1. Fill up a glass and look at the water very closely.
2. Is it clear?
3. Is there anything floating in it?
4. Smell it.
5. Does the water have an unusual or unpleasant odor?
6. Taste it.
7. Is there an unusual taste?

If you find a problem, or you suspect something is not quite right then you can do one of two things. Firstly, you can choose from the many water testing kits that are available on the market. (See product section)

There are many types of testing kits available. However, you must be careful to pick one by a reputable dealer. You cannot afford to take chances with your health.

Kits test for varied contaminants, including bacteria, pesticides, lead, nitrates, chlorine, nitrites, hardness and the PH balance. Others also tackle a broader range of problems, including hardness or softness of the water, iron, copper, alkalinity, chloride, suphate, coliform, conductivity, calcium, magnesium, potassium, arsenic, zinc, radon, atrazine, triazine, sulfur, sodium, simizine and saturation.

The other option is to contact the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)'s Safe Home Drinking Water Hotline, at 1-800-426-4971, ask for the location of the nearest accredited water testing laboratory. You should also contact your local water supplier for their annual Consumer Confidence Report, which outlines the quality of the water you are drinking.

Once you have a lab to deal with, the lab will mail you instructions about how to take a water sample from you tap. You have to put it into the self-addressed container that they send you, but at a cost of between $30-$40, it is far cheaper than using a home testing kit. Home testing kits cost anywhere from $50-$900.

Within 3 weeks you will get your test results and information about how to interpret it. However, if the information is not enough, you can get a copy of USEPA's 'Recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels list. (See treatments)

Sources: EPA.Gov
Water Industry.Org
H2o Kits.Com
APS Water.Com
Co. Portage.WI.US