All reputable state and local health departments, including the Center for Disease Control, recommend that water testing be performed on your well water at least once a year.

Water quality is always changing. Contaminants in the soil take time to reach your water supply.

Unfortunately, you cannot tell if your water is safe by the way it looks, tastes, or smells. Dangerous levels of contaminants are measured in parts per million, or billion by sophisticated laboratory equipment. These levels cannot be detected by human senses.

In fact the FDA recently reported that in some states, rocket fuel is widespread in milk and lettuce. But that milk and lettuce looks, tastes and smells perfectly safe.

The problem is that water testing can be expensive as there are hundreds of possible contaminants that could be in your water.

The key is to narrow down the list of contaminants to test for based on potential contamination sources in your area, and your specific health situation.

But I drink bottled water, so I’m safe, right?

But I drink filtered water, so I’m safe, right?