Failed Water Tests

What is a Failed Water Test?

A water test analyzes contaminants and water quality indicatorsopen_in_new (WQIs) found in the water supply. A failed water test may indicate that there is too much of a particular microorganism that could be harmful in the water and that renders it unsafe to drink or use.

Whether your water comes from a private well or a public source, having your water tested is the first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from ill effects caused by potentially bad water. Once you know what you’re dealing with from the results of your water analysis, you can adequately treat your water. UV water disinfection can neutralize many harmful microorganisms and provide peace of mind.

Other potential sources come from past or present human activity — things that we do, make, and use — such as mining, farming and using chemicals. Some of these activities may result in the pollution of the water we drink.

— EPA, “Drinking Water From Household Wells”open_in_new

How Do You Know When to Take a Water Test?

Groundwater is always moving. As a result, there is the endless opportunity for your water source to become contaminated. More than 15 million U.S. households use private water wellsopen_in_new, and the well’s owner is responsible for overseeing the safety and quality of the water. Experts recommend testing the well’s water annually by a certified laboratory. More frequent testing may be necessary if there is cause for concern.

Location Factors

If your well is shallow, aging, located near livestock, septic systems, landfills, or manufacturing plants, there is more opportunity for contamination.

Most of the country’s pipes and water systems were designed and installed over 100 years ago. Large municipalities and cities nationwide have staff that monitors water quality around the clock. Many smaller communities aren’t able to keep up with monitoring their water quality and maintaining their aging infrastructure as required by the Safe Water Drinking Actopen_in_new (SDWA).

People Factors

Pregnant women, babies, infants, elderly, or immune-compromised people are more susceptible to the ill effects of contaminated water. If these individuals reside in or visit your home frequently more regular testing is suggested. Even if your water comes from a municipal water supply, there are still plenty of reasons to have your water tested.

If your water source is public, you should receive an annual Consumer Confidence Report from your utility containing important information regarding the water’s quality. Unfortunately, according to a May 2017 report by the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) titled “Threats on Tap: Widespread Violations Highlight Need for Investment in Water Infrastructure and Protections,

Our research shows that in 2015 alone, nearly 77 million people were served by more than 18,000 community water systems that violated at least one SDWA rule, and there were more than 80,000 violations of SDWA rules that year

— NRDC, “Threats On Tap”open_in_new

Regardless of your water source, regular testing is an easy and valuable way to educate yourself about the quality of your water and take control by installing a water filtration and disinfection system on your water supply.

Water from Private Wells

If the following factors are present, you should also get your water tested.

• Flooding, storm surge, or tornado activity
• Increase in construction or agriculture activity
• Increase in mining activity or a recommission of an old mine (if your well is within a quarry’s pumping zone of influence including strip mining, open-pit mining, and mountaintop removal mining, or underground mining such as for coal)
• Known issues with neighboring septic systems or cesspools
• Repair to pipes, pumps, and/or the well casing
• Recently decommissioned well in your area
• If your well is newly drilled or bored larger

1. Finding Your Flow Rate

The first step in selecting the appropriate Atlantic Ultraviolet water disinfection system is to find your flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM). Our water purifiers are made or assembled in the USA with peak flow in mind. We typically recommend as follows: 1 bathroom = 6 GPM, 2–4 bathrooms = 12 GPM, 5 bathrooms = 20 GPM

2. Selecting the Purifier that Fits Your GPM

Next, select a water purifier that fits your GPM and water disinfection needs. We offer a variety of different trademark lines with several models in each line. Our engineers developed the SANITRON®, MINIPURE®, MIGHTY★PURE®, and Bio-Logic® Ultraviolet Water Purifiers to provide continuous, chemical-free water purification, and more importantly, peace of mind. There is no risk of overdosing, no chemical storage, and no chemical expenses. Low maintenance means these systems require occasional quartz sleeve cleaning and lamp replacement every 10,000 hours or approximately once a year.

3. Consider Point-of-Entry vs. a Point-of-Use

You will want to consider a point-of-entry (POE) versus a point-of-use (POU) system. POE will install before or at the water source’s entry to your home. It will provide continuous disinfection to all water plumbed downstream of the unit through your house. A POU system installs directly at the site of use—for example, under a kitchen or bathroom sink, and provides treatment only to the water coming from that treated location.

There are many optional accessories available that can either be purchased at the time of installation or installed at a later date. These accessories can help with the overall operation of your water purification system. Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation recommends the use of our GUARDIAN™ Ultraviolet Monitor open_in_new to visually indicate the level of germicidal ultraviolet purifying your water. Accessories such as the STERALERT™open_in_new, or SENTRY™open_in_new models will alert you of proper operation of your system.

5. Installing a System that Fits Your Needs

Install a system that fits your water purification needs. Our Promate™open_in_new Wall-Mounting Kit will enable you to install your purifier in the correct position. SureFLO™open_in_new Flow Control Valves are optional accessories that restrict the flow of your water to the rated flow of the water purifier, offering peace of mind to ensure that the right amount of water is treated. Your Atlantic Ultraviolet UV-C water purifier will provide continuous disinfection, virtually eliminating all bacteria, virus, and fungi from the water. However, with a variety of contaminants possible in your water, your disinfection procedures could require a series of treatments to improve groundwater quality. This layered process may include particulate filtration to remove debris and turbidity, ion exchange to soften water and treat arsenic and nitrates, reverse osmosis to remove a variety of contaminants, and chemical treatment to fix hardness, PH balance, and sulfide issues. Locate your UV-C water purifier after all of the other disinfection devices to reduce the possibility of the purified water being re-contaminated by bacteria in any of these units.