New Test Detects Water Contamination in Minutes

July 21, 2020

Water is an essential part of life, and water quality is crucial. Unfortunately, there are countless environmental factors that could lead to water contamination. If these hazards are ignored, it could jeopardize everyone’s health.

To test one’s water system, the average American homeowner most likely would need to send a sample to a lab and wait weeks for the results, not to mention the high expense to do so. Fortunately, researchers at Northwestern University have designed a handheld test that gives an almost instant result whether the water is compliant with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. Similar to a pregnancy test, the device takes one sample and gives the user a positive or negative reading. There is a total of 17 different toxins or contaminants the test looks for and can easily include more in the future.

What Household Items Contaminate Water?

The environment has changed drastically over the years as well as resources. Due to these reasons, it is important to test drinking water for contaminants. Common household items, like cleaning chemicals, can contaminate well water systems. There are also agricultural and construction areas where chemical wastes, such as pesticides or herbicides, can leak into water sources if not properly contained.

Additionally, earthquakes, landslides, flooding, and other natural disasters can cause dangerous runoffs with numerous different toxins, such as copper or iron, that ultimately end up in water supplies.

Does the Age of a Water System Impact the Quality of Drinking Water?

The common household water system is supplied by a well or by a municipality, whereas both systems are subject to aging. As water leaves either system, it is subjected to environmental contaminants before arriving to the home. The homeowner may not be aware of what is in their water.

What Problems Occur from Water Contamination?

Contaminated drinking water can lead to a myriad of health problems, such as cancer, birth defects, miscarriages, and gastrointestinal problems. The following list contains common water contaminants:

• Lead, copper, or other metals: Since water is a natural solvent, certain metals in old pipes or in outdoor construction areas can dissolve over time in water systems.
• Arsenic: Although commonly found in groundwater, large amounts of arsenic can lead to health issues. Arsenic is mostly tasteless and odorless.
• Bacteria: Bacteria and viruses can be found in drinking water. Sometimes, they are hard to trace and treat.

Water should be frequently tested to ensure that it is drinkable.

Why is Water Testing Important?

There have been several occasions where corporations around the country violated EPA standards for water safety, endangering local communities, which led to environmental toxic torts and out-of-court settlements. Low cost and efficient testing is an important step to ensure safe water quality for everyone and to hold those accountable for contaminating water systems.

Delaware Water Contamination Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Help Those Sickened by Contaminated Water Systems

If you have discovered that toxins in your water might be causing an illness, you need to hold those accountable. Our Delaware water contamination lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. help victims obtain compensation for illnesses caused by contaminated water supplies. Call us at 302-656-5445 or complete our online form for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we proudly serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.