It is the ability of water to neutralize acid. Drinking water should have a pH of 7 meaning that it's neutral. The Alkalinity of the water can maintain a neutral Ph even in the event of pollution. Alkalinity is usually only a problem at very high levels and is only a problem in heated water, for example your hot water tank or your radiators. Highly alkaline water can cause corrosion of hot water pipes, tanks and fittings. The recommended level of Alkalinity in drinking water is 20-200 mg/L.
Your result: Your water’s Alkalinity level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
Aluminium is one of the most widely used metals and also one of the most frequently found compounds in the earth's crust. Exposure to Aluminium in high concentrations and prolonged periods can cause irritation and potentially permanent damage to the central nervous system resulting in Dementia, Loss of memory Listlessness, Severe trembling. The maximum allowable limit for Aluminium in drinking water is 200 μg/l.
Your result: Your water’s Aluminium level is approaching the Advisory recommended value and you may be experiencing some problems
Ammonia is toxic to some fish and other aquatic organisms at concentrations below 1 mg/l (ppm) in water. Long-term ingestion of water containing more than 1 mg/l (ppm) ammonia may be damaging to internal organ systems. Solutions having concentrations greater than 1000 mg/l (ppm) can cause severe burns and scarring of sensitive skin and mucous membranes.
Organic matter present in water provides nutrients for bacteria growth. This causes a depletion of dissolved oxygen in the water. The BOD is the amount of oxygen used by microorganisms to break down organic matter. Oxygen demand affects fish and other flora and fauna. Sources of high BOD are domestic, industrial and agricultural waste discharge, decaying plants and animal wastes.
Chloride helps keep the body maintain good blood volume, blood pressure, and pH of your body fluids. High levels of Chloride in water can cause a notable taste change. The maximum allowable limit for Chloride in drinking water is 250 mg/l.
Your result: Your water’s Chloride level is below the EU recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a measure of the ability of water to use oxygen when organic matter breaks down. It is an important factor in water quality as it indicates how wastewater will impact the environment. At high levels COD can affect human health as well as the environment. For all other water types the COD limit is compared to an individual company or persons discharge license or waste permit.
Conductivity is the ability of water to conduct electricity. Conductivity can increase when water is released over soils high in salts or minerals. It's measurement can indicate impact a water system may have on the environemnt. High conductivity can affect a persons blood and water ballance and affect blood pressure. The drinking water limit for conductivty is 2,500 μS/cm.
Copper is a chemical element or metal. Copper can be released in water systems from th agicultural and manufacturing industries. Copper pipes can over time allow copper to be produced in drinking water. Copper exposure can cause gastrointestinal distress, and with long-term exposure may experience liver or kidney damage. The drinking water limit for copper is 2 mg/l.
Your result: Your water’s Copper level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
Hardness is the level of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts. Hardness in water is in fact beneficial to health, reducing mortality rates from heart diseases and also improving the taste of the water. However, at levels above 150 mg/L CaCO3 it can cause limescale buildup in kettles, on washing machine and dishwasher elements, and in hot water tanks and piping. Water hardness below 60 mg/l is soft, 60–120 mg/l is moderately hard, 120–180 mg/l is hard and more than 180 mg/l is very hard.
Your result: Your water’s Hardness level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
This test measures the amount of iron dissolved in your water. Excessive levels of iron in water do not generally pose a health hazard but do cause problems with staining (clothes, food and sinks or baths) and taste (especially tea, coffee and some whiskies).
Your result: Your water’s Iron level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
Lead in drinking water can also cause a variety of adverse health effects. Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water.
Your result: Your water’s Lead level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
Magnesium is an essential nutrient found commonly in natural water. Magnesium and calcium often perform the same functions within the human body. There are no known cases of magnesium poisoning. At large oral doses magnesium may cause vomiting and diarrhea. High doses of magnesium in medicine and food supplements may cause muscle slackening, nerve problems, depressions and personality changes. High levels of magnesium can lead to limescale formation.
Your result: Your water’s Magnesium level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
This test measures the amount of manganese dissolved in your water. Excessive levels of manganese in water cause the problems of a bitter metallic taste from and a black to brown colour in the water, as well as severe black staining. Health risks are not generally a problem, as water containing manganese at toxic levels will be undrinkable due to the taste. Nevertheless drinking water with elevated manganese levels can, in the long term, cause a manganese build-up in your system.
Your result: Your water’s Manganese level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
High nitrate levels in water can cause methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome, a condition found especially in infants under six months. The stomach acid of an infant is not as strong as in older children and adults. This causes an increase in bacteria that can readily convert nitrate to nitrite (NO2). Do not let infants drink water that exceeds 10 mg/l NO3-N. This includes formula preparation.
Fats, Oils and Grease (or the waste-water industry’s term, “FOG”) can cause serious problems in your sewer system. From spills to clogged pipes, these contaminants can debilitate any hydrologic system through coagulation within internal piping and over time—cause manhole overflows, sewage spills and backups into public homes and businesses.
This test measures the acidity of your water. Acidity has no direct health effects as such, but acid water generally contains high levels of metals leached from underground deposits. In addition, if your piping is copper your water will have elevated copper levels, leading to indirect health effects, as well as potential problems with corrosion of copper hot water tanks and piping. A very low pH can also have an aggravating effect on some peoples skin.
Sodium is a dietary mineral, partially responsible for nerve functions. Sodium shortages may lead to dehydration, convulsion, muscle paralysis, decreased growth and general numbness. People with heart and kidney disease are recommended a sodium poor diet.
Your result: Your water’s Sodium level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
People not used to drinking water with high levels of sulfate can experience dehydration and diarrhea. Kids are often more sensitive to sulfate than adults. As a safety measure, water with a sulfate level exceeding 400 mg/l should not be used in the preparation of baby food. Older children and adults become used to high sulfate levels after a few days
Your result: Your water’s Sulphate level is below the Advisory recommended value so you should not be experiencing any problems.
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
N/A
Too much phosphate can cause health problems, such as kidney damage and osteoporosis. Phosphate shortages can also occur. These are caused by extensive use of medicine. Too little phosphate can cause health problems.
This test measures the clearness of your water. Turbidity is a very good indicator of water quality, as it is caused by a variety of factors such as clay particles, silt, sand, sewage solids, bacteria, and organic or biological sludge. The exact health effects of high turbidity depend on the particular material(s) causing it.
