The days are long gone when tap water could be safely used only after boiling. Waterworks in Poland ensure that water is completely safe and drinkable. However, their obligation ends at the main valve, which supplies water to the building. The responsibility for it lies with the owner or administrator. Unfortunately, the quality of pipes in buildings varies.
This was supposed to change by introducing, among other things, much higher water quality parameters, an assessment of the risk of bacteria from the water source to the point of delivery, and above all, responsibility for water quality from the intake to the tap in the home, and not just to the main valve. Poland has not yet implemented the directive, although the deadline passed in January 2023. Is there anything you can do yourself to take care of water quality?
Can you drink tap water? Be careful about this, especially after your vacation
Water problems can occur especially during our longer absences. When we are on holiday, we rarely think about what might be happening in the pipes that bring water to the house. When water “stagnates” in the pipes, impurities accumulate and eventually bacteria multiply. How to prevent this? After every long absence, you should flush the pipes by turning on the hot water and waiting a few minutes for it to reach maximum temperature.
– Of course, without forgetting about saving water, because collected in buckets can be used for watering or flushing the toilet – reminded Dr. Hab. Eng. Dobrochna Ginter-Kramarczyk from the Poznań University of Technology, in an interview with Portal Samorządowy. What else should you watch out for? The most common problems that can result in deterioration of water quality and consequently also health problems are improperly operated and designed installations and improperly used filters. If you use carbon filters, remember to replace them regularly.
Water (illustrative photo) Photo: Cezary Aszkiełowicz / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
How to check if tap water is safe to drink? Check if you can test your own water
Theoretically, clean and safe water is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It also has a neutral pH. However, there are mineral salts in water that can affect color, aftertaste, and often also a change in color. An unpleasant odor is caused by impurities. These accumulate especially when we are away, but the problem is not only the excess of compounds, but also the multiplying bacteria.
ADVICE! If you are not sure whether the water flowing from the taps in your house or apartment is safe, you can take it in a sterile container to the Sanitary Inspectorate and ask for tests there. However, this costs from around PLN 150-200 depending on the scope of the tests to around PLN 400 for a full analysis. You can also buy a simple water quality tester, including its hardness. This costs around PLN 30. Such a test will allow you to determine, among other things, the pH of the tap water, the chlorine content and the hardness of the water. However, it will not detect bacteria.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
