Water is something that we all drink daily in order to stay hydrated and healthy. Beyond that, we use water to bathe, wash our clothes, and brew our coffee and tea. However, we might not always be aware of what’s in our water and how it affects us both internally and externally. The good news? You don’t have to stay in the dark about your water quality. There are many ways to determine whether or not there are contaminants in our water that are impacting our overall health and wellness. If you’re curious to see how your water is affecting you, here are five ways to measure, monitor, and evaluate water quality.
1. Use Your Taste Buds to See If There’s Any Cause for Concern
More often than not, we’re able to determine when there’s a problem with our water the moment that we put it to our lips. One great way to evaluate water quality is to conduct a water tasting for yourself. While this is often a fun activity, it can also be extremely helpful in recognizing signs that something might not be quite right with your water. Are there any smells that stand out to you like sulfur or diesel? Does your water taste sour or bitter? If there are any sudden changes that stand out to you, this might be the first step toward further testing your water.
2. Check to See If There Are Any External Signs of Note
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Most people are only concerned with the quality of their drinking water, and rightfully so. However, it’s not just your drinking water that impacts your health. The water coming to your home can wreak havoc on your body if there are certain contaminants and toxins coming through. In fact, hard water has been shown to clog your pores and leave your skin dry and irritated, exacerbating existing skin conditions like eczema or acne. This also extends to your hair and scalp, where it can cause major dryness. It’s certainly important to make sure that your drinking water is safe, but it’s also critical to your overall health and wellness to make sure the water you’re using for bathing and other activities is safe as well!
3. Consider Purchasing an At-Home Test Kit
One of the easiest ways to further explore what types of chemicals or potential contaminants are in your water is to conduct an at-home test. The biggest issue with at-home water testing kits is that you can’t always be sure exactly what they’re testing for or if the results are entirely accurate. The good news? There is a vast selection of reliable at-home test kits out there to choose from that accommodate any budget. There are other options, but this might be something to keep in mind if you’re looking at all the potential avenues for water testing.
4. Have a Testing Laboratory or Service Test Your Water for You
One of the most accurate ways to learn more about what’s in your water is to reach out to testing laboratories or even your state to help you get accurate results. Whether your water smells or tastes a certain way or you believe that a recent development has affected your water quality, they will help you get a better idea of whether or not there’s a problem. Some services will give you a sample container that you will use to collect water while others will send out a trained technician to make sure the water is being collected under the right conditions. If you can opt for the latter, it’s highly recommended that you do so!
5. Make Sure to Regularly Check Your Water and Use Tools That Maintain Your Good Health
Once you get into the habit of being more aware of your water quality, it’s important that you stay in that habit. If there are any new smells or tastes, get your water tested. If there are any visible health developments, reach out for support. If there’s nearby construction or other events that you believe have impacted your water quality, see if there are any changes to your water immediately. The sooner you get a test when you believe there’s a problem, the easier it is to address it.
Of course, it’s also important to make sure that you’re taking proper care of yourself in the meantime. How? If your drinking water is the issue, look for some of the best bottled water options at your disposal or consider purchasing yourself a water purification system to clean out your drinking water. One that attaches to your sink or a pitcher will do just fine.
If you want to make sure the water you use for bathing is good for your skin, you can look for high-quality shower filters that filter your water and even enhance it with beneficial minerals!
Your Water Matters!
Water is something that we can absolutely not live without, but that doesn’t mean we have to settle for less than the best. Use the tips offered above to stay on top of your water quality and keep your body healthy inside and out!
