Common Water Quality Problems
Water quality problems encountered in New England: You can also find information at the Water Quality Association website https://www.wqa.org/Water-Issues.
SYMPTOMS
Orange/Brown stains in sinks, tub, dishwasher, laundry. Metallic taste.
Description of Water Quality Issue
A naturally occurring mineral. Shows up in two forms; Dissolved in solution (ferrous form – can’t see) or precipitated (ferric) particulate iron which you can see in the water.
.Typical Solutions
Water softener/Ion Exchange, Oxidation & Filtration
SYMPTOMS
Brownish–black staining in dishwasher & other plumbing fixtures.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Also a naturally occurring mineral. Will react with chlorine bleach to intensify staining. Can be health threat above certain levels, particularly for children.
Typical Solutions
Water Softener/Ion Exchange, Oxidation, Filtration.
Damaging hard water scale build-up
SYMPTOMS
White Scale on pipes & fixtures. Difficult to make soapsuds. Hot water heaters and other H2O using appliances fail before their expected useful life.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Dissolved calcium & magnesium. Water hardness causes scale build-up inside pipes, restricting water flow while putting stress on water using equipment which must work harder. Can significantly reduce the useful life of water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, etc. requiring early, costly replacement.
Typical Solutions
Water Softener / Ion Exchange
SYMPTOMS
Green/Blue staining in sinks & other fixtures from low pH dissolving copper pipe. Shortened life for plumbing, hot water heaters, other water-using appliances. Can also create pin-hole leaks in piping, a costly repair.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Low pH usually caused by excessive carbonic acid. pH is a measure of the acid or alkaline content of water. 7.0 is considered neutral. Can cause increased leaching of lead and other metals that may be in the distribution system. Can cause pinhole leaks in copper piping, requiring costly replacement.
Typical Solutions
Acid Neutralization, Corrosion Inhibitor, Aeration
SYMPTOMS
Rotten Egg smell. Silver tarnishes easily. Can be corrosive to pipes at higher levels.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas, can also be caused by iron or sulfide reducing bacteria. If you’ve ever been in a house with this issue, you will likely not forget it.
Typical Solutions
Acid Neutralization, Corrosion Inhibitor, Aeration
SYMPTOMS
Fishy, musty, or oily smell & taste.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Volatile organic substances, usually, but not always harmless. Sometimes caused by algae build-up in warmer months in water supplies
Typical Solutions
Reverse osmosis (RO), Activated Carbon, Ozonation
SYMPTOMS
Cloudy water. Faucet screens may clog frequently.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Suspended solids may hamper disinfection efforts and require more frequent faucet screen cleaning to resume normal water flow.
Typical Solutions
Sediment Filtration, Coagulation, Reverse Osmosis, Activated Carbon.
SYMPTOMS
Impossible to detect without appropriate laboratory water test.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Typically originates in deep wells that tap radon contaminated groundwater. Releases into the air when water is turned on in showers, faucets, etc. Can be a serious health threat.
Typical Solutions
Aeration. Carbon may be used at low levels but is not considered a good long-term solution and may create a potential health hazard.
SYMPTOMS
Impossible to detect without appropriate laboratory water test.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Occurs naturally through rock decomposition or from industrial uses. Mostly found as As III or as AsV. Can be a serious health threat.
Typical Solutions
Occurs naturally through rock decomposition or from industrial uses. Mostly found as As III or as AsV. Can be a serious health threat.
SYMPTOMS
Salty taste, heavy corrosion, salty build-up.
Description of Water Quality Issue
Usually shows up in wells dug near marshy or coastal areas. Highly corrosive, not drinkable, not really usable water. Can be purified into a high quality water supply.
Typical Solutions
Whole home Reverse Osmosis installed at point of entry into the home.