Whether it’s for morning coffee, weeknight dinners, children’s baths, or any other daily use, homeowners rely on tap water day after day. However, water quality isn’t always immediately apparent. Even clear, great-tasting water can contain minerals, metals, or other contaminants that are easy to miss until they begin to affect your home, your health, or your peace of mind.*
When it comes to water, what’s invisible is just as important as what’s visible. Many contaminants, including most of those that can harm your health, are odorless, tasteless, and smellless, with no obvious warning signs. Therefore, the only reliable way to know its composition is through water testing.
To help homeowners feel informed and confident, we spoke with Maria Mozdzen, senior director of Culligan Analytical Laboratory, about what home water testing can reveal, when it makes sense to take a closer look, and why understanding your water quality is a simple step that can make a real difference to your home and family.
Are there any visible signs that should prompt a homeowner to have their water tested?
The most obvious signs are often those that can be observed directly in your glass or at home. According to Mozdzen, visual changes are often the most obvious, including discoloration or sediment buildup at the bottom of a glass, as well as aesthetic changes such as taste and smell .
Other common signs can appear daily, such as rust stains in sinks or bathtubs and whitish deposits around faucets . You might also notice problems like dry, tight skin after showering, dishes that remain stained after washing, and clothes that feel rough or have faded colors. These problems don’t necessarily mean your water is unsafe to drink, but they can indicate changes in its quality that may require treatment.
Is it important to have your water tested even if you don’t see any obvious signs of a problem?
“Yes,” confirms Mozdezen. “Many contaminants are odorless and tasteless; so you don’t really know what’s in your water without testing it.” Relying solely on sensory cues can create a false sense of security, she adds.
What does a Culligan home water test check?
The in-home water analysis offered by Culligan typically checks a range of key indicators to determine general water characteristics and common household problems, including hardness, pH, chlorine, total dissolved solids (TDS), hydrogen sulfide, and iron. These results can help explain common issues such as mineral buildup, stains on faucets, or unpleasant tastes and odors.
What can I expect during my water test?
During your water analysis and consultation, your Culligan specialist will typically begin by asking you a few questions about your observations: deposits on your faucets, dry skin, unusual stains, altered appearance or taste of the water, or any other concerns. They will then perform a series of tests to establish an accurate assessment of your water quality.
The analysis portion of your consultation typically lasts 30 minutes or less. According to Mr. Mozdzen, this time usually includes both the analysis itself and an explanation of the results. Your Culligan specialist will review the results to help you understand the connection between your water composition and any issues you may be experiencing in your home. If a result is particularly concerning, if you are experiencing persistent odor problems, or if you would like further analysis for health reasons (such as the presence of lead, arsenic, bacteria, PFAS, etc.), additional testing by the EPA-certified Culligan laboratory in Illinois may be recommended.
How often should homeowners have their water tested?
The frequency of testing depends on the water source. For private wells, testing should be regular, as it is the owner’s responsibility, not the city’s, to monitor water quality.
For municipal water, testing is generally carried out in response to specific events or problems. Routine testing is not usually mandatory, as municipalities handle this themselves. However, individuals often choose to have their water tested (see reasons below).
If the city water is already being tested, why would a homeowner consider having it tested at their own home?
Municipal drinking water systems are treated and monitored to meet federal safety standards. However, these tests and treatments focus on compliance with health standards, not necessarily on aspects that affect taste, comfort, or your home. Mozdzen explains that factors like chlorine levels, pH balance, and water hardness may not be harmful in themselves, but can still cause problems.
Testing your water at home also provides a more accurate picture of its quality, as some problems (such as the presence of lead or copper from old pipes) can appear after it leaves the wastewater treatment plant. Furthermore, some relatively recent concerns, such as microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS (often called “perennial pollutants”), are still being studied and are therefore not yet regulated; regulations may be under development, but their implementation could take years.
As Mozdzen says: “Don’t assume anything. Test when you can.”
How can a homeowner know whether they need a home test or a laboratory test?
A professional home water test is the first and most important step. It allows homeowners to quickly get a clear picture of their water’s characteristics and the common problems it can cause. For most people, it’s the ideal starting point.
Laboratory testing is recommended when more in-depth analysis is required. This may be the case for well water, if a home test reveals abnormally high results, or if there are more general problems not covered by standard tests, such as the presence of heavy metals, bacteria, and other health issues.
Furthermore, laboratory instruments can generally detect contaminants at concentrations far lower than those found in most home tests. For example, Mozdzen explains that laboratory equipment can detect lead at extremely low concentrations, whereas many commercially available test kits only detect it at much higher concentrations.
For many homeowners, it all comes down to comfort, especially when they realize that even technically acceptable amounts of contaminants can be present in their water. As one homeowner put it, “If I told you your water had 14 parts per billion of lead (which is technically acceptable), I wouldn’t drink it, and I certainly wouldn’t give it to my children.”
If a homeowner chooses a water testing laboratory, what qualifications should they look for?
Look for certification or accreditation from a third-party organization. “If the lab is certified, you have the assurance that it uses the appropriate analytical methods,” explains Mozdzen. In Canada, this means adhering to recognized federal or provincial standards. Certification helps ensure the accuracy, reliability, and consistency of results, regardless of where you live.
What should every homeowner know about their water?
Most homeowners only think about their water when a problem arises, but Mozdzen believes the real value lies in understanding its composition before it becomes an issue. “I wish they would all have their water tested and know exactly what’s in it,” she says.
The good news is that testing your system is a simple step that allows you to gain clarity, build confidence, and choose the most suitable solution. As Mozdzen says, “Testing, researching, and protecting your home with the right system is the best solution.”
Don’t guess, test it.
Ready to take the next step? It’s simple: schedule your free in-home water analysis today to discover what your water is really telling you.
*It is possible that your water does not contain contaminants.
