Water is an integral part of our life, the second most important, after oxygen, the compound thanks to which a person exists. Without water, a living organism can live for 3-4 days, after which dehydration occurs. Water has no smell, pronounced taste, color and calories, how then to determine the quality of drinking water? In this article we will tell you how to find out what kind of water we drink – healthy or dangerous to health.
How to determine the quality of drinking water
According to the approved state standards (SanPin, GOST), the quality of the water determines the content of biological and chemical components in it, as well as its organoleptic properties. The chemical indicators of water are the content of the following substances: aluminum, boron, barium, nitrates, lead, mercury, zinc, cyanides, pH (hydrogen indicator), oil products, surfactants, rigidity and many others. Biological indicators of water consist of the presence of various microbes and bacteria.
Water suitable for drinking is divided into 3 main categories: the first, higher, water of centralized water supply. All these water categories are safe and harmless to human health. The water of the central water supply is ordinary tap water, which is at home. The water of the first category (as well as the highest) extracted from underground spring or artesian sources. Such water is protected from any chemical and biological pollution. Moreover, the water of the highest category is enriched with salts and minerals, so after its use there may remain a precipitate.
How to determine the quality of drinking water
“By eye” to determine the properties of water is almost impossible. We can determine the purity of water by its aesthetic properties – if there is no smell and taste, then water can be drunk.
An increased content of calcium salts is easy to determine by scale in the kettle, and an excessive iron content will show the specific taste of water. Other harmful substances (surfactants – surfactants) are very difficult to determine in water.
At home, you can check the quality of water in the following way: pour a certain amount of water into a transparent container (an aquarium is perfect), and let it stand for 1-2 days. You will immediately identify poor quality water, on a white background the water will be cloudy green. After 2 days, sediment will fall on the bottom of the tank, there will be plaque on the walls, oily stains may appear on the surface of the water.
How to determine the quality of drinking water
To find out what kind of water we drink, it needs to be checked for composition. Therefore, only the analysis of water in accordance with GOST will give you confidence that the water is safe for health.
Where can you analyze the water? In the sanitary-epidemiological station or in specialized independent laboratories (they are in scientific institutions). When contacting a particular organization, be sure to make sure that this laboratory is accredited and its research methods correspond to the state station of the Russian Federation.
Water analysis can be performed in 3 ways:
abbreviated (basic);
complete;
specific (depending on certain needs of the customer).
The cost of the study will depend on the choice of the laboratory and the type of analysis.
A full analysis of water is recommended to be carried out by those who have summer cottages and you need to find out which water source is safe for consumption.
Drinking water, which is sold in stores and spills, should be checked for radiation safety and the safety of microbiological and parasitological indicators. If you buy water water in stores, then choose well -known, and most importantly, proven manufacturers. In this case, you can be sure that the water is absolutely safe for the health of your family, and you will be happy to use it in a daily diet.
