WATER QUALITY

Introduction
Your water supply is either public (your house is connected by pipe to a public or municipal system that draws water from rivers, reservoirs, springs, or ground water wells) or private (you supply your own water). If your water comes from a public or municipal water system, your water is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and State standards. Contaminants may be added to your water after it enters your house through deteriorating pipes and poorly maintained water treatment equipment. If your drinking water comes from your own well, you alone are responsible for assuring that it is safe. For this reason, routine testing for a few common contaminants is highly recommended. Even if you currently have a safe, pure water supply, regular testing can be valuable because it establishes a record of water quality. This record can be helpful in solving future problems and in getting compensation if someone damages your water supply. If you have not tested your water in the past few years it is a good idea to do so.

When Should You Test Your Water
When purchasing a home it is a good idea to have the water supply tested for ph, nitrate, iron, manganese, copper, chloride, hardness, coliform bacteria, and other contaminants which may be present in the local area.

Once each year test for coliform bacteria, nitrate, ph and TDS(total dissolved solids).

Every three years test for sulfate, chloride, iron, manganese, lead, and hardness.

If a new baby is expected in the household it is a good idea to test for nitrate and lead in the early months of pregnancy and again during the first six months of the baby's life.

The above testing frequencies are general guidelines. Always test immediately if you suspect there is a problem with the quality of your drinking water.

Whether you have a public or private water supply, you should have your water tested if any of the following situations arise:

If a family member or house guest has recurrent gastrointestinal illness.

If household water supply pipes are made with lead, lead fittings, or lead solder joints.

If you wish to monitor the efficiency of home water treatment equipment.

If water stains plumbing fixtures and laundry.

If water has an objectionable taste or smell.

If water appears cloudy, frothy, or colored.

If household plumbing shows signs of excessive corrosion.

If water leaves scaly residues and soaps and detergents are not cleaning adequately.

If water supply equipment wears out rapidly (well pump, etc.).

If you have a private water supply:

If your well is in an area of intense agricultural use.

If your water smells like gasoline or fuel oil.

If your well is near a dump, junkyard, landfill, factory, or dry cleaning operation.

If your well is near seawater, a road salt storage site, or a heavily salted roadway and your water tastes salty.

Where Can You Have Your Water Tested?
Municipal water supply systems test regularly for contaminants and monitor levels of unregulated chemicals. They will provide water quality reports upon request.

Private testing laboratories are listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book; make sure they are certified by your state health department.

The state of Maine Public Health Lab (221 State St. Station 12, Augusta, ME 04333 Tel. 207-287-1716)

Up-Country will draw samples of water and submit them to a State recognized lab for analysis. Standard Mortgage tests, FHA/HUD tests, and other special tests are available upon request.