Water filtration system – Newbury, Mass.

WATER FILTRATION OR WATER SOFTENING

If your Newbury, MA private well contains elevated levels of the minerals or contaminants identified in the following paragraph, you may need a water filtration system or water softener to correct the situation.

The most common water quality issues encountered in private well water in Newbury, MA are Iron, Manganese, and Hard Water minerals (Magnesium & Calcium).  These are not uncommon in Massachusetts private wells.  Additionally, wells dug near the coast are susceptible to salt water intrusion.  While these are all naturally occurring, the effects on your home’s water can either cause potential health concerns and/or aesthetic and other problems.

IRON, MANGANESE & HARD WATER

Iron shows up in two forms; Dissolved in solution (ferrous form – clear water iron, can’t see until it stains) or precipitated (ferric) particulate iron which you can see in the water. Typical symptoms of iron in your water include Red/Brown stains in sinks, tub, dishwasher, laundry and/or Metallic taste.  Iron may also show up in the form of Iron bacteria. Although harmless, iron bacteria can form gelatinous growths that my plug pipes or break free in slugs of dirty iron-laden water with unpleasant tastes and odors. The U.S. EPA drinking water regulations set a recommended secondary maximum contaminant level of iron at .3 milligrams per liter. The reason they call it a secondary contaminants is that iron isn’t considered a primary health threat. See the link at Iron Article in Water Technology Magazine for more information on Iron in water and related water filtration challenges.

Manganese similarly shows up dissolved in solution or precipitated (particulate) which you can see in the water. Typical symptoms of manganese in your water include brownish-black staining in the dishwasher and other plumbing fixtures. Manganese may also show up in the form of manganese bacteria.  Although harmless, manganese bacteria can form gelatinous growths that my plug pipes or break free in slugs of dirty manganese-laden water with unpleasant tastes and odors. The U.S. EPA drinking water regulations set a recommended secondary maximum contaminant level of iron at .05 milligrams per liter.  Manganese is also considered a secondary health threat, however at certain high levels, especially in children, can be a health threat.  For more information on this topic, see the link at Manganese Article in Water Tech Magazine.  Hydrogen sulfide is typically evidenced by a rotten egg smell in the water, however, this can also be a sign of high manganese. A properly specified water filtration system will correct this problem.

Hard Water is the result of dissolved magnesium and calcium in the water. This can cause white scale build-up on plumbing fixtures as well as inside the piping distribution system and water using appliances. In addition to the aesthetic and potential equipment damage, cleaning can be made much more difficult with hard water. This includes cleaning your skin, hair and surfaces in your house or business.

FOR IRON & MANGANESE REMOVAL, water filtration systems typically consist of a water softener (ion exchange technology), sediment filtration or a combination of both.  Water softeners are will remove iron and manganese found in solution while sediment filtration will remove particulate forms.

RADON IN WATER

Water filtration systems that effectively remove radon from water will include an agitation chamber that churns the water to release the radon gas, and then vents it outside to mix with ambient air.  Proper venting is critical to a properly designed system.

ARSENIC IN WATER

Arsenic can have severe health consequences as it has been linked to cancer. The maximum allowable level of Arsenic in drinking water per the EPA is .01 mg/L (miligrams per liter) or 10 parts per billion. For more information on this see the link at Mass DEP Arsenic Link. Depending on the level of arsenic found in the water, certain sized tanks are filled with arsenic-specific media that will grab the arsenic out of the water. Proper installation and maintenance is critical, but these systems are very effective and proven.

SALT WATER INTRUSION INTO WELLS

Saltwater intrusion is exactly what it sounds like – the movement of salt water into fresh water. This can contaminate drinking water and lead to an array of other consequences. We have installed whole home reverse osmosis water filtration systems in Newbury,MA to correct this problem.  They require unique experience in design, installation and maintenance and are the only type of system that will properly eliminate the salt water problem.

Where is this problem most likely to occur and are you at risk?

Not surprisingly, saltwater intrusion occurs mostly off coastal areas. If you have a home in a marshy area near a coastline and your water comes from the ground, you’re at a much higher risk for saltwater intrusion.  For more information on this, see the link at https://h2ocare.com/saltwater-intrusion.

In summary, if you are a resident of Newbury, MA  or are considering becoming one, encountering any of the above issues in your water is not something that should prevent you from living in a town you’ve decided you would enjoy.  Water filtration systems including water softeners, sediment filtration, radon and arsenic removal systems are proven technologies that work and will provide you with excellent water quality.

H2o Care, Inc. is an established, full service water testing and filtration systems installation and service organization formed in 1989, based in Middleton, MA on route 114 with an additional office in Hudson, MA. The company has been published in Water Technology Magazines for contaminants common to this region; see http://www.h2ocare.com/pub. We can be reached at [email protected] or call us at 978-777-8330.