Water Filtration
As a resident of Acton, MA, you likely have the town supplying water to your home but may have a private well, both of which may benefit from water filtration. Later in this write-up, specific contaminants that are commonly found in Acton private wells and the public water supply are identified and effective remediation methods are covered. Controllable, excellent water quality is achievable with the proper approach.
Most residents in Acton (almost 90 percent) receive their water from the Acton Water District, which has eleven wells located in various parts of town. These wells draw water from the ground, or groundwater, and pump it to treatment plants, and then on to homes, businesses, and schools.
WATER TESTING
If you have a private well, water testing should be conducted by an EPA or Massachusetts state certified laboratory and should include analysis for at least the parameters in the table below. If you are uncertain as to how to take a proper sample and get it to a lab, you should contact a lab or water treatment professional for assistance. They can walk you through the steps required to complete this task. If your water is town supplied, they frequently test for health threat contaminants, therefore, an in-home water test can be performed on items such as iron, hard water minerals, manganese, pH or chlorine level. Typical items tested for at a lab are as follows:
| Coliform bacteria | pH |
| Arsenic | Radon |
| Chloride | Sodium |
| Iron | Sulfate |
| Lead | Conductivity |
| Manganese | Nitrogen-Nitrate |
| Hardness | Total Dissolved Solids |
COMMON CONTAMINANTS
Some common issues encountered in Acton, MA private wells are manganese and iron along with low pH and sometimes the health threats radon and arsenic making their way into private well water. Even in the public water supply, you may notice symptoms of iron, manganese or low pH in the water. For a chart of symptoms, causes and solutions, see the link at Common Regional Water Problems.
Dissolved Iron Staining
BAD ODORS & TASTES IN YOUR WATER
There are various types of bad odors and tastes that you may experience in your water. Hydrogen Sulfide is not uncommon and is evidenced typically by a rotten egg smell in your water, however this may also be caused by high Manganese levels as well. A water filtration specifically for this problem is effective in correcting this. For a more complete description of this and other potential bad odors and taste in your water, see the link at https://h2ocare.com/bad-odor-taste-water/.
Water Softener with Sediment Filtration
WATER SOFTENER AND WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS
Water filtration systems can be installed for the removal of any of the contaminants discussed above and more. Water softeners are installed to remove hard water minerals, dissolved iron or manganese in the water through a technology called Ion Exchange. Particulate iron or manganese (which you can see in the water) can be removed with a properly sized sediment filtration set up.
Twin Arsenic system with Ozone
Arsenic is removed with tanks containing a specific media that “grabs” the arsenic out of the water. Removing radon from water requires a system in which the water is agitated in a sealed chamber then vented to the outside, sending the radon gas to ambient air. Other technologies and systems are used to remove other contaminants. Any water filtration system designed should start with a water test before an informed recommendation can be made.
Radon in Water Mitigation
H2O Care is an established, Massachusetts based water filtration and testing firm, formed in 1989 with offices in Hudson, MA and Middleton, MA. Articles published by the Company can be seen in Water Technology Magazines at publications. Contact us at service@h2ocare.com or 978-777-8330.