Water is something we often take for granted. That is, until something happens that shows us how potentially fragile our clean, safe drinking water and its infrastructure might be.

News from across North America have brought the threat of poor drinking water to the forefront, leaving many people curious about their own water. Research from Culligan International shows that 75 percent of survey respondents said they were worried about the water they drink, while 73 percent had never had their water tested.

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“For years we’ve taken the safety of our water for granted,” said manager of industry and regulatory affairs for Culligan, Rick Cook. “But our aging infrastructure has heightened the risks of harmful impurities such as lead and iron contaminating our water supply.”

Preserving safe drinking water is not something that can be left to chance. To ensure the water running in your home is safe to drink, Cook offers these tips to consider.

Know where water contamination can occur.

Water impurities are not just limited to the water source. It can also occur in the distribution system. While many naturally occurring chemicals and impurities can be filtered at the source, it’s still possible for unsafe amounts of lead to enter your water. These issues are more common in older homes — those built before 1986 — which commonly feature lead pipes and fixtures.

Educate yourself on the filtration system you have at home.

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Water treatment solutions, including water softeners, reverse osmosis systems and specialty filters, can eliminate specific impurities in your water. However, charcoal pitchers and refrigerator cartridges cannot.

Pay attention to the warning signs.

Corroded plumbing fixtures, unpleasant odors, disagreeable taste, discolored water and even shortened appliance lifespan are all signs that something is wrong with your water. If you notice any or all of these occurring in your home, it’s time to get your water tested.

Schedule a test to identify impurities.

Because water contamination can happen unexpectedly, it’s important to have your water tested by an expert to determine if and what harmful impurities are present and how to eliminate them. Culligan recommends scheduling a water test after you move into a new house, if you have burning out appliances, or if you notice a change in the taste, odor or appearance of your water.

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This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.