WATER ISSUES
1. Scale Deposits – Water Hardness
When natural ground water is exposed to limestone in the earth, the water may dissolve some of the minerals in the rock. The concentration and type of minerals dissolved determines the water hardness and composition. These minerals are typically calcium and or magnesium bicarbonates and are referred to as temporary hardness because they will eventually precipitate out of the water as a scale. Hard water gets its name from the fact that it can be hard to deal with and may pose a negative economic impact on the user.
2. Bleach odors – Chlorine
Public water suppliers generally chlorinate water to prevent bacterial growth. Typical levels of free chlorine in drinking water from PWS are 0.2 – 2.0 parts per million (ppm), though levels can be as high as 5.0 ppm. Adding chlorine to the water through shock chlorination of a well or plumbing system produces a strong bleach (chlorine) odor. In some cases, the added chlorine may interact with organic materials built up in the plumbing system and add odor to the water.
3. Staining Issues – Iron and Tannins
Iron in water is easy to detect in levels as low as 0.3 mg/l. Inorganic Iron is the second most common element in the ground and easily dissolves in water. Iron exceeding 0.3 mg/l may leave behind unsightly stains that are difficult to remove from fixtures and appliances. Small amounts of iron in the water affect its flavor and often add a metallic taste to beverages. Iron can exist in four different forms in water depending upon its overall chemistry and its removal from water is very dependent upon how it exists and in what concentration. Tannins are formed from the decomposition of natural organic vegetative matter in the soil. Tannins can cause water to have a slight yellowish tint and may cause staining of laundry and fixtures.
4. Bad taste and Smell – Hydrogen Sulfide
Hydrogen Sulfide is a gas in water that gives it the infamous Rotten Egg Odor. Often referred to as sulfur, hydrogen sulfide or H2s is easily detectable at 0.2 parts per million and can be found in our area in concentrations exceeding 10 PPM or more. H2s is a weak acid when it is dissolved in the water and can be highly corrosive to copper, brass, silver and other metals usually turning them black. H2s in high concentrations will even penetrate and corrode electrical wiring and equipment and while rare, high concentrations can be flammable and are highly toxic to humans.
5. Cloudiness and Discoloration – Turbidity
Discoloration of water is another sign of impurities. In most cases, water cloudiness and discoloration is a noticeable issue in bath water and at the faucet(s) where water is used for drinking. To clear up water used for bathing, treating water for the whole house or building is necessary. If cloudiness or discoloration of water is only an issue for drinking water, then it is best to treat water at the faucet where it is used. Contaminants that cause cloudiness or discoloration of the water can be reduced by using a turbidity filter which is fitted and installed in a whole home system. Turbidity refers to the amount of small particles of solid matter suspended in water as measured by the amount of scattering and absorption of light rays caused by the particles.
6. Corrosion – Rust and Oxidation
The corrosion of pipes and plumbing fixtures can cause a bevy of problems with your water. Corrosion is the gradual decomposition or destruction of a material by oxidation or chemical actions, often due to an electrochemical reaction. Corrosion starts at the surface of a material and moves inward. Corrosion of iron or steel is commonly called rusting. A number of factors will accelerate corrosion, including:
- Acidity (low pH)
- High mineral concentrations
- Stray current electrolysis
- Galvanic corrosion caused by dissimilar metals
- Dissolved oxygen content
- Water temperatures
Bacteria
UV light
UV light irradiates the water and kills everything in it like bacteria. They are common in hotels abroad where local water has a serious disease risk to tourists. This type of filtration is gaining popularity as we see them in more everyday situations such as your office water cooler or some home systems. Some systems incorporate an hour counter so a new element can be replaced at a safe interval. These devices consume power.
Assessing your water issues is our specialty at Eagle Water Treatment. With many years of combined experience within our team, Eagle Water Treatment Systems has the resources necessary to provide a premium experience within the water treatment industry. We specialize in water purification and water conditioning both for municipal and private water treatment needs. Our approach enables us to create customized water filter solutions ranging from commercial water treatment to all aspects of whole home and point of use drinking water filtration. We also offer a full-line of salt free water systems for the home and commercial applications. Our primary mission is to provide you and your family with the best water treatment filtration method available.
Contact Us Today to Fix Your Water Issues