When you live in a home that has municipal water you very seldom have to worry about its safety. If there is ever a problem with the city's water supply they will inform the public and tell you how to stay safe until the issue has been resolved. This may include boiling the water to kill any bacteria or using only bottled water for the time being. However, if you live in an area that does not have a public water supply, you will need to have one on your property in the form of a well and pump. It is your responsibility to make sure that the water from your well is safe for human use. You will need to have your water tested regularly for things like bacteria, minerals, chemicals, or other toxins.

If you find there is a problem with the water you need to stop using it, including for bathing and possible cleaning, and seek out how to resolve the issue. While you may not be able to change what is getting into your water supply, you can remove the pollutants from the water as it reaches your home. Here are a few treatment options to keep your water safe for use.

Disinfection

If there are bacteria, worms, or viruses found in the water, it will need to be disinfected. Disinfection can be done by adding chlorine to the water. The water inspector can advise you on how much chlorine needs to be added to the water for the different uses. You may also pasteurize or boil the water. When done properly the intense heat will kill disease-causing organisms. However, the heat may also cause the concentration of some minerals. You may need to then filter these out of the water, 

Filtration

Filtration is used to remove contaminants that cannot fit through the filter medium. The type of filtration will depend upon the size of the particles. In addition, filtration cannot remove things like bacteria and viruses, therefore it should only be used for potable water.

Reverse Osmosis

This type of water treatment involves pressurizing the water and forcing it through a very fine, semi-permeable mesh. It can be used to remove both inorganic and organic chemicals and most bacteria and viruses. Any organic chemicals it can not remove completely will be extremely reduced by the process, making the water safe and good for drinking.

Good, safe water is one of the most important things in life. Have your water checked regularly and follow the advice of the tester to ensure your family's continued health.