What’s Really in Your Water: Storage, Pools and Wells
The water you drink, cook with and swim in shapes the health of your household every day. On Curaçao, drinking water is analysed daily by the ADC Water Laboratory on behalf of the government, covering both physical-chemical and microbiological parameters. That gives you a reliable starting point. The questions worth asking are about everything that happens after the water reaches your home.
Start With Your Storage
Many households on the island still have cisterns, tanks or even rooftop reservoirs. Over time, sediment settles, seals wear down and small openings let in dust, insects or organic matter. A tank that looked fine last year may not be holding the same standard today. A practical rule: inspect storage every six months and clean it once a year, or sooner if you notice a change in taste, colour or smell. If something seems off, a microbiological test for total colony count, E. coli, coliforms or enterococci will tell you what is actually going on.
Pool Water Needs a Different Kind of Attention
pH, free chlorine, total alkalinity and microbiological load shift with use, weather and the products you add. Eyes that sting, cloudy water or a strong chemical smell are signs the balance is off, not signs the pool is clean. Regular testing for parameters like Pseudomonas aeruginosa alongside the standard chemical profile tells you exactly what to treat, so you stop guessing.
Well Water Sits in Its Own Category
It is not part of the public supply, so no one is testing it for you. If you use well water for the garden, for animals or for any household purpose, periodic analysis is the only way to know whether it is fit for that use. Depending on the source, that may include checks on hardness, iron, fluoride, sulphate or chloride alongside microbiological screening.
What the ADC Water Laboratory Offers
The ADC Water Laboratory analyses drinking water, dialysis water, pool water, sea water and well water, with additional analyses available depending on the sample you bring in. We supply dedicated bottles for safe sample transport, and our specialists are on hand each weekday to advise on what to test and why.
Get in Touch
If something about your water has changed, or you simply want to know where you stand, get in touch. Together we decide what to test, and you get a clear answer to act on.