Whole house water filtration – Lynnfield, Mass.

WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS FOR BAD TASTES & ODORS

CHLORINE SMELL & TASTE IN WATER

There are various objectionable smells and tastes that may present themselves in drinking water supplies, where from a private well or public water supply.  Homeowners on public water supplies often cite an objectionable chlorine smell & taste.  Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to drinking water to disinfect it and kill germs. It is the most common method employed by cities and towns used for this purpose. While the chemical could be harmful in high doses, when it is properly added to water it mixes and results in low levels that kill germs but are still safe to drink. The dosing levels of chlorine may vary during the course of the year. During the summer months when the water heats up, the potential for increased bacterial activity typically is countered with higher doses of chlorine. Also, depending on where your home is in the distribution system, you may have a higher level of chlorine in your water if you live closer to the water treatment plant and less if you are farther downstream.

The smell and taste given off by highly chlorinated water can be very off putting. Who hasn’t lifted a water glass in a restaurant to a heavy whiff of chlorine? A carbon filter or carbon filtration system is very effective at removing this annoying water quality issue as well as some other bad odors and tastes.  For more detail on various types of odors & tastes with respective causes and whole house water filtration solutions, see the link at Bad Tastes & Odors in Water.

FISHY, MUSTY SMELL & TASTE IN WATER

If you’re noticing this bad odor in your water in the summertime, it is likely being caused by algae blooms. Lakes and reservoirs often see an increase in algae blooming on the surface of the water when there is plenty of warmth and direct sunlight. Although water treatment facilities remove the algae from the water, the particles that cause the fishy bad odor can sometimes be detected by people who are sensitive to musty or mildew like smells. The presence of these particles do not pose any direct threat to your health, but if you are on a public water supply, you may want to contact the water division of your town and get an explanation from them.

Another cause of this fishy bad smell may be the combination of chlorine and ammonia which together create a compound called Chloramine. This is often used to disinfect public water sources (as a substitute for chlorine) and can sometimes produce an unpleasant aroma in your water. Surface water sources, such as reservoirs contain organic matter that, when combined with chlorine at the water treatment plant, can cause by-product compounds called Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids. These have proven to be a health threat, and as such, many towns have switched to Chloramine to avoid this. For more on Chloramine see the link at: EPA Chloramine.  Whole house water filtration systems will correct this annoying water quality issue.

ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN WATER

Rotten egg smell is a common water quality issue in the New England region usually caused by Hydrogen sulfide.  Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can exist naturally in groundwater. Sulfur-reducing bacteria present in groundwater use sulfur as an energy source to chemically change sulfates to hydrogen sulfide which releases a rotten egg smell in water. The bacteria use sulfur from decaying plants and other organic matter in oxygen-deficient environments. They can occur in deep or shallow wells, and reside in plumbing systems. Hydrogen sulfide can reveal itself in other ways too. Hot water heaters that have a magnesium rod used for corrosion control can chemically reduce sulfates to Hydrogen sulfide. Other than releasing a rotten egg smell in water, Hydrogen sulfide may be corrosive and can leach metals from plumbing systems into the water. The result of this corrosion of metals by Hydrogen sulfide can be a black precipitate that can stain laundry and bathroom fixtures, darken silverware, and discolor copper and brass utensils.  Also, at high levels, Hydrogen sulfide can pose serious health threats.  There are various technologies for removing this problem, depending on its level in your water.  Ozone, carbon filtration and aeration are some methods available.  For more on this topic, see the link at: OSHA H2S Link.

GASOLINE OR PETROCHEMICAL TYPE SMELL

If you notice a bad odor or taste in your water which is like diesel or petrol, there’s a quick check you can do to work out where it may be coming from. Pour a glass or water from the tap you’ve noticed the smell or taste from. Take this into another room if possible, or as far away from the tap itself. If the smell or taste disappears, this could mean there is a problem with the drain near the tap, it may not be connected properly. If the bad odor is still there it could be because there are petrochemicals around the area of your water pipes. You should check for any fuel leaks on your driveway or on the road near your property. It is also possible that leakage from a gasoline storage tank in the area is causing this, therefore you may want to contact your town to find out if they are aware of any situations that may have affected the well where you live. This leakage could have happened a long time ago and has begun finding its way into the aquifer supplying your well.  Depending on the water test and analysis, this water quality issue can be corrected with several technologies, including carbon filtration, oxidation and ozone.

WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTRATION – Radon & Arsenic in private wells

Other contaminants found in New England well water include Radon and Arsenic.  A water softener will not remove these health threat contaminants. Radon in water is safely removed with an aeration system that agitates the incoming well water, releasing the gas from the water in a sealed chamber. This gas is then safely vented to the outside ambient air.

Arsenic in water can be removed at the point of entry into the home by installing whole house water filtration tanks filled with arsenic specific resin that captures the arsenic before it can get into the home’s water supply.  Point of use systems for drinking water can use reverse osmosis technology to effectively remove arsenic as well. Speak to a water treatment professional to decide which system is right for you.