Domestic Water Testing

pH is a measure of the intensity of the acidity/alkalinity of water on a scale of 0-14 with 7 being neutral. Low pH results may lead to corrosion of metal pipes and surfaces and a green/blue off colour on ceramic tiles and sinks.

Nitrates/ Nitrites /Ammonia are found in nature from many sources, primarily from fertilisers and effluents. For Nitrates where a child is taking water with levels above 50 mg/l for a prolonged period of time a condition known as Blue baby syndrome may occur where the child is unable to carry enough blood around its body.

Manganese is a metal widely found in rocks and soils. At levels exceeding 150 ug/l manganese stains plumbing fixtures and laundry a dark brown colour and causes undesirable tastes. Its presence in water may lead to microbial growths in the pipe system. Manganese is essentially nontoxic at levels normally found and only causes health problems at levels where there is a very undesirable taste.

Conductivity in water is affected by the presence of inorganic dissolved solids such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate anions (ions that carry a negative charge) or sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and aluminium cations (ions that carry a positive charge).

Hard water is water that has high minerals content (in contrast with “soft water”). Hard water is generally not harmful to one’s health.

Levels below 60 ppm = soft water, 60-120 ppm = moderately hard,121 – 180 = hard water and above = >180ppm.

Problems occur where the water is too hard and deposits on pipes leaving a white lime scale. This can build up over time leading to appliances burning out and pipes being blocked.

Iron is a metal widely found in rocks and soils. Water with iron may look clear at first, however upon exposure to air the iron is oxidized to form orange/red insoluble particles. Iron stains plumbing fixtures and laundry a light red/ brown colour and causes undesirable tastes.

They are usually associated with the salt content and the amount of dissolved minerals in water.

The recommended limit for chlorides is 250 milligrams per litres (mg/1).

• Council Directive 98/83/EC (OJ L330, p32, 5/12/1998) of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption.
• Directive 2000/60/EC (OJ L327, p1, 22/12/2000) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy.
• Commission Recommendation 2001/928/Euratom (OJ L344, p85, 28/12/2001) of 20 December 2001 on the protection of the public against exposure to radon in drinking water supplies.

European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 122 of 2014).

The basic standards governing the quality of drinking water intended for human consumption are set out in EU Directive 98/83/EC. Water for human consumption, whether in its original state or after treatment, regardless of origin is covered by Directive 98/83/EC , it includes water used in the food industry.

This legislation defines “water intended for human consumption” as:

• all water, whether in its original state or after treatment, intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic type purposes, regardless of its origin and whether it is supplied from a distribution network, from a private source or by tanker or similar means;
• all water used in any food production undertaking for the manufacture, processing, preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human consumption, unless the supervisory authority is satisfied that the quality of the water cannot affect the wholesomeness of the foodstuff in its finished form.

other than
• natural mineral waters recognised as such by the responsible authorities, as defined in the European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters and Other Waters in Bottles or Containers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 225 of 2007),
• water supplied in bottles or containers
• waters which are medicinal products within the meaning of Council Directive 2001/83/EC of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use
• an exempted supply.

An exempted supply means a supply of water which –
• constitutes an individual supply of less than 10 cubic meters a day on average or serves fewer than 50 persons, and (ii) is not supplied as part of a commercial or public activity, or
• is used exclusively for purposes in respect of which the relevant supervisory authority is satisfied that the quality of the water has not influence, either directly or indirectly, on the health of the consumers concerned.

S.I. 122 of 2014 prescribes the quality standards to be applied, and related supervision and enforcement procedures in relation to supplies of drinking water, including requirements as to sampling frequency, methods of analysis, the provision of information to consumers and related matters.

The Environmental Protection Agency prepares and publishes annual reports on the results of the monitoring programmes carried out.

In EU food law, where there is a reference to potable water, it is usually defined as water which meets the standards of this Directive.

Where the water quality does not meet the specified standards, remedial measures are outlined in S.I. No.122 of 2014 for public and private water supplies.