What is the most accurate and detailed water test ?

Submitted by The0Walrus t3_10o92gx in newjersey

I wanted to test the water system in my house. I live in the Jersey City, Hoboken, & Union City area. Does anyone have any recommended tests? Was looking to buy a whole home water filtration system and was looking to buy something that can take care of everything.

My house is more than 100 years old.

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dryerasenerd t1_j6d8muf wrote

IIRC water treatment plants are required to send out water test results on a regular basis and it's probably on their website.

If you need more testing or are concerned about your own water then you should get a test kit from a lab. Not a free one, those are usually scams. You could also use water test strips which work okay but it depends on the specific thing you are looking for.

Whole home filtration is generally a waste of water and money. Generally simple fridge filters can handle any taste you don't like. For larger problems under the sink filters are generally fine.

If you have lead pipes or something it's generally a better idea to replace the pipes. With pex tubing it is something that you might be able to do yourself or for pretty cheap.

Source: I'm a chemist and keep an aquarium.

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vc1914 t1_j6degeq wrote

Is there an argument to still get a whole home filtration system if your town has high levels of pfos/pfas?

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dryerasenerd t1_j6dj1pb wrote

No. Filter the water you drink. Filtering the water that you flush and wash with is a waste.

NJ also has the most strict PFAS/PFOS requirement in the nation.

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The0Walrus OP t1_j6dl86n wrote

That's an interesting take. I have been fixing up my house and thought about just making sure I have good water system. Those home kits I find on Amazon, are they any good?

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dryerasenerd t1_j6dqk5m wrote

I can't speak to the quality of any tests but you should start with your towns test results and see what you might need to be more sensitive for. Check for standards and certs like NSF

For most things a simple carbon filter will be enough and under the sink or inline systems can be installed cheaply and easily without wasting resources where it's not needed.

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the_twistinside t1_j6dty3c wrote

When I had a similar situation, I just had three different water filtration companies come in and test it. I got similar results from all three so I was able to confirm no shenanigans and purchase the filters that made the most sense.

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KayakHank t1_j6ddl8f wrote

I get my well water tested yearly for pH and Pb through Agra environmental.

They come out, collect samples from sinks and then email me the results. Then I have suburban morris adjust the acid neutralizer and filters to keep it tip top.

I'm sure you could ask Agra to run a complete test

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Ducati_Harley t1_j6eo51p wrote

Depends how much you want to spend. Volatile organic compounds, TCE, lead, RCRA 8 metals, hardness, pH all kinds of things to test for. Where do you live?

There are a few water testing labs out there. But types of tests you want will increase the costs.

There is a lab, www.EMSL.com. You can go there and get the jars and have them run every test under the sun for your water.

My house has a 300’ well, it had a softener when I bought it, and I always had slimy water. I put in a whole house filter then had rain soft put on a carbon filter and Remove the water softener and had great water ever since

IMHO paper filter then carbon filter will clean out just about everything. They come every 5 years and replace the carbon, about $1,500 to install and $800 to recharge.

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