What distinguishes the individual water tests from one another

Basic test: a good start

Most test institutes offer a basic test, which usually examines the most important physical and chemical parameters. These include values such as water hardness, minerals and heavy metals. Typically, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, hydrogen carbonate, aluminum, iron, lead, nickel and many more are examined. Such a test is primarily designed to give the broadest possible overview of the water quality. So if you want to get a general assessment of the situation, this test is ideal. Or you want to check a suspicion of a specific contamination. Even if you suspect that heavy metals could be released into the water through the pipes or fittings, a basic test is usually the right choice.

Baby water test: for the health of the little ones

Children are very sensitive to foreign substances in the water. Contaminants that are not a problem for adults can quickly cause discomfort in babies and children. Baby water tests cover certain parameters to which our little ones are particularly sensitive. Ideal if you want to use tap water for baby food. Important test parameters include the total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, manganese, sodium, lead or copper. Bacterial loads are usually not covered by these tests.

Bacteria test: help with unwanted microorganisms

You can’t see bacteria in the water, you can’t taste it or smell it. In return, their effects can be all the more severe. A bacterial test usually includes E. coli and coliform bacteria and examines the germ count at 22 and 37 degrees Celsius. 22 degrees Celsius corresponds to the optimum for many water and soil bacteria, 37 degrees the optimum for many intestinal bacteria. An additional test is usually necessary for the detection of Legionella. Legionella is not dangerous when you drink it, but when you breathe it in. So this becomes problematic when showering, for example. The bacteria can cause severe pneumonia.

Testing home wells: essential for self-catering

Those who supply themselves with water are also responsible for the quality. 10 percent of Austrian households get their tap water from their own well. Many of them have been used for generations. However, some owners do not give much thought to the water quality. Special well tests cover all the important parameters for water quality and examine specifically those foreign substances that frequently occur in well water. The recommendation is to examine house wells once or twice a year. This is especially important when children drink the water.

Tests for (almost) all needs

The tests already presented cover many problem situations, but sometimes completely different parameters are also interesting. Nobody wants drugs, uranium or nitrogen in their drinking water. That is why special tests are offered for this. Often the pipes are to blame for poor water quality. If you suspect an increased lead, nickel or copper concentration, a pipeline test can help. Many test institutes also make it possible to test only one specific value. So if you really only want an analysis for a certain parameter, you can save money.