You’ve probably never stopped mid-sip to wonder what’s actually in your glass of water. And that’s normal, isn’t it? Most people don’t really think about what water quality is. Or stop to wonder about the minerals in it, the chemical treatments it’s been through, or the contaminants it may have picked up on the way to your home.

It’s just water. What else is there to know? 

Turns out, a lot. Your neighbor three houses down might be drinking something completely different from what’s coming out of your tap. One of you might be getting a harmful dose of copper from corroded plumbing, while the other may be dealing with PFAs. Same street, same water source, but a totally different story by the time water leaves the faucet. 

This is why it’s important to know, what is water quality?

What is Water Quality?

Water quality is simply a measure of what substances are dissolved or suspended in the water you use in your home. These substances may be helpful minerals, harmless particles, or dangerous contaminants. 

Water quality tells you if the water in your home is safe to drink, cook with, and use.

So, how is the water quality defined? What factors are considered before classifying water as good or poor in quality? Let’s find out:

1. pH Levels:

This measures how acidic or alkaline your water is on a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 to 7 being acidic and 8 to 14 being alkaline. Ideally, the pH of drinking water should be between 6.5 and 8.5.

If water’s too acidic, it can corrode your pipes and leach metals into the water supply. Too alkaline, and it might taste bitter or leave scale deposits on your pipes and taps. 

2. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):

This includes all the solids dissolved in your water, like minerals, metals, salts, and even some organic matter. Some TDS is normal and even beneficial (think electrolytes). 

But high TDS levels can be a problem. The EPA recommends keeping TDS levels below 500 mg/L. Anything higher than that may be a sign that your water is picking up too many contaminants along the way. 

3. Hardness:

Hardness simply measures how much or how little of some useful minerals are present in your water. High levels of calcium and magnesium mean you have hard water. 

While hard water isn’t unsafe, it comes with some downsides. It may leave spots on your dishes and cause scale buildup in your appliances. Soap doesn’t lather well in hard water, either.

4. Turbidity:

Turbidity measures how clear your water is (or isn’t). Cloudy or murky water means there may be particles floating around. Sometimes, it's harmless sediment, but turbidity can also hide bacteria and parasites that latch onto those particles.

5. Contaminants: 

This is the big one, the one that actually affects the safety of drinking water. Here, we’re talking about heavy metals, harmful microorganisms, and unsafe chemicals. These are tap water contaminants that you shouldn’t ignore. 

It may also include chlorine and other byproducts of water disinfection. While they may not be as harmful as other contaminants, long-term exposure to such pollutants can cause health issues.

Why Your Home Water Quality Matters

What’s in your water directly affects your and your family’s health. If the water quality is poor, it can cause damage over the long term. Sadly, while you may notice some problems right away, others may become evident only after years of being exposed to tap water contaminants.

The numbers back up this claim, too. 

CDC estimates reveal that around 1.1 million people in the country get sick each year. The cause? Germs in drinking water. 

Beyond health, low water quality has other consequences, too. It could mean that:

• Your appliances fail early due to sediment and mineral buildup
• Your skin reacts badly to chlorine and other contaminants
• You waste money on bottled water you shouldn't need to

What’s more, poor water quality is quite a common issue. A study published by the American Journal of Managed Care substantiates this: 

Around one-third of Americans have to deal with unregulated pollutants in their water. 

And there’s only one way to know for sure if your water is as safe as it appears clean: home water testing. 

Get your home’s water tested, if: 

• You suspect your water tastes, feels, or looks different
• You know your neighbor has got sick with a stomach bug or some gastro infection 
• You or someone in your household shows any health symptoms that can be traced back to tap water contaminants

If you need to find out what’s in your water, call InHaus Lab today. 

InHaus Lab tests your water comprehensively, gives you a detailed report, and even helps you with the next steps. 

What’s Really in Your Tap Water?

Most of what is in your tap water is usually invisible. Sometimes, it’s odorless and tasteless, too. So, you have to rely on the theory to understand what your water can contain.

Let’s check out the usual suspects. 

1. Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that can build up in your water over time. From your water, they can easily enter your body and accumulate there because the body has no efficient way to flush them out. 

In high concentrations, these water pollutants are toxic and cause great harm. 

2. Microorganisms

Water can also contain several kinds of microorganisms, like bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other pathogens. Many of these biological contaminants can seriously compromise the safety of drinking water and make you sick. 

Water treatment plants use chlorine and other disinfectants to kill most of these organisms. But that’s usually not enough. 

Here’s why:

• Some pathogens are chlorine-resistant
• Others may survive in the biofilms inside the pipes
• Yet others can regrow after treatment

That’s why even treated municipal water can harbor pathogens. 

It’s also why community drinking water has been linked to many outbreaks between 2010 and 2022. Data from the CDC shows that these microorganisms were the top 5 causes of water-related sickness in the US:

• Legionella
• Campylobacter
• Giardia
• Norovirus
• Pseudomonas
  

These aren’t the only pathogens. Other tap water contaminants include E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and Salmonella. They thrive in untreated drinking water, and if you ingest these pathogens, you might suffer from health issues like:

• Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
• Severe stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Dehydration
• Severe cough and pneumonia
• Shortness of breath
• Skin infections and rashes
• Prolonged fatigue
• Legionnaires' disease

The only way to know with certainty if your drinking water is safe is to get it tested. 

Want to know what your drinking water holds? If you live in Aspen or Minneapolis, give InHaus Lab a call, and we’ll carry out comprehensive home water testing for you. 

3. Chemical Contaminants

These are industrial chemicals and treatment byproducts that end up in your water. Most of these are synthetic substances that build up in your body over the years. Eventually, they may cause health problems. 

These are the common chemical contaminants found in tap water:

• Chlorine and Chloramine:

These chemicals are intentionally added to disinfect water and eliminate pathogens. They’re safe at regulated levels, but that doesn’t mean they’re problem-free. 

They can affect the taste and smell of water. In some people, they may also lead to dry hair and irritated skin. 

• Trihalomethanes (THMs):

When chlorine reacts with organic matter present in water, like algae, dead leaves, or other natural debris, THMs are formed. 

THMs can be deadly. 

Long-term exposure to high THM levels can increase your risk for certain types of cancers. It could also lead to reproductive issues. If you suspect THMs in your water, you can take certain measures to filter them out. This Reddit post has some useful advice on this matter. 

However, to get to that point, home water testing must be done. 

Only then can you know if your water is safe or if it contains these harmful chemicals. 

• PFAs:

PFAs are synthetic compounds used in manufacturing a wide range of products — from nonstick cookware to firefighting foam. They’re called ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down naturally. 

Instead, PFAs accumulate in water, soil, and your body - indefinitely.

But why is that a problem? PFA exposure has been linked to serious health concerns, like increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer. It also carries other risks, like:

• Immune system suppression
• Liver damage
• Thyroid disease
• High cholesterol
• Reproductive and developmental issues
• Lower vaccine effectiveness in children

Nitrates:

Nitrates seep into the groundwater from agricultural fertilizer runoff. They’re colorless, odorless, and tasteless. 

And nitrates are dangerous.

High nitrate levels interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, causing ‘blue baby syndrome.’ It can develop rapidly within days, and its symptoms include shortness of breath and bluish skin.

Nitrates also carry other health risks, like:

• Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure
• Thyroid problems
• Methemoglobinemia (reduced oxygen in blood)

Pesticides and Herbicides:

These agricultural chemicals are used to kill weeds, insects, and pests. While they may make your food safer, they could compromise the safety of drinking water, especially if they run-off into the soil and contaminate the groundwater. 

Many of the pesticides and herbicides are endocrine disruptors. 

That means they interfere with hormones and lead to many health concerns. Long-term exposure to pesticides and herbicides has also been linked to serious issues like:

• Cancer
• Reproductive problems
• Birth defects
• Nervous system damage

Need Home Water Testing? Book an Appointment Today

Knowing what is water quality and what are the common tap water contaminants is one thing. But getting a clear picture of your home’s water quality is another. 

• Is your drinking water safe? 
• Does it contain any hidden contaminants? 
• Are they within manageable levels?
• Are they present in unsafe concentrations? 

To find the answers to these questions, book a home water testing appointment with InHaus Lab today. 

Our professionals use science-backed testing methods to test your water for microbes, compounds, and regulated substances, too. So, why wait in matters of your health? 

Call InHaus Lab today, and we’ll give you a quote in just 30 minutes.

What is Water Quality FAQs

1. Is hard water the same as contaminated water?

No. Hard water contains higher levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, but it is safe. Contaminated water, however, contains harmful pollutants and chemicals that can affect your health.

2. How often should I schedule an appointment for home water testing?

If you get your water from a private well, it may be a good idea to test annually. For city water, a test every two to three years may be ideal. That said, if you notice any change in the smell, taste, or appearance of the water, schedule a test right away.

3. Do older homes have different water quality concerns than newer homes?

Some older homes may have lead pipes and outdated plumbing that may leach contaminants into your water. Newer homes, however, may have other concerns like construction-related debris.

4. Can I taste it or smell it if my home water is contaminated?

Not always. Some tap water contaminants like lead and arsenic are odorless and tasteless. Others, like chlorine or iron, may be easier to smell or taste.

5. Are water quality standards the same across all US states in 2026?

No. The EPA sets the minimum standards for drinking water safety. Individual states are free to impose additional regulations over and above the EPA’s basic guidelines. 

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References:

• EPA, “Drinking Water Regulations and Contaminants”
• American Journal of Managed Care 
• EPA, “Drinking Water Regulations”
• CDC, “Drinking Water Facts and Stats”
• Reddit