hi, i'm not really sure where this thread shoud go, so yeah...sorry if it is in the wrong place. anyway, does anyone know what kind of stuff people test for in drinking water. i know they probably test for minerals; however, other than calcium, i don't really know what specific minerals. thanks.

concentration of nitrates, concentration of phosphates, concentration of hydronium cations, concentration of hydroxide anions...

Anything of significance to health. You can get WHO guidelines on drinking water from here:

 

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/guidelines/en/

chloride ions...

ah, forgot the halide anions in general. heh, tellurates

Radioactive stuff in water isn't nice either. Even though it's mostly cesium and such that goes quickly through the body here, having a homemade well in Finland isn't generally a good idea. :<

thanks, i really appreciate the help and suggestions.