Tap Water Test · 2026

Free Water Quality Checker Is your tap water safe?

Quick assessment of pH, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), and turbidity. Find out if your tap water needs filtering. Uses EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

pH 6.5–8.5
EPA Range
<500 mg/L
Ideal TDS
~1 min
Quick Test

Tap water quality check

Enter your test results — get an instant assessment vs EPA standards.

EPA range: 6.5–8.5. Test with cheap pH strips or digital meter.
EPA limit: 500 ppm. Test with TDS meter (~$10).
EPA limit: 1 NTU. Visual: clear water = under 1 NTU.
Below 7 gpg = soft water. 7+ may benefit from softener.
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Enter test results to assess your water.

EPA Standards

What the numbers actually mean.

Reference ranges from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations.

pH (Acidity / Alkalinity)

  • EPA range: 6.5–8.5 (ideal)
  • Below 6.5: acidic — can corrode pipes, leach metals
  • Above 8.5: alkaline — soapy taste, mineral deposits
  • Most tap water: 7.0–7.8 (slightly basic)

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

  • EPA limit: 500 ppm
  • 0–50: too pure (distilled/RO)
  • 50–250: ideal drinking range
  • 250–500: hard water, manageable
  • 500+: needs filtration

Turbidity (Clarity)

  • EPA limit: 1 NTU
  • Below 0.3 NTU: crystal clear
  • 0.3–1 NTU: acceptable
  • Above 1 NTU: visible cloudiness — needs filtration

Hardness

  • 0–3 gpg: soft
  • 3–7 gpg: moderate
  • 7–10 gpg: hard
  • 10–15 gpg: very hard
  • 15+ gpg: extremely hard — softener recommended
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