoes extensive testing to ensure it complies with safety standards.

However, if you live in a more remote area, you might take your water from a private well. This means you are responsible for checking its quality.

It is generally recommended to test well water once per year. However, some contaminants might require more frequent testing ⁽²⁾.

If you have noticed that you frequently have an upset stomach or problems with your digestion, your water might be contaminated with bacteria or high sulfate levels ⁽³⁾. Contaminated water can also cause neurological and reproductive issues.

If you have a baby or pregnancy in your home, it is particularly important to test your water. Check for nitrate throughout the pregnancy and during the baby’s first six months.

If you have an older home, there is a decent chance that your pipes contain lead. As these pipes degrade with age, lead can enter your drinking water and negatively affect your kidneys and heart ⁽⁴⁾.

When testing for lead, you should also check your copper and pH levels.

Sometimes, your taste, sight, or smell will be the best indicators of something in your water. If it tastes or smells different, or has visible discoloration or particles, you should test it.

You might also notice that your clothes are becoming discolored after washing them in your water. If this occurs, test it for hardness, chloride, manganese, sulfate, and iron ⁽⁵⁾.

Well water should be tested regularly (at least once per year) to ensure it’s free from contaminants and pollutants. But, some people prefer doing it more frequently, depending on their specific risk factors and water usage habits.

No matter how often you choose to test your well water, several basic steps are involved in the testing process.

First, you need to collect a sample of the well water, which can be done by pouring a small amount into a special bottle you can buy at any home improvement store.

Next, your sample will need to be sent off to a laboratory for analysis by trained professionals who can identify any harmful elements that may be present.

Once the test results have been returned, you can adjust your treatment methods or take other necessary actions to ensure that your well water is safe for use.

The most common method for testing water for mold is using a kit that includes a testing strip that changes color when it comes into contact with mold spores.

These kits are typically easy to use and can provide quick results; however, they are also prone to false positives. More advanced techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing or microscope analysis, are often necessary to ensure an accurate test result.

Regardless of the method used, accurately detecting mold in water is crucial for protecting your home or building from potential harm caused by this harmful substance.

The EPA has set its recommended maximum level at zero, arguing that even trace amounts of this toxic substance can harm human health.

But, some researchers maintain that small amounts of lead may be somewhat beneficial, pointing out that low levels are naturally present in surface water and certain foods.

Drinking water that contains lead can have several serious health consequences. Individuals exposed to high levels of lead in their drinking water may experience hypertension, anemia, and immune system dysfunction, which can be very dangerous.

Also, chronic exposure to lead may result in hearing loss or other neurological problems. In the most severe cases, lead poisoning can be life-threatening, as it can disrupt the normal function of vital organs like the kidneys and liver.

Reducing or eliminating any risk of ingesting lead in drinking water is extremely important. This can be accomplished by testing your water supply regularly and installing treatment systems if necessary.

There are several ways to test your water at home without relying on a specialized kit.

One option is to use standard pH testing strips, which you can purchase from any hardware store or online retailer. These strips are relatively easy to use, and you can get an accurate reading of your water’s pH level after just a few minutes.

Another option is to purchase simple reagents, which can also be used to measure pH levels as well as other indicators such as specific ions and chlorine content.

Finally, if you’re not too concerned about accuracy, there is always the old-fashioned way – by tasting your water! While this may sound silly, it is often surprisingly effective in determining the presence of unwanted chemicals.

One of the best home drinking water test kits is the VARIFY Store Premium Drinking Water Test Kit. It comes with 100 strips so you can test your water 100 times.

It can detect up to 17 contaminants, like manganese, sulfate, copper, bacteria (like e.coli), fluoride, mercury, and others.

One of the best things about this brand is that they donate a portion of the sales to a charity that ensures the Central African Republic can enjoy clean drinking water.