A good rule of thumb: test your water at least once a year, and ideally every six months. But certain situations call for testing sooner — here's when to pay closer attention.
Reasons to Test Your Water
- Your water comes from a private well — routine well testing should be part of your schedule.
- Your household has had recurring gastrointestinal illness.
- Pregnant women, babies, and young children are in the home — they're especially vulnerable to contaminants.
- You've just moved into a new property.
- You suspect contamination through smell or discoloration — blue or red stains in sinks, tubs, or laundry are red flags.
- Water leaves scaly residue on plumbing and fixtures.
- Appliances or water equipment are underperforming or wearing out fast.
- Health and safety rules require regular testing.
Factors That Warrant Extra Testing
- Hardness — affects appliances and comfort.
- Chlorine — levels can drift over time.
- Pesticides, nitrates, and nitrites — these can swing with the seasons and local farming intensity.
- Lead — test at different times of day, since levels peak when water has been sitting in the pipes.
- Bacteria — a core safety check for any supply.
Staying on a testing schedule with BESTPROD strips means you catch changes early and keep your water safe year-round.