A study has found that the water quality of a home can differ in each room and change between seasons, challenging the assumption that the water in a public water system is the same as the water that passes through a building’s plumbing at any time of the year.
“This study reveals that drinking water in the service line water is clearly not the same quality at your faucet,” said Andrew Whelton, a Purdue University associate professor of civil engineering and environmental and ecological engineering. Researchers from Purdue, the University of Memphis and Michigan State University conducted the study, published in the journal Building and Environment.
The study is so far the largest and most intensive investigation of water quality over time and throughout a single house. The researchers collected data 58 times at the house over the course of a year, logging more than 222,000 hours and 2.4 billion records.
While more studies at this scale are needed before generalizing findings to other American homes, the results are concerning: 10% of the time, disinfectant was not found in the water entering the house studied, meaning that the water was not properly protected from bacteria growth once it entered the home.
There were also increases in water pH inside the house and large fluctuations in organic carbon. Either can indicate drastic changes in drinking water chemistry.
“After water enters a home it continues to age. Older water is more likely to have contaminants that are problematic. Because the quality of water delivered to a single home can vary significantly, and building plumbing can change the water too, predicting drinking water safety at every building faucet is currently not possible,” Whelton said.
The researchers note that different plumbing materials, a varying number of house occupants and other factors could affect the water quality of a home. These factors warrant future study.
More studies like this one could inform the development of new technology for preventing people from encountering unsafe water in their home.
In the meantime, there are several precautions consumers could take to improve their home’s water quality.
“Choose plumbing designs that minimize the amount of water and time that water sits still. This should help limit microbial growth and lessen the chance that chemicals leaching from the plumbing exceed unacceptable levels. If you have an existing home, flush the faucet before taking a drink to get rid of the old water. Flushing can help bring in new, fresher water from the building entry point,” Whelton said.
811717 653354When do you think this Real Estate market will go back in a positive direction? Or is it still too early to tell? We are seeing a lot of housing foreclosures in Altamonte Springs Florida. What about you? Would enjoy to get your feedback on this. 431846
537076 627220Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I wish to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make an superb article but what can I say I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances appear to get something done. 314878
19675 845117Hey. Neat post. There is really a dilemma with your internet site in firefox, and you could want to check this The browser will be the market chief and a large component of other folks will omit your outstanding writing because of this issue. 597827
546968 338381Music began playing any time I opened this web site, so frustrating! 672026
507796 521360Rattling superb info can be discovered on web weblog . 676059
201702 616436Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned a lot more from this post. Im extremely glad to see such great information being shared freely out there. 566923
456083 952222This web-site is really a walk-through rather than the info you desired concerning this and didnt know who to inquire about. Glimpse here, and you will completely discover it. 744487
883753 107706Soon after I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get four emails with exactly the same comment. Is there any method youll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks! 949119
44901 145683Cheers for this exceptional. I was wondering whether you were preparing of publishing comparable posts to this. .Maintain up the excellent articles! 38430
199871 594731I adore your wordpress internet template, wherever would you download it from? 6873
596094 795706For some cause the picture just isnt loading appropriately, is at this time there an concern? 106635
545061 417088Some really valuable data in there. Why not hold some sort of contest for your readers? 476317
420418 627274you could have an perfect blog proper here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my weblog? 320310
346229 603224Id need to verify with you here. Which isnt something I often do! I take pleasure in reading a post that could make folks think. In addition, thanks for permitting me to comment! 7565
203888 863574This internet internet site is my aspiration, very excellent style and design and Perfect topic matter. 930545
984608 600264Your writing is fine and gives food for thought. I hope that Ill have more time to read your articles . Regards. I wish you which you frequently publish new texts and invite you to greet me 51500
98359 285289i was just browsing along and came upon your site. just wantd to say excellent job and this post really helped me. 844677
2479 944771extremely nice put up, i really adore this web website, maintain on it 882101
283457 457759really nice post, i undoubtedly adore this amazing site, carry on it 441427
95325 302155Yeah bookmaking this wasnt a high risk determination outstanding post! . 460345
211150 230955I conceive this internet site contains some rattling superb details for everybody : D. 206966
631151 15192Hey. Neat post. There can be a difficulty with your website in firefox, and you could want to check this The browser may be the market chief and a large component of other folks will omit your excellent writing because of this difficulty. 57770
420393 298719Hey there! Fantastic post! Please when I will see a follow up! 129379
finest post, i like it
399838 289559Vi ringrazio, ho trovato che quanto scritto non sia completamente corretto 574631
992295 336496Perfectly composed content , thankyou for entropy. 959366
282144 181006This web internet site is my breathing in, quite wonderful layout and perfect content material . 552501