Drinking water purity checking
We all agree that drinking water should be pure, uncolored and inodorous. But actually, drinking water purity (I mean quality) is based on regulation.
Water quality is based on physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. Parameters to be considered are defined by the regulations in force.
Microbiological parameters are the most important, as most of them have direct (short time) impact on your health. But you can’t make at home serious microbiological analysis for water quality purpose.
Many physiochemical parameters have impact or your heath, but it is long time impact, as these contaminants are very often in low concentrations (in drinking water).
I don’t recommend you to make serious water quality analysis at home.
Many companies that distribute water treatment equipment come with their water analysis kits. Most of time, they will find something wrong in your water, because they want to sell a water equipment device to you. All companies don’t behave in that way, but serious water analysis should be made in a water analysis laboratory; so, be carefully!
If you really want to know your water quality, contact the water treatment company that provides water to your city or your municipality. If you have any doubt, contact a laboratory of water analysis. There are serious private water analysis companies (Certified ISO 17025) and there are also universities water analysis laboratories that can help you.
Drinking water quality is based on regulation. International organizations (like WHO, European Union), federal organizations (like EPA), countries or provinces have established guidelines or regulations in which drinking water quality standards have been established. These standards concern many water quality parameters maximum concentrations limits (MCL) that are very often based on epidemiological studies. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters are concerned. I can enumerate you many parameters, but it will be better to consult water regulation in your country and you’ll see all relevant parameters. The countries that don’t have their own regulation refer to WHO water quality standards guideline that you can find on following this link:
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/dwq_guidelines/en/