{"id":706,"date":"2024-11-11T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/?p=706"},"modified":"2026-06-29T23:35:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T06:35:22","slug":"the-definitive-guide-to-water-testing-what-it-can-show-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/water-line-service\/the-definitive-guide-to-water-testing-what-it-can-show-you\/","title":{"rendered":"The Definitive Guide to Water Testing: What It Can Show You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/water.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/water-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Kitchen faucet rinsing a red apple, highlighting water testing service and water analysis.\n\" class=\"wp-image-707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/water-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/water-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/water-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/water-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/water.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Water testing sounds like a great idea, doesn\u2019t it? If it were free, it would be something that everyone would probably do, like exercise or brushing your teeth. Testing allows customers to find out exactly what\u2019s in their water, from contaminants to harmless minerals, and it lets us plan accordingly. Unfortunately, this service is more extensive than most small tests and it\u2019s not free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But it\u2019s not as expensive as the problems that can result from having untested, unhealthy water.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our team prides itself on being a font of knowledge and authority when it comes to water quality and <a href=\"\/water-treatment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"water treatment solutions in Olympia.\">water treatment solutions in Olympia.<\/a> If you\u2019re interested in learning about the quality of your water, or finding out more about potential contaminants in your water, then make sure you request a water test today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2>What Can a Water Testing Service Show You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A water testing service gives you a clear analysis of what may be in your water, including contaminants you cannot see, taste, or smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Biological contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold<\/li><li>Minerals that may affect water quality, health, or plumbing performance<\/li><li>VOCs and chemicals from materials like paint, plastics, and building products<\/li><li>Contaminants that may require filtration, softening, or UV purification<\/li><li>Personalized results that help determine the right water treatment solution<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>With a professional water analysis, you can better understand your water quality and choose the right system to help keep your water clean, safe, and reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Common Water Contaminants Testing Can Identify<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Until you get your water tested, it\u2019s impossible to figure out how contaminated your water might be. Even if you were to fill up a glass with water from your tap and look at it in the sunlight, you\u2019ll still be unable to see anything that could potentially be lurking there. Most contaminants are invisible to the naked eye, and they\u2019re even impossible to detect with rudimentary methods like taste and smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where our tests come in handy. They can tell if your water is potentially contaminated with the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/What-Water-Testing-Can-Show-You.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/What-Water-Testing-Can-Show-You-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A light blue supplemental graphic of a hand holding up a glass of water. The graphic reads, &quot;What water testing can show you.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/What-Water-Testing-Can-Show-You-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/What-Water-Testing-Can-Show-You-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/What-Water-Testing-Can-Show-You-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/What-Water-Testing-Can-Show-You-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/What-Water-Testing-Can-Show-You.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>Viruses, Bacteria, and Mold<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Viruses, bacteria, and mold\u2013also considered \u201cbiological contaminants,\u201d are one of the biggest reasons to get your water tested. These can easily be treated with a UV purifier or some kind of water filtration system, but they can wreak havoc when they\u2019re not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about a trickling brook outside, the water might be clear and fresh (and might even taste good), but it\u2019s probably riddled with bacteria and viruses that are just waiting to infect you and make you sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our tests can identify these contaminants and help you eliminate them so your water is fresh and clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Minerals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Minerals are a tricky subject. Sometimes they can be harmful for you in high doses, and they\u2019re worth removing from your water. Other times they can be absolutely harmless to your body, but cause serious problems for your plumbing system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our tests are designed to identify minerals in your water so you can invest in a water softener or some other kind of system specifically designed to root out these contaminants. Clear, soft water is the best for regular use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>VOCs and Chemicals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>VOCs, known sometimes as <em>volatile organic compounds, <\/em>are specific contaminants that come from materials like paint that are bad to ingest but found pretty commonly in the environment. They can even come from building materials and plastics, which is why there\u2019s a large effort for homeowners to identify them and remove them with filtration systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve only scratched the surface of what could be hiding in your water supply. The good news is a simple test can give you personalized results that keep you in the know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: What can water testing show about my home\u2019s water?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Water testing can show what is actually in your water, including contaminants, minerals, and other substances that may not be visible. American Pump and Drilling explains that testing helps identify potential problems so the right water treatment solution can be planned for your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: Can contaminated water look and taste normal?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Yes, contaminated water can still look clear and taste normal. Many contaminants are invisible to the naked eye and cannot be reliably detected by taste or smell alone. Testing is the best way to understand whether your water contains biological contaminants, minerals, chemicals, or other concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: What biological contaminants can water testing detect?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Water testing can help identify biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. These contaminants may be present even when water appears clean. Once they are found, treatment options such as UV purification or filtration may help address the issue and improve water safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: Why should I test for minerals in my water?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Minerals in water can affect both health and plumbing, depending on the type and amount present. Some minerals may be harmless to drink but hard on pipes, fixtures, or appliances. Testing helps determine whether a water softener or another treatment system is the right solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: Can water testing detect VOCs and chemicals?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Yes, water testing can help identify VOCs, also called volatile organic compounds, and other chemicals that may come from materials like paint, building products, plastics, or the surrounding environment. If these contaminants are found, a filtration system may be recommended to help remove them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"\/contact\/send-a-message\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"Schedule a water test with American Pump and Drilling!\">Schedule a water test with American Pump and Drilling!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re interested in learning about the quality of your water, or finding out more about potential contaminants in your water, then make sure you request a water test today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[85],"tags":[89,92],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/706"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=706"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/706\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1068,"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/706\/revisions\/1068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olypump.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}