When you invest in a water purifier, you’re entrusting it with one of the most essential resources in your home: your drinking water. Whether you have a whole home water purifier or a more specialized RO system, it’s crucial to ensure that the purifier is actually delivering clean and safe water. Over time, filters can become clogged, or the system may malfunction, leaving you with water that isn’t as pure as you think.
In this article, we’ll explore 3 ways to test your water quality to make sure your water purifier is really doing its job and providing you with the clean drinking water. From easy at-home testing to professional solutions, we’ve got you covered.
Why Water Purifiers Matter?
Water purifiers or whole home water purifiers are designed to remove harmful contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, chlorine, heavy metals, and sediments. But while these systems can be highly effective, they are not foolproof. Various factors, such as poor maintenance, worn-out filters, or a faulty system, can lead to reduced performance, meaning your purifier isn’t doing what it’s supposed to do.
Regular testing not only ensures that your water is safe but also helps extend the lifespan of your purifier by catching issues early. By staying proactive, you can enjoy pure, great-tasting water without worrying about hidden contaminants slipping through the cracks.
- Conduct a TDS Test (Total Dissolved Solids Test)
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) refers to the total concentration of dissolved substances in your water, which can include a variety of minerals, salts, metals, and other contaminants. These substances typically come from natural sources such as rocks and soil, but they can also come from human activities like industrial processes or agriculture. TDS is often measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L).
The Role of Minerals in TDS: Some dissolved solids, like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are beneficial to health but can affect water taste and quality. For instance, calcium and magnesium cause hard water, leading to scaling in appliances, though they’re generally harmless and often added for their health benefits, especially in areas with soft water.
The Problem with High TDS Levels: High TDS levels can create unpleasant tastes (salty, metallic, or bitter) and make water appear cloudy or murky. This can make drinking water unappealing, particularly for those used to cleaner, purer water.
What High TDS Could Mean: In addition to harmless minerals (such as calcium and magnesium), high TDS levels may also indicate the presence of potentially harmful substances such as:
- Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury that can pose serious health risks when consumed over time.
- Chlorides or sulfates that may result from agricultural runoff or industrial contamination.
- Pesticides or other chemicals used in farming that may leach into the water supply.
How to Test TDS:
- Purchase a TDS Meter: This portable device is widely available and is one of the simplest ways to measure water quality at home. It measures the level of dissolved solids in your water.
- Test Water Before and After Filtration: For a reliable result, test the water directly from the tap (before filtration) and compare it to the water that comes out of your water purifier.
- Interpreting Results: Generally, TDS levels below 50 are considered excellent for drinking water. TDS levels between 50-150 are acceptable, while anything above 200 suggests that the water may still contain significant amounts of contaminants.
If your water purifier isn’t reducing the TDS by at least 90%, there may be an issue with the filter or membrane, and it’s time to replace them.
- Perform a Water Taste and Odor Test
Why Taste and Odor Are Important: One of the most immediate indicators of poor water quality is an unpleasant taste or smell. Water that tastes metallic, chlorine-like, or salty could be a sign that your water purifier isn’t properly filtering contaminants. Even if your purifier is doing a good job of removing visible particles, it may not be effectively eliminating harmful chemicals that impact the taste and odor of your water.
How to Test Taste and Odor:
- Taste Test: After running your water through the water purifier, take a small sample and taste it. It should taste clean, fresh, and neutral. If you detect a chemical or chlorine taste, your filter may not be working correctly.
- Smell Test: Smell the water after filtration. If you still detect any chlorine, sulfur, or moldy smells, it’s a sign your purifier is not filtering out all the contaminants.
To enhance both taste and odor, some advanced systems like AquaTru’s Under Sink and Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Purifiers incorporate multiple stages of filtration to ensure your water is not only clean but also tastes and smells great. AquaTru’s pH + Mineral Boost Alkaline VOC filter uses a proprietary blend of healthy minerals combined with activated carbon to remove VOC contaminants while also adding beneficial minerals and alkalizing the water.
- Visual Inspection: Check for Cloudiness and Sediment
Why Visual Quality Is a Sign of Purity: While visual clarity doesn’t tell the whole story, it can provide a useful indication of your water’s quality. If your water looks cloudy or contains visible particles, it’s likely that your purifier isn’t effectively filtering out suspended solids, dirt, or bacteria. This could be particularly problematic in homes that rely on whole home water purifiers, where water from all taps should be uniformly clear and clean.
How to Inspect Water:
- Look for Cloudiness: Take a clear glass and fill it with water from your water purifier. Hold it up to the light. If the water looks cloudy, or you can see floating particles, your filter may need cleaning or replacing.
- Check for Sediment: Sediment buildup can also indicate a failing filter or clogging. If your purifier isn’t clearing up visible sediments, your filters may need to be replaced, or the system may require maintenance.
If you are using a whole home water purifier, cloudiness or visible particles in your water could be a sign of issues at the point of entry, requiring a professional inspection.
Bonus Tip: Use Professional Water Testing Services
If you want a thorough and scientifically accurate understanding of your water quality, consider using professional water testing services. These services can test for a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides, and more. They provide a detailed report that can help you better understand the limitations of your current water purifier.
Professional tests are particularly useful if you live in an area with questionable water quality or if you have specific concerns about contamination.
Conclusion
Your water purifier is a crucial investment in your health, and it’s essential to ensure that it is working properly. By using these three tests – TDS testing, taste and odor analysis, and visual inspection – you can monitor the effectiveness of your purifier and make sure you’re drinking the cleanest, safest water possible.
