|
Millions of American
households suffer some kind of correctable water problem.
Hard water alone is found in 85% of all American homes,
according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Other common water
problems include excess iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide
gas (“rotten egg” smell), acidity, various levels and types
of bacteria, and cloudy water.
Each of these problems
can bring its own unpleasant effects into your home. Rusting
and corroded pipes, clothing stains, bad tasting water,
health issues, and higher water heating bills are just a few
of the possible results of problem water, which can take
money out of your pocket and affect the quality of your
life.
This table lists many of
the contaminants found in water, along with the solutions
available to remove these problems.
|
Water contamination |
Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) |
Indication of
contamination |
Solution |
|
Iron |
0.3 mg/L |
Red-brown stains;
taste and odor |
Water softener or
filtration |
|
Manganese |
0.05 mg/L |
Black stains; taste
and odor; usually accompanied by iron |
Water softener or
filtration |
|
Hardness |
Economically
softened at or above 5 gr/gal |
Calcium & magnesium
scale/deposits on dishes & fixtures; soap usage
increased |
Water softener |
|
pH |
6.5 – 8.5 (below 7
is acidic) |
Acid water is
corrosive to pipes; blue/green stains; metallic
taste; possible hazard from lead solder or pipes |
Acid neutralizer |
|
Total dissolved
solids |
500 mg/L |
General dissolved
mineral content; can indicate presence of salts or
minerals not otherwise tested |
Various |
|
Copper |
1.3 mg/L |
Blue-green stains,
medical problems |
Neutralizing acidic
water, reverse osmosis |
|
Arsenic |
0.010
mg/L |
Medical problems |
Arsenic removal
systems/reverse osmosis |
|
Nitrates |
10 mg/L |
Medical problems |
Water softening,
reverse osmosis |
|
E. coli |
5.0% |
Medical problems |
Ultra Violet (UV),
Ozonation, Chlorine and sub-micron filtration |
|
Coliforms |
5.0% |
Medical problems |
Ultra Violet (UV),
Ozonation, Chlorine and sub-micron filtration |
| For more information on water
quality, visit this website:
U.S.Environmental Protection
Agency -
EPA |
|
