Drinking Water FAQs
Most of us don't know where to begin searching to find out if our water is safe to drink. To help with your information gathering, we've put together these answers to some important questions.
Is my water safe to drink and use?
What should I test my water for?
How do I collect a sample of my water?
Is my water safe to drink and use?
The water in the United States is among the safest in the world, and Massachusetts water supply is among the best in the country. Still, individual water quality depends on the source and can be affected by many things, including your plumbing.
If your water comes from a public water supply, it is monitored for quality standards set by federal, state, and local governments.
But if your water comes from a private well, it is not included in the governmental regulations and that leaves the responsibility for water quality in the hands of the homeowner.
For detailed information see EPA Drinking Water and Health: What you need to know.
Do I need to test my water?
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection does make recommendations for when you should test you well water, how often, and what tests should be run. However, check with your local Board of Health who may have requirements for testing of new wells as well as testing at other times.
In general, it is a good idea to test well water before you buy a house with a private well, after any repairs or upgrades are made to your well, if you notice any changes to your well water taste, smell, or appearance, or if you previously had testing that indicated the water had contaminants above government standard levels.
In addition, well water in good standing should be tested on a yearly basis for bacteria and nitrate/nitrite. Testing for the following contaminants is recommended at least once every ten years:
- Arsenic
- Chloride
- Copper
- Fluoride
- Hardness
- Iron
- Lead
- Manganese
- pH
- Sodium
- VOCs
What should I test my water for?
Water naturally contains contaminants from the lakes, rivers, and streams from which it comes. It also gathers contaminants from the water delivery systems on its way to your home. Some of these contaminants are harmless; others are unsafe. The federal government regulates many contaminants such as:
- Giardia lamblia
- Legionella
- Total Coliforms
- Turbidity
- Viruses
- Bromate
- Chlorite
- Chlorine dioxide
- Antimony
- Barium
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Nitrite
- And many more
For a complete list of all the contaminants that the federal government regulates, visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html#mcls
How do I collect a sample of my water?
Collecting a sample of your water for testing is easy but it takes a little thought. You need to choose the right source (usually the kitchen faucet) and time of day (often first thing in the morning), you need to handle the sample properly to prevent further contamination, and you need to transport the sample to the lab quickly. Refer to our Sample Collection page for instructions on collecting water samples.