7 Ways to know the quality of the water coming out of your tap

According to different classifications, the cleanest drinking water is found in Nordic countries. According to these indicators, the leaders are Denmark and Finland. On the other hand, data from the World Health Organization indicate that 2 billion people around the planet use contaminated water instead of drinking water, and they are not always in underdeveloped countries.

Here in Brazil, the quality of the water supplied varies a lot, according to the municipality and the concessionaire responsible for supplying it.

O awesome.club decided to investigate why it is worth checking the water quality in our homes and what methods are available to do so.

The water we drink can contain dangerous substances. Water is a universal solvent, so it is not found in its chemically pure form. Along with bacteria and viruses, it can also bring a lot of impurities. All this affects its taste, color, transparency and smell. And even through these simple signals, it is possible to determine if it has changed.

Contaminated water is the cause of approximately 70% to 80% of all known diseases, in addition to accelerating the aging process by about 30%. Therefore, it is important to attest to the quality of what comes out of our faucets. And if you can’t take a sample to a lab for analysis, you can do a basic test at home.

This test makes it possible to identify the existence of foreign impurities. Put water in a clean, transparent bottle, cover it, and then place it in a dark place. If after a few days at least one alarming sign appears in it (layer on the surface, flat around the bottle and residue), it is a sign that the quality of the water leaves a lot to be desired. It probably has a large amount of metallic salts.

This test makes it possible to determine the existence of metals in high concentration in the water. Put water in a pan to boil. Then, leave it on medium heat for 12 to 14 minutes. Then wait another 20 minutes for the water to cool, and pour it into the sink. The existence of calcareous sediments around the pot is not a good sign. If the color of the sediments is grey, it is because the calcium concentration is exaggerated. A color between brown and yellow indicates excess iron.

Ordinary potassium permanganate (which can be purchased online) makes it possible to determine whether the water is potable or not. Dissolve a small amount of the substance in a glass of water, examine the liquid and evaluate the reaction. The water needs to be a bright pink color. If it acquires a yellowish hue, it is because it is of poor quality and should not be ingested. Potassium permanganate changes color when organic matter is destroyed.

Tea can take on different aspects in different types of water, even if it is of good quality. But you need to pay special attention to the transparency of the drink. In a glass of freshly brewed tea, pour 40 to 50 milliliters of water. If the contents of the glass become brighter, it is a sign that the quality of the water is acceptable. But if the tea becomes opaque, avoid drinking the water, as it can contain an excess of salts and other harmful substances, especially organic ones.

Quality water is lighter. With an accurate kitchen scale, it is possible to measure two samples of water. The first sample is a parameter (control), such as a reference point, and can be tap or filtered water. The second is the test. It is better to use the same measuring cup. A good indicator is that the two samples have approximately the same masses, or that the difference is not greater than 1% or 2%.

To determine the presence of impurities, drop a small amount of water drops (1 or 2 milliliters) on a glass surface; for this, a mirror can be used. Wait while the liquid evaporates and then evaluate the result. If there are traces on the surface, it is because the water has foreign residues. After evaporating, good quality water leaves the surface completely clean.

It is a method that allows you to check the hardness of the water. Add a small amount of soap to the water. If the liquid is ‘soft’, the soap will dissolve quickly, creating a lot of suds. If it’s hard water, just the opposite happens. Fatty acids form a solid compound with the calcium and magnesium present in the water, preventing soap from foaming.

In the course of a lifetime, a person consumes approximately 35 tons of water. That is why it is so important to check the quality of the liquid, especially considering that up to 80% of different chemical substances rich in metals fall into water sources, being capable of causing different health problems.

What kind of water do you drink? Have you ever thought about the need to check its quality? Leave your comment on the subject!