Access to safe and clean drinking water is essential to health. A clear appearance does not guarantee that water is safe to drink. There may be harmful contaminants even under seemingly clean conditions. It is at this juncture that drinking water testing assumes importance. Testing ensures that your water is safe and identifies any impurities. In this article, we shall explore six common drinking water tests carried out in a drinking water testing lab, while also drawing attention to the need for testing in an accredited laboratory, especially in Malaysia.
Why Water Testing Matters to Drink
Testing of water protects human health by maintaining water quality. To this end, the presence of contaminants in water will lead to illness. Testing helps detect bacteria, chemicals, and pollutants that can cause harm to health based on drinking water testing. On top of that, testing will help prevent waterborne diseases by giving a chance for early detection of contamination.
Accredited laboratories in Malaysia conduct testing by worldwide standards. These laboratories are well-equipped to provide comprehensive testing services. As a result, consumers receive water quality reports that are reliable and accurate.
1. Microbiological Testing
Microbiological testing is carried out to identify harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the water.
- Check for Bacteria: It detects pathogens including E. coli and coliform bacteria. They can cause stomach problems or serious health complications.
- Importance: Contaminated water should not contain harmful microbes. The test confirms that the water is free from microbial contamination.
- Critical Findings: This sort of contaminated water source, is old or laid improperly, and absence of any appropriate system of water treatment. For instance, microbiological tests allow for a better perception of critical water safety. Moreover, it helps keep away water-borne diseases.
2. Chemical Testing
Chemical tests are carried out to ensure the presence of lethal chemicals in the water which may result in waterborne diseases after certain periods.
- Tests Done: They test heavy metal substances such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. It also tests for nitrates and pesticides.
- Effects of Contaminants: These chemicals can cause severe health issues. Examples include cancer. The risks are more pronounced for children and pregnant women.
- Importance: An accredited water testing laboratory in Malaysia ensures that the chemicals in your water are below safe limits. Also, the test report usually states the type of chemical contamination and its concentration.
- On the other hand, periodic chemical testing indicates any hazardous chemicals that might be present in your water source.
3. pH Test
pH testing is on the grounds of the acidic or alkaline nature present in the water since it influences its taste and quality.
- Perfect pH Range: The desired rate of pH for drinking water must be between 6.5 and 8.5. If it is beyond this range, the taste of the water is not palatable, being either bitter or sour.
- Impact on pH: When the water is very acidic or basic, it produces skin irritation or digestive complaints. Secondly, the low pH level causes corrosiveness in pipes which leads to heavy metal contamination.
- Importance: An accredited laboratory in Malaysia for testing ensures that the pH of the water is neutral, thereby avoiding the health or plumbing system effects.
- The total mineral balance in your water is also explained by this pH level.
4. Testing for Turbidity
It is also defined as how clear or hazy the water looks. It is a very good indicator of a body of water's quality.
- Clarity Check: Turbidity tests measure the suspended particles in the water. The more, the cloudier it is.
- Impact on Health: High turbidity levels can indicate the existence of harmful microorganisms, sediment, or chemicals. The cloud water may not look so healthy, but the real danger lies in what it hides.
- Importance: Turbidity testing reveals contamination that cannot be visibly observed. Testing ensures clean, clear water is available for drinking.
- The results from the turbidity test confirm whether additional treatment of the water is required.
5. Hardness Testing
Water hardness occurs with high quantities of calcium and magnesium ions.
- Effects on Appliances: Water hardness causes scales in pipes, boilers, and other appliances that use the water. This also reduces the efficiency of soaps.
- Health Impact: Although hard water is not toxic, high hardness may lead to dry skin or hair.
- Importance: Test results for hardness will enable you to know the mineral composition in your water. Once you test with a lab that is accredited with ISO/IEC 17025:2005, you will get proper treatment solutions for the problems once their results are known.
- Besides this, testing for hardness may save you from costly long-term appliance damage.
6. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Testing
TDS testing measures the concentration of dissolved substances in water, including minerals, salts, and metals.
- TDS Levels: Water with very high TDS levels may have a salty or bitter taste. On the other hand, such low TDS levels lack the basic minerals, such as calcium.
- Importance: Proper TDS balance is essential to enjoy good water taste while maintaining health. Accredited laboratories test TDS to help you balance your water's mineral content.
- Apart from these, TDS testing gives an overall indication of the quality of water.
Selecting an Accredited Drinking Water Testing Lab in Malaysia
Accredited labs operate based on international standards. If you are looking for a lab to test your water, then you have to ensure that it is accredited by the required bodies such as SAMM (Standards Malaysia Accreditation). In Malaysia, drinking water testing labs offer reports that are highly accurate and reliable. In addition to this, they employ advanced technology while performing a wide range of tests.
- Advantages of Accredited Laboratories: They provide accurate and reliable results. Besides, they use state-of-the-art techniques for detecting trace amounts of contaminants.
- Compliance: Accredited laboratories will comply with local, as well as international safety standards. This is particularly important when evaluating water intended for business or public consumption.
- Reliability: Their accreditation gives assurance that the test will be robust and reliable.
Thus, choosing an accredited laboratory ensures that you will obtain an all-around impression of your water quality.
In addition, knowing the types of water tests available for drinking water will most likely allow you to make better decisions as to whether water is safe to drink. Furthermore, using an accredited laboratory will allow you to have a sense of certainty that the results are accurate and actionable.
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