When it comes to the safety of you and your family, you can never be too careful.
As such, you may have wondered whether the drinking water that comes to your tap is really clean and safe. There are many contaminants that can leak into your water supply despite multiple rounds of purification. Whether it is lead contamination due to old pipes or microorganism growth in stagnant water, these impurities can cause serious health impacts.
So, what can you do about it?
You’re in luck! Gone are the days where water testing required professionals and it took weeks to get lab results. These days, with DIY drinking water test kits and instant online reports, you can know if your water is safe within a day.
Whether you would like to only test for specific contaminants or reassure yourself by testing for over 150 contaminants, these water test kits can offer it all! You might be thinking that this is sure to cost you an arm and a leg!
Not at all!
These drinking water test kits are affordable and require no previous experience. They also deliver accurate readings with minimal errors. This is why they’ve become all the rage for any safety-conscious individual.
For your convenience, we have below an in-depth review of 10 of the best drinking water test kits. Not just this, we have also included a comprehensive comparison table and some FAQs to further help you find the best kit for your needs.
So, let’s dive right in!
If you have been unsure about the quality of the drinking water in your house, you can get one of the multitude of water test kits flooding the market. There can simply be no compromise when it comes to your health and safety.
Therefore, if you are looking for a premium drinking water test kit, we recommend you go for the Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit. Despite the higher price tag, it covers all mailing and testing charges. Furthermore, it checks for 200 contaminants in a reliable laboratory and delivers quick, online results for a high degree of safety and convenience.
For a more budget choice that delivers an excellent performance, we recommend the HoneForest TDS Meter Accurate and Reliable Water Quality Tester. It comes with an auto-lock and auto-off function with a backlit LCD for easy reading. Additionally, it sports a high-quality titanium alloy probe and also comes with a 3-year warranty.
Quick Summary of the Best Drinking Water Test Kit
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
| Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit | This drinking water test kit offers a superior degree of safety by testing against 200 contaminants. The testing process is simple and the laboratory is EPA certified. There are no additional fees and the results are delivered on-time and online. | |
 | HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester | With this drinking water test kit, you get a readout accuracy of 3%. It also delivers instant results and detects any salt, metal, or metal impurity in your drinking water sample. | |
 | Health Metric Drinking-Water Test Kit For Municipal Tap and Well Water | This test kit detects even minute traces of lead and copper in your water supply. Additionally, it also tests for pH, hardness, and bacteria in your water. It is a DIY test with an easy-to-follow guide. | |
| HoneForest TDS Meter Accurate and Reliable Water Quality Tester | For anybody looking for an affordable and reliable drinking water test kit, this is it. With a handy backlit LCD and an auto-lock, auto-off function, this device is very easy to use and allows you to measure three different metrics of water. | |
 | Health Metric Lead Iron Copper and Mercury- Home Water Test Kit | With this drinking water test kit, you can get reliable testing that provides individual tests over lump sum results. It delivers results within 15 minutes and provides clear instructions so laboratory testing is not required. | |
 | Health Metric Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water | This drinking water test kit provides accurate and instant results, detecting 8 different impurities with ease. It comes with a handy color guide and a super easy DIY testing mechanism. | |
| Crystal Water Filters 15 in 1 Drinking Water Test Kit Strips | Crystal Water Filters offers highly sensitive test strips and instant results. Additionally, even at highly affordable pricing, the kit includes 100 testing strips so that you can perform frequent testing without any additional costs. | |
 | JNW Direct Water Total Hardness Test Strips | Many drinking water test strips include a hardness test but they aren’t very accurate. With the JNW Total Hardness Test Strips, you can get a test kit dedicated to only detecting the water hardness level in your drinking water. | |
 | Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit | This drinking water test kit is backed by a company that flaunts 25-years of experience in this field. Furthermore, this test is backed by an EPA-certified laboratory and sports a highly sensitive and reliable test. | |
 | Test Assured Drinking-Water Test Kit | Test Assured brings its super convenient drinking water test kit that covers 10 different contaminants. Following EPA guidelines, this kit is super easy to follow and even comes with a 100% money-back guarantee in case you aren’t satisfied with the product. |
Best Drinking Water Test Kits in 2022 – Reviewed
1. Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit
If you are looking for a drinking water test kit that can deliver exceptional performance by testing for 200 contaminants as well as offering a quick and easy report system, then you need to look no further than the Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 48 ounces |
| No. of Contaminants Tested: | 200 |
| Type of Testing: | Confirmation (Lab Certified) |
| Highlight: | No additional fees |
The following are the detailed features of this drinking water test kit:
Detects 200 Contaminants
Offering an unparalleled testing capability, the Safe Home ULTIMATE is a highly efficient drinking water testing system. This kit covers 32 metals, 11 unwanted physical properties, 6 organic compounds, 16 semi-volatile organic compounds, 77 volatile organic compounds, 4 total trihalomethanes, and 2 plasticizers.
This means that no matter what your concerns about the impurities in your drinking water are, with this kit you are sure to get high-quality testing. The broad range covers not just the major contaminants such as lead, mercury, arsenic, trihalomethanes, pesticides, and bacteria, but also other dangerous but lesser-known impurities.
High Convenience
Despite the higher price tag, this drinking water test kit offers convenience like no other. The company offers free shipping for your test samples. This means that purchasing this kit is a one-time expense and there will be no hidden charges. Similarly, the testing is literally as simple as one, two, three.
One: Collect your drinking samples.
Two: Ship your sample, completely free of charge, to the EPA-Certified Laboratory.
Three: Receive a super convenient online report
This kit completely eliminates the need to test for individual contaminants by testing for all 200 impurities at once. Similarly, there is no more waiting for mailed results or the danger of misplaced results. All you have to do is provide an email address and you will have access to the results on-time.
Brand Reliability
Safe Home is the leading brand in the field of water testing. These tests have been verified by reliable sources such as Underwriter Laboratories and the American Red Cross Laboratories. Not only that but this kit has been listed as one of the top new products in the world at the National Hardware Show. Over four million of these tests have been sold, which only adds to product reliability.
Our Verdict
The Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit is quite expensive. However, it backs up this premium price tag with a range of premium features such as advanced testing, convenient results, and excellent brand reliability.
2. HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester
If you are in the market for a portable and affordable drinking water test kit that is highly effective at detecting TDS impurities and extremely convenient to use, then the HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester will suit you well.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 1.12 ounces |
| No. of Contaminants Tested: | All TDS contaminants |
| Type of Testing: | Digital (DIY) |
| Highlight: | 3% Readout accuracy |
Some of the major features of this drinking water test kit are as follows:
Advanced Microprocessor Technology
Despite being a highly affordable model, the HM Digital TDS-EZ offers a highly efficient drinking water test kit. It employs an advanced microprocessor technology that delivers results with a 3% readout accuracy.
It also covers a very wide measurement range between 0-9990 ppm. For the first 999 ppm, the resolution increases by 1ppm each. However, beyond that, it increases by 10 ppm per reading. The lower end of the scale, i.e. 0 means that the water is pure.
High Convenience
This water test kit sports a pen design that is super easy to carry and yet durable. Forget having to wait for multiple days for laboratory test results, this kit can deliver an instant result with its LCD display. It also has an auto-off function that helps you save battery. Additionally, the hold button even saves your measurements so that you can record and read the test results with ease.
If you suspect that your water supply has been contaminated with any total dissolved solids, all you have to do is push a button and you can assess the purity of your water. This can include any salt, metal, or mineral impurity. Furthermore, the convenient size and quick testing make this kit suitable not just for drinking water but also aquariums, pools, spas, and more.
Our Verdict
The HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester offers an easy-to-read and record LCD screen along with a high-accuracy system to ensure that your drinking water is free from any TDS impurities.
3. Health Metric Drinking-Water Test Kit For Municipal Tap and Well Water
If you are searching for a DIY water testing kit that can deliver instant results and a highly sensitive test against lead, chlorine, and other impurities, then you should go for the Drinking-Water Test Kit For Municipal Tap and Well Water.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 3.2 ounces |
| No. of Contaminants Tested: | 9 |
| Type of Testing: | Test Strips (DIY) |
| Highlight: | Excellent for lead and copper detection |
The main features of this drinking water test kit are as follows:
Includes 9-tests
This highly effective drinking water test kit offers 9 tests in it’s DIY set. This includes one test each for lead, bacteria, and copper, and two tests each for chlorine, nitrite and nitrates. Additionally, it includes a 3-way test to measure the pH, alkalinity, and the hardness of the water.
High Degree of Safety
Impurities like lead and copper in your water can lead to plumbing problems like pipe corrosion and staining. High amounts of chlorine or bacteria in your water can cause food poisoning as well as other serious health problems.
Similarly, too much hardness in your water can result in limescale buildup and leave you with a pungent odor and bad taste in your drinking water. But with the effective detection delivered by this test kit, you can keep yourself well protected against all these side effects.
Extremely Easy to Use
This test kit comes with an easy-to-follow instruction manual. This manual provides a step-by-step guide along with a simple color guide so that you can detect the presence of contaminants and also the concentration. There is no need to rely on lab testing and ridiculous waiting lines. With this DIY test, you can save hundreds of dollars and ensure quality drinking water for yourself and your family.
4. HoneForest TDS Meter Accurate and Reliable Water Quality Tester
If you are looking for a portable and reliable at-home drinking water tester that can measure three metrics of water and deliver a high convenience package, then you need to look no further than the HoneForest TDS Meter Accurate and Reliable Water Quality Tester.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 1.6 ounces |
| No. of Contaminants Tested: | All TDS contaminants |
| Type of Testing: | Digital (DIY) |
| Type of Testing: | 3-Year warranty |
Here are the main features of this drinking water test kit:
Accurate Reading
This sturdy testing pen comes with a high-quality titanium alloy probe. This probe is paired with an Automatic Temperature Compensation. All you have to do is dip the tester into your sample water. It delivers nearly instant and high accuracy results as the backlit LCD screen will show you immediate results.
The measurement range for total dissolved solids such as various salts, minerals, and metal impurities is 0-9990 ppm. It can thus provide a reliable reading regarding the concentration of TDS present. The backlight will turn green if the TDS level is under 40 and red if it is higher than 40.
Multi-purpose Testing
You can test three different metrics of your drinking water with this test kit. You can test the total dissolved solids, water temperature, as well as the electrical conductivity.
This multi-purpose testing ensures that you can not only have safe drinking water but also easily check the temperature of the water before feeding an infant. Furthermore, this handy device is equally efficient for aquariums, pools, hydroponics, and so on.
Convenient Features
Using the HoneForest TDS Meter is as simple as dipping the pen in your water supply and stirring. It is highly affordable, light, and dependable. The stabilized readings remain locked onto the LCD screen so that you can read the results with ease. Furthermore, this device needs no calibration and is ready to use straight out of the box.
Similarly, it is battery efficient and will switch off automatically upon two minutes of inactivity. It flaunts a very long battery life and is bound to fit any budget with ease. It also comes with a 3-year warranty so that any problems you may have are addressed immediately.
Our Verdict
The HoneForest TDS Meter Accurate and Reliable Water Quality Tester offers a 3-in-1 portable and dependable testing that can easily fit your budget.
5. Health Metric Lead Iron Copper and Mercury- Home Water Test Kit
If you are in the market for a drinking water test kit that can provide you a quick and effective detection of heavy metals at an affordable pricing, then you should go for the Health Metric Lead Iron Copper and Mercury- Home Water Test Kit.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 0.64 ounces |
| No. of Contaminants Tested: | 4 |
| Type of Testing: | Test Strips (DIY) |
| Highlight: | Affordable and effective individual testing |
The following are the detailed features of this drinking water test kit:
Heavy Metal Detection
Certain heavy metals are a common concern when it comes to drinking water. Lead is one of the leading contaminants. This is largely caused due to the use of old galvanized pipes to transport water. Similarly, other heavy metals like mercury, copper, and iron can also contaminate your water. This is why this drinking water test kit includes: one lead test and two mercury, copper, and iron tests each.
Excessive mercury can cause kidney damage whereas high levels of copper cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains and can also cause liver damage. These metals are very dangerous for your health but with this drinking water test kit, you can test individually for these tests. Forget kits that provide lump sum results and get the accurate and reliable results you need.
Accurate Results
This drinking water test kit requires no prior knowledge of testing. Similarly, the test itself will only take you 2 minutes and it includes step-by-step instructions to avoid any confusion. The test strips are calibrated with very fine increments so it is able to detect even the faintest amount of metals present in your drinking water. Additionally, these tests follow the EPA guidelines closely so there is no question in their reliability.
Reliability
Health Metric has been providing dependable and precise water testing kits for many years now. This is a company that is based in the USA and follows the safety standards without any compromises. When it comes to your health, you cannot take chances on cheap, foreign-made test kits that cannot guarantee quality.
Furthermore, Health Metric also has a dedicated team of EPA experts with over 30 years of experience in the water quality industry. If you have any questions regarding the product or the quality, you can reach out to them and they will be happy to quench your curiosity.
Our Verdict
The Health Metric Lead Iron Copper and Mercury- Home Water Test Kit, is an excellent choice for anybody who is concerned about the presence of heavy metals in their water supply. It delivers quick, simple, and reliable testing without high laboratory fees.
6. Health Metric Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water
If you are in the market for a straightforward DIY test with the accuracy on-par with laboratory results for your well water, then you can’t go wrong with the Health Metric Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 3.52 ounces |
| No. of Contaminants Tested: | 8 |
| Type of Testing: | Test Strips (DIY) |
| Highlight: | Super easy and accurate testing |
Some of the main features of this drinking water test kit are detailed as follows:
Super Easy DIY Testing
Many people think that well water testing needs a science degree or a laboratory test, but that is simply not true. With the Health Metric Well Water Test Kit, you can perform a test so simple that you can have the results within just a few minutes.
The kit includes a color-coded card that helps you check exactly what contaminants are present in your well water. On top of that, you can also check the levels of these contaminants so that you can take the required purification steps. If you are confused at any point, there is a free user guide that will give you step-by-step instructions.
Tests for 8 Different Contaminants
Well water is susceptible to a wide range of contaminants. Additionally, groundwater is also likely full of calcium and magnesium which forms hard water. While hard water does not have any health consequences, they tend to have a bad odor and taste.
You can avoid this by using the 8 different tests that come with this kit. The 8 tests include one bacteria test and two manganese, hydrogen sulfide, nitrate and nitrite, pH, alkalinity and hardness tests each.
Reliable
Health Metric is a well-known brand when it comes to water safety. These tests are manufactured in the USA and follow the EPA standards. This means that you can rest assured that you are not being delivered some foreign knock-off item. If you have any concerns about the authenticity of this test kit, you can reach out to the company and their team of EPA water quality experts for more details.
Our Verdict
The Health Metric Well Water Test Kit is a superb choice for a no-nonsense testing strip that delivers easy and accurate test results within minutes for your well water.
7. Crystal Water Filters 15 in 1 Drinking Water Test Kit Strips
For anyone looking for an affordable, easy, and reliable testing of 15 different contaminants in a single test strip, the Crystal Water Filters 15 in 1 Drinking Water Test Kit Strips comes with 100 test strips offering a true bang for your buck.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 0.8 ounces |
| No. of Contaminants Tested: | 15 |
| Type of Testing: | Test Strips (DIY) |
| Highlight: | 100 Testing Strips |
The major features of this drinking water test kit are explained as follows:
Effective Testing for 15 Contaminants
Covering an extensive list of impurities in the drinking water test kit from Crystal Water Filters. The 15-in-1 test strip checks your drinking water for fluoride, total chlorine, lead, iron, copper, chloride, cyanuric acid, bromine, carbonate, ammonium, total alkalinity, total hardness, pH, nitrite and nitrate.
With this test kit, you can test your water for presence of a wide variety of common metals, as well as test the pH value and the hardness in your water. It ensures that you only get the high-quality safety that you and your family deserves.
Super Sensitive Strips
When it comes to drinking water safety, a compromise is simply unacceptable. Here is a company that understands this. These test strips are highly sensitive and can detect even trace amounts of these pollutants. It doesn’t just detect the presence of these contaminants but also shows the concentration present. Additionally, the handy color chart shows you the acceptable levels of these impurities ensuring a high degree of safety.
High Convenience
Ensuring safe drinking water for you and your family doesn’t have to drive a hole in your wallet. This affordable kit delivers high value for your money by delivering 100 testing strips so that you can double-check and perform regular water quality checks with ease.
Speaking of ease, performing this test only takes you three steps and a couple of minutes. First you dip the test strip into your water sample, then you hold it flat for 30 seconds. After that you can compare the color change on the test strip with the color- guide provided and that’s it! It is the quick, easy and accurate reading that suits your needs!
8. JNW Direct Water Total Hardness Test Strips
If you are looking for a highly affordable drinking water test kit to test the hardness of your water, the JNW Direct Water Total Hardness Test Strips comes with 150 reliable test strips for your convenience.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
Here are the detailed features of this drinking water test kit:
Effective Use
Hard water can result in unwanted scale buildup on your plumbing and kitchen appliances. It can also be harsh on your skin, hair, and laundry. This drinking water test kit can provide you with efficient testing for your water softener system. The test strips cover a wide range between soft and hard water.
Very Convenient
At under $15, this drinking water test kit comes with 150 testing strips so that you can perform regular checks with just one pack. Furthermore, the process should only take you about 15 seconds and the kit includes a free app as well as a detailed ebook.
All you have to do is dip the test strip into the drinking water sample. The strip will change colors based on the hardness present in your water. After that, simply match the color to the corresponding color chart to know how serious the problem i
Our Verdict
With the JNW Direct Water Total Hardness Test Strips, you can prevent foul-tasting hard water with its quick and easy testing trips and complimentary ebook guide.
9. Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit
If you are searching for a drinking water test kit that can deliver a super sensitive DIY testing that is backed by an EPA-certified laboratory, then the Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit can be your one-stop solution.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
The following are the major features of this drinking water test kit:
Covers a Wide Range of Impurities
This drinking water test kit includes six separate test kits. Four of these are test strips that you simply dip into your sample water. These help you test for the presence of copper, iron, nitrate and nitrite, and a 3-in-1 pH, hardness, and chlorine test.
The other is a bacteria test that requires you to add water into a test vial, shake, and leave for 48 hours. A color change will notify you about the presence of unwanted microorganisms. Similarly, a lead and pesticide test includes a test vial and two testing strips. A color change will indicate the results within 10 minutes.
In this way, this handy drinking water test kit allows you to test for some of the most common metals and bacteria. Additionally, you can also check the alkalinity and hardness level which are known to affect the taste of your drinking water.
Easy-to-Follow
The tests are very easy to follow and come with a handy guide to help you in case of confusion. These tests are highly sensitive and have been validated by an EPA-certified laboratory. This kit is, thus, excellent at detecting even minute levels of impurities within minutes.
There are many chemicals that do not add any color, taste, or smell to your drinking water but can harm your health. Keep yourself safe by using this affordable and reliable DIY test kit and get the peace of mind that you need.
Reliability
Watersafe is not a new name in water safety. This is a brand that has spent 25-years building a spotless reputation of customer satisfaction. It has done the same with this drinking water test kit and delivered an economical choice with no compromise in quality.
Our Verdict
The Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit offers a simple but wide coverage of contaminants to deliver a high-quality product that fits your budget.
10. Test Assured Drinking-Water Test Kit
Offering an effective testing for 10 different contaminants, the Test Assured Drinking-Water Test Kit provides effortless testing calibrated to meet the EPA standards.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
Some of the main features of this drinking water test kit are explained as follows:
Comes with 10 Different Tests
This drinking water test kit is ready to provide you with the peace of mind you seek by offering comprehensive coverage. You can test for lead, iron, copper, chlorine, bacteria, pesticides, pH, hardness, nitrates and nitrites. No more worrying about the safety of your drinking water, with this quick DIY test, you can test for a wide range of contaminants.
Instant and Accurate Results
Forget tests that make you mail samples and have to wait weeks for the results. This drinking water test kit comes with a testing strip that delivers instant results. You need no prior knowledge to use this kit. It comes with a handy user manual that includes a color guide so that you can easily match and figure out what impurities are present in your drinking water.
Reliability
Despite being on the economical side, this kit sports a highly durable package. Manufactured in the USA, it also follows the EPA guidelines for water quality limits. Not just this, but Test Assured even offers a money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the product. Durability with the manufacturer’s backing provides a high degree of reliability for this water test kit.
Our Verdict
The Test Assured Drinking-Water Test Kit is a superb choice for anybody looking for a quick and easy DIY drinking water test. It covers a wide range of contaminants and also comes with a money-back guarantee.
Comparison Table for Best Drinking Water Test Kit
| SN | Product Name | Weight (ounces) | No. of Contaminants Tested | Type of Testing | Highlight |
| 1 | Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit | 48 | 200 | Confirmation (Lab Certified) | No additional fees |
| 2 | HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester | 1.12 | All TDS contaminants | Digital (DIY) | 3% Readout accuracy |
| 3 | Health Metric Drinking-Water Test Kit For Municipal Tap and Well Water | 3.2 | 9 | Test Strips (DIY) | Excellent for lead and copper detection |
| 4 | HoneForest TDS Meter Accurate and Reliable Water Quality Teste | 1.6 | All TDS contaminants | Digital (DIY) | 3-Year warranty |
| 5 | Health Metric Lead Iron Copper and Mercury- Home Water Test Kit | 0.64 | 4 | Test Strips (DIY) | Affordable and effective individual testing |
| 6 | Health Metric Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water | 3.52 | 8 | Test Strips (DIY) | Super easy and accurate testing |
| 7 | Crystal Water Filters 15 in 1 Drinking Water Test Kit Strips | 0.8 | 15 | Test Strips (DIY) | 100 Testing Strips |
| 8 | JNW Direct Water Total Hardness Test Strips | 1.12 | Only Hardness Level | Test Strips (DIY) | Includes 150 test strips |
| 9 | Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit | 2.4 | 10 | Test Strips (DIY) | Tests backed by EPA-certified Laboratory |
| 10 | Test Assured Drinking-Water Test Kit | 1.6 | 10 | Test Strips (DIY) | 100% Money-back guarantee |
Things to Keep in Mind While Buying a Drinking Water Test Kit
Deciding to purchase a drinking water test kit is an excellent step in ensuring the safety of you and your family. However, with all these available options, it is easy to find yourself confused. After all, each of these tests claims to be your one-stop solution. So, how can you know which test kit is right for your needs? Well, the following list of things to keep in mind before buying a drinking water test kit might be just the thing you need:
Type of Kit
The first thing you should determine is the type of drinking water test kit that you prefer. The most common types are test strips, digital, or laboratory testing.
Test strips are the most affordable and offer instant results. These are small and single-use strips that display a color change when it detects contaminants in your water. The color range also determines the concentration of the impurity. However, you have to ensure this test is properly conducted as any misstep can give out inaccurate results.
Digital tests are more lightweight and offer higher reliability. They are battery-operated and work by dipping the probe-end into sample water. These will give a readout of the amount in ppm of the contaminant present. The downside is that they might require calibration and are slightly more expensive.
If DIY testing is not for you, then there are also kits that allow you to mail your water sample to an EPA-certified laboratory. This allows you to check for a wider range of impurities and also ensure the most reliable results. However, this is usually the most expensive option and only really necessary if you suspect high levels of contamination.
Contaminants
The wide variety of drinking water test kits offer specialized testing for certain contaminants. Some are made to test the presence of heavy metals while some are designed to detect odorless chemicals. Additionally, some are only focused on measuring the hardness present in your drinking water.
So if you know which contaminant you are testing for, you will need to select a kit that targets that impurity. If not, you should aim to get one with a wide coverage so that you can detect what contaminants are present in your drinking water.
Water Source
Typically, the water in most US-based households come through municipalities. As such, these already go through multiple rounds of purification. However, a large population is still dependent on groundwater and private wells. The water source that your drinking water comes from helps determine how often you need to test your water.
For well water, according to EPA guidelines, you should be sure to check the water quality at least once a year. If your drinking water is high-quality tap water then you may not need to invest in high-end testing kits. However, if your supply comes from a public water supply, surface water, or through old pipes, then you may need to check for more contaminants from a reliable source.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should I test my drinking water?
Typically, this depends on your drinking water source. According to the EPA guidelines, you need to check water sourced from private wells at least once a year. Similarly, water obtained from shallow wells or surface water needs to be tested seasonally. If the water in your area is prone to contamination from arsenic, lead, or bacteria, then you should ensure frequent testing to keep yourself safe.
Are drinking water test strips accurate?
The downside of using water test strips is that you need to ensure you follow the instructions exactly as required. In some kits, the color may not be definitive enough and provide confusing results. However, the test strips that follow EPA guidelines, should deliver adequate testing for common contaminants if the instructions have been followed properly.
How can I determine if my water is contaminated?
Testing whether your water is contaminated depends on the level of contamination as well as the test kit you choose. This is because for higher contaminations you should pick a test kit that is associated with an EPA certified laboratory. Otherwise, you can go for easier DIY tests that deliver color test trips or digital results to tell you if your water is contaminated.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! Out of the hundreds of options saturating the market, we have curated the best of the best for you! We hope our article helps you narrow your options and save you some valuable browsing time. Each of these products have been highly raved about and known to deliver high-quality results. All you have to do is pick which of these models or pricing is more convenient for you.
Happy Shopping!
(Last Updated on June 30, 2022 by Sadrish Dabadi)
