tap water vs well water?

[maddmatt02]

ok, from reading on here I know that tap water from a city water facility isnt good because of chemicals? but if I am pulling my water from 537 feet from an underground aquapher(sp) in the mountains should my water be fit for usage?

what all should I test for

phosphate, chlorine, alkalinity, ph, ???

 

[phenom5]

what all should I test for

TDS (Total Disolved Solids) using a TDS meter.

RO/DI FTW!

 

[Zoophile]

+ nitrates, copper, silicates, etc.

I also run off a well in a remote area and checked my water especially for nitrates because of the farming. None of my tests showed anything and my water is crystal clear. I can't even drink the water in town because the stink of chlorine is so strong! I bought a Hanna TDS meter ($16 shipped from Ebay) and checked my water...158. Good RO/DI water is 0-10. Guess who's hooking up their RO unit this week?

You might have better luck because you're in the mountains, but do all the tests. Another consideration is heavy metals that you don't normally test for can build up in your rocks and sand over time, leading to big problems later.

 

[drillsar]

RO/DI you must have, You cant drink ro/di water you need some minerals for us to survive.

 

[maddmatt02]

if i use a TDS meter I will only know a number of total dissolved solids, and then I need to check independantly for levels of everything else. and I suspect it will be pretty good because not many people are pout around here, minimum lot size is 10 acres here, and the mountains are right behind me and there isnt really any type of farming, or industrial, or anything like that around here to pollute anything.

 

[phenom5]

if i use a TDS meter I will only know a number of total dissolved solids, and then I need to check independantly for levels of everything else. and I suspect it will be pretty good because not many people are pout around here, minimum lot size is 10 acres here, and the mountains are right behind me and there isnt really any type of farming, or industrial, or anything like that around here to pollute anything.

I would still start with TDS and go from there. The fact that its well water in a lightly populated area, with little to no farming, and industry does not mean you'll get 0 reading for TDS. That's where I'd start, and then I'd go from there.