Most people assume the quality of their tap water is good.
A variety of factors can affect how your water tastes, smells, feels and cleans. Examples that can affect a home’s water supply include an aging water distribution system, well water quality, seasonal and unexpected contaminations, violations of federal drinking water standards and a home’s plumbing. Some water problems may not be as obvious as others. That’s why you need us to test your water to determine if water treatment is necessary and which solution is best for your home.
Don’t take your water quality for granted. Is it safe to MINIMUM legal standards ONLY? Most likely. Could it be better? Definitely.
If for no other reason, there are many important health benefits of removing contaminants from your water. But, did you also know there are many additional aesthetic benefits to treating your water? These benefits include:
Look for these signs of poor quality water around your house:
Dry skin and hair, bathtub ring, spots on glass, silverware and fixtures, dull, dingy clothing, disappointing performance and a shortened life expectancy of water-using appliances are all problems frequently caused by hard water.
Hard water contains dissolved calcium, magnesium and in many cases, iron. Most homes have hard water, whether it is supplied by a private well or a municipality. In many cases, homeowners don’t realize they have hard water and the ultimate negative effect it has on their health and appliances, including their wallet for repair expenses.
Free Water Analysis for Hard Water
Cloudy, murky or grayish water is usually caused by dissolved or suspended solids. This is also known as “turbidity.” Water can become turbid naturally or from land disturbances such as construction, storms and urban runoff.
The turbidity of your water can range from low to high. But even if your water looks clear, it could still contain a high level of dissolved solids. That’s why, whether your water is turbid or not, we recommend you have it tested.
Free Water Analysis for Cloudy Water
Since the 1850s, chlorine has been used as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria in water itself or the pipes that transport it. Although it has helped end a number of major threats to public health and is essential at the treatment plant and in the water distribution system, it is no longer necessary once the water reaches your home.
Though chlorine is vital for stopping the spread of disease, its benefits come at a price. Chlorine tastes and smells bad. It dries skin and hair, fades clothes (bleach is made of chlorine), and can dry out the rubber seals in appliances, shortening their lives.
Free Water Analysis for Chlorine and Other Chemicals in Water
In its pristine state, water is colorless, tasteless and odorless. So, if your water tastes or smells funny, there’s probably a reason.
Earthy or musty taste and odor:
These types of complaints are generally the result of compounds released due to decayed vegetation and are typically associated with different forms of algae. While not toxic, they are nonetheless unpleasant and can be offensive at very low concentrations.
“Rotten egg” smell:
Another common source of smelly water is hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless corrosive gas which has the characteristic odor of rotten eggs. If present in high enough concentrations, it can leave an unpleasant odor on hair and clothing. It can also accelerate corrosion of metal parts in appliances.
Metallic taste:
As the name implies, a metallic taste to your water indicates the presence of metals such as iron, copper, manganese or zinc. Iron and manganese are often naturally occurring and are predominately found in groundwater. Copper and zinc can come from an aging water distribution system or the corrosion of copper plumbing and brass fittings.
Free Water Analysis because of bad taste and odors.
Iron, manganese and other minerals can cause rusty-orange or black staining. The stains seem impossible to clean. Additionally, you’ll see the stains on clothes, fixtures, sinks, tubs, water-using appliances and toilets.
Water is a natural solvent and given the needed time and conditions, it will dissolve anything it comes in contact with. That’s why, depending on where you live, your water can contain iron or manganese.
Free Water Analysis for rust and discolorations.
Blue-Green stains are often caused by copper deposited from the corrosion of the water piping and fixtures. The most likely cause is low alkalinity, which typically results in low acidic (low pH) water.
If water has a low pH, you can see the tell-tale, blue-green stains. These stains are most noticeable on white surfaces that your water comes in contact with such as sinks, tubs and showers, toilets and even white clothing.
Another cause may be chloride content from salt water.
Free Water Analysis for blue-green stains.
In the Age of COVID-19 and other biological contaminants, it is important to know what can and can’t be filtered out of your water. The good news is that a lot can be done to improve the quality of your water and your health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there could be as many as 12 million cases of waterborne acute gastrointestinal illness annually in the United States alone. These illnesses are frequently caused by bacteria, viruses and protozoa that make their way into the water supply. Even well operated, state-of-the-art treatment plants cannot ensure that drinking water is entirely free of microbial pathogens.
Free Water Analysis for bacteria & viruses.
Concern for the quality of your water can even save you money! Appliances that use water will waste less energy and last longer. You’ll need to use less soaps and detergents as well. And let’s face it, filtered water is better, safer and cheaper!