Water is something we take for granted in the western world but not all water is good for you. While clean and healthy water keeps us hydrated and helps fuel our immune systems and keeps us running, contaminated water could have a devastating impact on your health and well-being.

Of course, local water providers will be doing everything in their power to ensure your water is safe, but accidents can happen and water contaminants can slip through the cracks. Before you go the extra mile and get your water professionally tested, however, we’d recommend testing it yourself for these five common signs of contaminated water.

The way it looks

We all know what water should look like but I’m sure most of us have been thirsty enough to chug down a glass of cloudy water before. But if your water is anything less than completely clear it could contain traces of bacteria or other small contaminants. If there is a shade of colour to your water, there might also be a problem. Brown or orange water, for example, means higher than normal levels of manganese or iron, which can contaminate the water when rusty pipes erode over time.

Hard water

Hard water contains a high level of magnesium and calcium and while these are not necessarily dangerous for you but they could cause damage to your utilities such as kettles and other kitchen equipment. If you notice odd spots and stains on your kitchenware then you could have incredibly hard water and should consider installing a water filter as soon as possible.

The way it smells

Water shouldn’t smell of anything unless you’ve decided to treat yourself to a cold glass of squash. If the smell reminds you of a public swimming pool then the water company might have treated it with a little too much chlorine. If it smells more like rotten eggs, then it could be contaminated with trace amounts of sulphur, which could lead to severe intestinal problems if ingested in large quantities. Speaking of which…

Your guts don’t feel right

If you or anyone else in your family has been suffering from gastrointestinal problems and the doctor has ruled out food poisoning or a sickness bug, it could be water contamination you’re dealing with. Stomach cramps, nausea, dehydration and the dreaded diarrhoea are all common symptoms of water contamination. So, once you’ve managed to flush it out of your system, get your water tested ASAP.

Bad food

Finally, if you’ve noticed a slight “off” taste to some of your food and can’t pinpoint why, it might be due to your water. Contaminants can find their way into your food if you do lots of cooking with water and leave a bitter taste. With baked food, it could also lead to the yeast not working the right way so might leave your bake lacking.

The best way to ensure your water is completely clear of contaminants is to invest in a professional water filter system. Get in touch with us today to learn more.