COMMON WATER PROBLEMS

Listed below are the most common water problems encountered in New England.

Iron

Symptoms:
Red/brown stains in sinks, tub, dishwasher, laundry; metallic taste.
Description:
A naturally occurring mineral that shows up in two forms:
- Dissolved in solution (ferrous form – can’t see)
- Precipitated (ferric) particulate iron which you can see in water
Typical Solutions:
Water Softener/Ion Exchange, Oxidation, Filtration

Manganese

Symptoms:
Brownish-black staining in dishwasher & other plumbing fixtures.
Description:
A naturally occurring mineral that will react with chlorine bleach to intensify staining. It can be a health threat above certain levels.
Typical Solutions:
Water Softener/Ion Exchange, Oxidation, Filtration

Corrosion (Low pH)

Symptoms:
Green/blue stains in sinks, other fixtures; shortened life for plumbing, hot water heaters, other water using appliances.
Description:
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. Low pH can cause pinhole leaks in copper piping, requiring replacement.
Typical Solutions:
Acid Neutralization, Corrosion Inhibitor, Aeration

Hardness

Symptoms:
White scale on pipes and fixtures, difficult to make soapsuds. Hot water heaters and other Waterways using appliances fail in less than their expected useful life.
Description:
Dissolved calcium and magnesium. Excessive hardness causes scale build-up inside pipes, restricting water ow, putting stress on water using equipment which must work harder. It can significantly reduce the useful life of water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and other fixtures and water using appliances, requiring early replacement.
Typical Solutions:
Water Softener/Ion Exchange

Hydrogen Sulfide

Symptoms:
Rotten egg smell; silver tarnishes easily.
Description Dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas, can also be caused by iron or sulfide reducing bacteria. If you’ve ever been inside a dwelling with this issue, you will likely not forget it.
Typical Solutions Oxidation, Filtration, Carbon Adsorption, Aeration, Ozonation

Tastes & Odors

Symptoms Fishy, musty or oily smell and taste.
Description:
Volatile organic substances, usually but not always harmless.
Typical Solutions:
Sediment Filtration, Activated Carbon, Ozonation

Turbidity

Symptoms:
Cloudy water; faucet screens may clog frequently.
Description:
Suspended solids may hamper disinfection eorts requiring more frequent faucet screen cleaning to resume normal water ow
Typical Solutions:
Sediment Filtration, Coagulation, Activated Carbon

Radon (Rn)

Symptoms:
Impossible to detect without appropriate laboratory water test.
Description:
Typically originates in deep wells that tap radon contaminated groundwater. Releases into air when water is turned on in showers, faucets, etc. It can be serious health threat.
Typical Solutions:
Aeration. Carbon may be used at low levels, but is not considered a good long term solution.

Arsenic (As)

Symptoms:
Impossible to detect without appropriate laboratory water test.
Description:
Occurs naturally through rock decomposition or from industrial uses. Mostly found as As III or as AsV. It can be serious health threat.
Typical Solutions:
Depending on the form, As III or As V. Removal techniques include precipitation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis.

Salt Water Intrusion

Symptoms:
Salty taste, heavy corrosion, salty build-up.
Description:
Usually shows up in wells dug near marshy or coastal areas. Highly corrosive, not drinkable, unpleasant to bathe in.
Typical Solutions:
Reverse osmosis at the point of entry into the home.

SOLUTIONS TO RESIDENTIAL WATER PROBLEMS

 
Waterways website_Drip-2  Water Softening
Waterways website_Drip-2  Whole Home Solutions for Iron & Manganese Removal
Waterways website_Drip-2  Radon in Well Water Reduction
Waterways website_Drip-2  Arsenic in Well Water Reduction
Waterways website_Drip-2  Drinking Water Purification
Waterways website_Drip-2  Reverse Osmosis
Waterways website_Drip-2  Carbon Filtration
Waterways website_Drip-2  Lawn Irrigation
Waterways website_Drip-2  Ultra Violet (UV) Light Disinfection
Waterways website_Drip-2  Lead Reduction