From cooking our meals to cleaning our houses and clothing to nourishing our bodies, there is no denying that water is a precious commodity in our daily lives. Regardless of whether your pipes are connected to a private well or a city water supply, when you turn on the faucet, you need to be able to trust that the water flowing out is clear, clean, and contaminant-free, but how do you know if your water is the best that it can be? You can start by answering five simple questions:

Is your water clear? When you fill a see-through container, your water should be nice and clear. If it is cloudy, has visible debris floating in it, there is oily scum on the surface, or there is sand in the bottom of the container, you could potentially have a problem with water quality.

Does your water have an odor? Unpleasant smells emanating from your water can indicate several different concerns. A rotten egg smell can indicate the presence of excess hydrogen sulfide gas, a musty smell can indicate bacterial contamination, and a strong chlorine smell can indicate the potential for chemical overtreatment in the public water supply.

Does your water taste strange? Water should always taste fresh and clean, regardless of the source. If your water tastes bitter, salty, metallic, or you can taste chemicals, you should stop drinking it immediately and have the water tested.

Are there unexplained stains or discolored spots on your clean laundry? Calcium, rust, and magnesium are all contaminants that are found in water or, in some cases, in the pipes that carry the water. Unless they are filtered out, they can deposit on fabrics during washing, leaving yellow, brown, and red stains.

Is there scale build-up on your fixtures? Crusty or flaky build-up on shower heads, faucets, and in toilet bowls can indicate that you have hard water. While it’s not dangerous, it will decrease the life of the appliances that use it, from high-end coffee makers to hot water heaters and everything in-between.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to evaluate whether you need to install a new water treatment system or upgrade your existing equipment. With more than thirty years experience providing clean water, the experts at Metro Water Filter are uniquely qualified to help you diagnose problems with your water and install the right system to restore your peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule your water test as soon as possible!