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How Clean Is Your Water?

How clean is your tap water? While many Americans drink their tap water daily, they may not know exactly what is in their drinking water. With this in mind, Culligan International conducted a 2016 survey to underscore and understand North Americans' growing concern over the quality of their water. The survey showed that 75 percent of participants said that they were worried about the quality of the water they drink, bathe and cook with, yet 73 percent have never had the water in their homes tested.

"For years, we've taken the safety of our water for granted," says Rick Cook, Manager of Industry and Regulatory Affairs for Culligan. "But our aging infrastructure has heightened the risks of harmful impurities such as lead, sulfide and iron contaminating our water supply. Thousands of water systems around the country show excess levels of contamination and with the average person using 50 gallons of water each day, access to clean, safe drinking water is critical."

According to Cook, there are a few important steps homeowners can take to ensure clean safe water, including:

Know where water contamination can occur. Water impurities are not just limited to the water source, but can also happen in the distribution system after treatment from the local municipality or private well has already occurred. While many naturally occurring chemicals and impurities from local land practices can be filtered at the source, unsafe amounts of lead can enter water from lead service pipes. These issues are commonly found in homes built prior to 1986 when lead pipes, fixtures and solder were regularly used.

Educate yourself on the filtration system currently in place at your home. Water treatment solutions such as water softeners, reverse osmosis systems and specialty filters eliminate specific impurities that may be found in your water, while charcoal pitchers and refrigerator cartridges do not.

Pay attention. Corroded plumbing fixtures, unpleasant odors, disagreeable taste, discolored water and even shortened appliance lifespan are signs of trouble.

Schedule a test to identify impurities in your water. Because water contamination can happen at any time and/or through a local municipality, an underground well or a homeowner's own pipes, it is important to have your water tested by a water expert who can determine the necessary steps to eliminate any harmful impurities that may be present. While testing can be done at any time, Culligan recommends scheduling a water test especially after moving into a new house, if appliances that use water are collecting residue or burning out, and as soon as you notice a change in your water's taste, odor or appearance. Well water should also be tested whenever any changes in your water such as color, taste, odor or cloudiness are noticed.

Source: www.culligan.com.