Do you worry about chemicals in drinking water?
Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or landlord, ensuring your water is free from harmful chemicals is essential for health and regulatory compliance.
This article teaches the most important chemical parameters to test for and why.
Table of Contents
Why Test for Chemicals in Drinking Water?
Chemical testing in drinking water identifies substances that may affect health, taste, odour, and appearance. Testing ensures:
- Safe, high-quality drinking water for households and businesses.
- Compliance with drinking water safety regulations.
- Detection of issues causing colour changes, odours, or unpleasant tastes.
- Guidance for treatment solutions to improve water safety.
What Parameters to Test For & Why?
Chemicals & Minerals
Iron is a naturally occurring element in groundwater. It can also enter drinking water through corroded steel and cast-iron pipes. High iron levels cause water discolouration, giving it a reddish or rusty appearance, and can stain laundry and plumbing fixtures.
Although iron in drinking water is not considered a health risk, it can affect taste and contribute to pipe blockages over time. Testing for iron is recommended if your water appears brownish or leaves stains.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 0.2 mg/l
Manganese is another naturally occurring mineral that, even at low levels, can stain sinks, appliances, and laundry. It may also cause an unpleasant taste in water.
While not typically linked to immediate health risks, long-term exposure to high manganese levels has been associated with learning disabilities and attention disorders. Monitoring manganese levels is important to maintain water quality and peace of mind.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 0.05 mg/l
Nitrates in drinking water primarily originate from agricultural fertilizers, animal waste, and industrial discharge. Excessive nitrate levels are particularly dangerous for infants, as they can cause “blue baby” syndrome (methaemoglobinaemia), which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
Nitrate contamination is a serious issue in agricultural regions, making routine water testing essential for families with young children.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 50 mg/l
Ammonia in water can corrode copper pipes and lead to stains on clothing and household fixtures. High ammonia levels often indicate contamination from farming, industrial runoff, or sewage.
Ammonia rapidly converts to nitrites, which are more harmful than nitrates and can contribute to “blue baby” syndrome. Detecting ammonia in drinking water is crucial for identifying potential contamination sources and ensuring safe water quality.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 0.3 mg/l
TDS refers to the total concentration of dissolved minerals, salts, and metals in water. High TDS levels can affect taste, lead to scale buildup in plumbing, and indicate contamination from industrial or agricultural sources.
Monitoring TDS levels helps determine the best filtration system for improving water quality.
Physicochemical Properties
Water pH affects corrosion, taste, and household plumbing. Acidic water (pH below 6.5) can erode tooth enamel and corrode pipes, leading to leaks.
Alkaline water (pH above 9.5) may cause scale buildup. A balanced pH ensures safe drinking water and prevents plumbing damage. If your home has blue-green stains on fixtures, testing pH levels can help determine if corrosion is an issue.
Acceptable Range = 6.5 – 9.5
Conductivity measures water’s ability to conduct electricity, indicating dissolved ion levels. It varies with the area’s geology, but high conductivity may result from industrial pollution, road runoff, or seawater contamination in coastal areas.
Monitoring conductivity helps identify potential water quality issues and guide filtration choices.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 2500µS/cm @ 20°C
Water’s tendency to corrode pipes can be measured using the Langelier Index (LI). The LI measures the balance between pH and calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
An index of ‘-1’ and lower tends to be associated with corrosive problems, which can release harmful metals from plumbing systems. An index of ‘+1’ and higher tends to be seen where limescale issues exist.
Ideally, your water should have parameters between -1 and +1 so that neither corrosion nor scaling are problems.
Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. While safe to drink, it can cause limescale buildup in pipes, kettles, and appliances, reducing their efficiency.
Hard water also affects soap lathering, leaving skin and hair feeling dry. Households experiencing excessive limescale should consider water testing to determine if a softening solution is necessary.
These physicochemical properties are also covered by our “Chemicals in Drinking Water Test”.
For other chemical parameters (detailed below), we offer specific testing services.
Heavy Metals
Lead contamination in drinking water typically originates from older plumbing systems. Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause severe health issues, particularly in children, affecting brain development and nervous system function.
Testing for lead is crucial if your property was built before the 1970s.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 0.01 mg/l
While copper is essential for health, excessive amounts can lead to stomach discomfort and long-term toxicity. High copper levels in drinking water often result from corroded plumbing.
Blue-green stains on taps and sinks indicate elevated copper levels, which should be tested to prevent ongoing exposure.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 0.2 mg/l
Although zinc is necessary for health, high concentrations in drinking water can create a greasy film when boiled and cause an unpleasant taste.
Prolonged exposure to excessive zinc can lead to digestive issues and other health concerns, including anaemia and pancreatic damage. Testing for zinc helps identify and resolve contamination sources.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 1.0 mg/l
Emerging Contaminants
When water is being treated, chlorine and other disinfectants react with organic matter in water to form by-products like trihalomethanes (THMs). Long-term exposure to high THM levels has been linked to increased cancer risks.
Our THM in water test can monitor this toxic by-product to ensure effective water treatment is not causing harmful exposure.
Maximum Admissible Concentration = 0.1 mg/l
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are synthetic substances found in industrial products and firefighting foams.
These chemicals persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body over time, potentially causing liver damage, immune system suppression, and cancer.
We have PFAS testing services to help prevent these long-term health risks.
Our Chemicals in Drinking Water Testing
At Southern Scientific, we offer comprehensive testing for chemicals in drinking water. Our state-of-the-art labs process over 10,000 samples annually, ensuring compliance with EU Drinking Water Regulations. We provide:
- Quality: Our INAB-accredited testing always prioritises accuracy and reliability for results you can trust.
- Speed: We deliver results as efficiently as possible with low turnaround times.
- Knowledge: Our expert team empowers you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.
- Customer Care: We provide exceptional customer service throughout the testing process.
Whether you need a general chemicals in drinking water test or specialised testing for heavy metals, THMs, or PFAS, we ensure your drinking water is safe, compliant, and tested to the highest standards.
