Americans use tap water for everyday necessities such as bathing, cooking, and drinking. You know that drinking water is an essential part of your overall health and well-being, but is drinking tap water the best idea? Find out ways you can tell if your tap water is safe.

Water is primarily a tasteless and odorless substance. But once contaminated, water becomes smelly, murky, and metallic. If you’re unsure of whether or not your tap water is drinkable, why not take a big whiff? Any off-putting smells should set off alarms in your head. If your water smells like rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide) or bleach (chlorine) it may be time to get a water purifier! Though these two chemicals are harmless, they can cause mild reactions in larger quantities.

Don’t panic if you notice small pieces of sediment floating in your glass of water. Most likely you will see some iron and manganese in your glass from time to time. However, the presence of sediment can signal a red flag. Higher levels of sediments can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches. So make sure you contact your water agency if you experience any of the above symptoms.

Using a water test kit is a great way to make sure that no levels of lead are lurking in your tap water. Remember, no level of lead exposure is safe. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead, a water test kit is a great way to see if lead is hiding in your tap water.

If you’re still feeling concerned about your tap water, consider contacting your local water company. The EPA requires local water companies to send out an annual Consumer Confidence Report which will tell, in detail, the contaminants that are present in your drinking water.

Don’t be afraid of your tap water. If it smells funky, looks off, or tastes like pennies, make sure you take precautions to ensure your tap water is healthy and pure!

Another cause of poor tap water quality can be related to the age of your pipes. If you have old pipes and would like new pipes installed, call your local plumbing experts at D&N Plumbing.