Water Quality Guide

Is Your Tap Water Really Safe?

Why Test Your Water?

Most Americans assume their tap water is safe because it comes from a treated municipal source. But contamination can occur between the treatment plant and your faucet — through aging pipes, lead service lines, and local soil conditions. If you have a private well, you are entirely responsible for your own water safety.

Verdara Tip: The EPA sets standards for public water systems, but does not regulate private wells. If you have a well, test it annually.

Common Water Contaminants

•        Lead — from old pipes and fixtures, especially in homes built before 1986

•        Bacteria and coliform — from septic systems, agriculture runoff, or flooding

•        Nitrates — from fertilizers, especially dangerous for infants

•        Chlorine and chloramines — disinfectants that can affect taste and health

•        PFAS (forever chemicals) — industrial chemicals linked to serious health issues

•        Arsenic — naturally occurring in some groundwater sources

•        Hardness — calcium and magnesium that can affect plumbing and appliances

Signs Your Water May Have Issues

•        Discoloration — yellow, brown, or cloudy water

•        Unusual taste or smell — metallic, sulfur, or chemical odors

•        Staining — blue-green stains on sinks or tubs indicate copper leaching

•        Scale buildup — white deposits on fixtures indicate hard water

Verdara Tip: Many contaminants have no color, taste, or smell. Testing is the only way to know for sure.

How to Test Your Water

Verdara carries affordable water testing kits that check for the most common contaminants including lead, bacteria, chlorine, nitrates, pH, hardness, and more. For a comprehensive analysis, our in-lab testing kits send your sample to an EPA-certified laboratory for a full report.

What to Do If You Find Contamination

•        Lead — replace lead pipes and fixtures, use a certified water filter

•        Bacteria — boil water, shock chlorinate your well, install UV purification

•        Nitrates — use a reverse osmosis filter, do not give contaminated water to infants

•        PFAS — use a certified PFAS filter, contact your local health department