Test Your Tap Water
Determine Your Tap Water Quality with Our Water Analyses
Easily and quickly detect potential contaminants in your tap water with our proven test kits. Laboratory analysis for heavy metals and many other risk parameters.
✔ Easy sampling - no prior knowledge required
✔ Clear analysis results
✔ Affordable prices for tap water laboratory analyses
✔ Heavy metals and pollutants
✔ For general drinking water, softeners
✔ Heavy metals and contaminants
✔ Separate bacteria test recommended
✔ Heavy metals and contaminants
✔ Separate bacteria test recommended
✔ Analysis for lead also included
✔ Separate bacteria test recommended
✔ Focus on bacterial contamination
✔ For general drinking water, softeners
✔ Risk of transmission during showering
✔ Causes Legionnaires' disease
✔ Most common contaminants
✔ Bacteria analysis available separately
✔ 12 common pharmaceuticals
✔ e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen
✔ Most common pesticides
✔ Glyphosate separate analysis
✔ Most affordable alternative
✔ More parameters available
✔ E. coli, coliform bacteria
✔ Enterococci
✔ Commonly used pesticide
✔ Possibly carcinogenic
✔ 20 common PFAS chemicals
✔ Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances
Tap Water – What You Need to Know
In 2019, traces of the carcinogenic substance chlorothalonil were found in tap water during inspections in the canton of Zurich. In one of the three samples taken, the pesticide was present in high concentrations. Such exceedances of limit values occur regularly. Should you now be afraid of drinking your tap water?
Can you drink tap water?
The tap water supplied in Switzerland meets very high quality standards and is considered the most monitored food in Switzerland. To be classified as drinking water, the water must meet the strict requirements of the TBDV (Ordinance of the Federal Department of Home Affairs on Drinking Water and Water in Publicly Accessible Baths and Showers). Almost two-thirds of the Swiss population regularly drink tap water, and half of them do so several times a day. The requirements for water quality have increased significantly in recent years. Strict control of tap water allows it to be consumed without concern in most cases.
However, contamination of tap water does occur from time to time. This is primarily because the water supplier is only responsible for the quality of the drinking water up to the water meter. Contaminants can also enter tap water through domestic pipes. Therefore, it can be useful to regularly test your tap water.
Where does tap water come from?
In Switzerland, drinking water comes from:
➥ 40% spring water
➥ 40% groundwater
➥ 20% surface water
Due to Switzerland's geological characteristics, about 60% of the water extracted is of impeccable quality and does not even need to be treated! However, water from lakes used for consumption undergoes a multi-stage and costly treatment process. After thorough inspections, the obtained drinking water is distributed to consumers via an extensive distribution network.
Why is it useful to test your tap water?
According to Swiss law, the water supplier is only responsible for the impeccable quality of the water up to the meter. However, contaminants can still enter the tap water afterward.
Why should you regularly test your tap water?
Contaminants in water often originate from the following sources:
➔ Faucets (e.g., taps with hoses), aerators (perlators)
➔ Water filters
➔ Water heaters (drinking water heaters, drinking water tanks)
➔ Coarse particle filters (lack of maintenance)
➔ Technical systems
➔ Wells for self-sufficiency
Regular checks also help to ensure excellent water quality at your home.
Why a tap water test might be useful for you:
➥ You regularly drink your tap water.
➥Your water shows anomalies in color, smell, and taste.
➥Your household includes babies, children, pregnant women, or sick individuals (they are particularly vulnerable to water contaminants).
➥You use tap water to prepare baby food.
➥You live in a house that may be over 100 years old. There might still be lead pipes in the domestic installation.
➥You use your tap water with a soda maker.
Regular checks ensure excellent water quality even at your home.
How can I have my tap water tested?
Self-control tests can easily be ordered from our shop. You can easily and flexibly carry out the sampling yourself. Your water will then be analyzed in a professional laboratory.
To test your tap water, you will receive a test kit containing everything you need for sampling:
➥Suitable sample containers
➥Sample registration form with instructions
➥Practical return box with return label
You can collect your water sample according to the instructions, when and where you want. This allows you to test your tap water independently. After collecting the water sample, it will be sent to the laboratory using the return box. Once received, your data will be digitized and processed using specialized software. The laboratory analysis of your water sample will be carried out by experienced and qualified laboratory staff.
You will then receive your analysis results within a short time.
How much does a tap water test cost?
A tap water test makes it easy to determine the quality of your water as well as the condition of your pipes and fittings. A particularly quick way to check some parameters is to use test strips, which usually provide immediate results. These tests are typically available for only a few francs. Quick tests offer good orientation but may not provide very precise measurements of the parameters tested.
If you want to check the condition of your tap or well water in more detail, a laboratory analysis is recommended.
Naturally, the question of the cost of this analysis arises!
Depending on the scope of the required analysis, the price for a professional laboratory analysis ranges from 50 CHF to over 200 CHF. With such laboratory analyses, you will receive a report for self-control.
If a laboratory analysis is required as an official document for authorities, sampling must be carried out by trained personnel. In this case, additional costs for travel and sampling will apply.
Furthermore, the cost of a drinking water analysis varies depending on the parameters to be tested. The more parameters that need to be examined, the more expensive the analysis will be. Therefore, combined analyses are particularly recommended.