Safe drinking water is one of the chief requirements of a healthy life, and yet, many people fail to realize the hazards of drinking impure water and continue regardless of health concerns. A major reason for this is lack of awareness. If your drinking water appears to be clear, That does not necessarily mean that it is safe to drink. Many deaths are caused by water borne diseases, and contaminated water is one of the major causes. Therefore, water testing is a must to avoid the health hazards of polluted water.

There’s no general rule to test the quality of water, and it is also not possible to test each and every contaminant. That is costly and unnecessary as well. Contaminants are generally tasteless, odorless, and invisible, thus their presence can only be determined through testing. Contaminants are classified in two categories. They are: which are primary contaminants that influence the well-being of humans, and which do not affect healthbut produce hostile flavor, pigment, and odor .

Nitrate and Lead (Chemical contaminants)

Nitrate is a significant element, and its low levels are produced naturally, while higher levels signify contamination caused by humans. Nitrate is found in hard water caused by overuse of land, fertilizers, infected systems, animal dung, and unmanaged lagoons. Although nitrate containing water is harmful to  everyone, negative effects are more pronounced in toddlers and pregnant women. They should avoid water that is not properly tested. Drinking water may also contain lead, mixing from lead pipes, and improper plumbing especially in older buildings. Like nitrate, lead also poses major health threats such as kidney issues, high blood pressure in adults, learning disabilities in children, attention deficit disorder, and other bodily and mental health issues.

Pesticides (Agriculture contaminants)

Ground water, which is often potable, is also at risk of pesticide contamination. This usually occurs in regions where pesticides are used. Pesticides are contamination issues in cases of accidental spills, leakage, pesticide applications, or disposition of contaminated material into boreholes.

Bacteria (Microbial contaminants)

Bacteria are unicellular organisms that commonly grow in lakes, rivers, and brooks. Bacteria may be detrimental or not for humans; but in most cases, they are non-detrimental. Harmful bacteria target animal and human intestines because they are warm-blooded creatures and can experience a variety of ailments and infections. The majority of harmless bacteria contain large amounts of destructive bacteria with other disease-causing elements such as protozoa and viruses. Other ailments can result when water may have been in contact with human or animal stool. People with feeble immune systems can be affected by pathogens that can lead to severe diseases as well.

There are many  water-polluting contaminants, but the ones we have mentioned above are those which water is typically tested for.