Hard water is a very common problem affecting more than 85% of the
country. It is caused by a combination of dissolved minerals: calcium,
magnesium, and manganese. As the concentration of these minerals
increase, the following symptoms may appear:
- Soap scum in sinks and bathtubs
- Bathtub rings
- Spots on dishes or shower doors
- Reduced foaming and cleaning ability of soap and detergent
- Dingy, yellowed clothes caused by soapy residues
- Clogged pipes from buildup of minerals
- Increased energy costs to heat water, and premature water heater failure
- Possible skin infections from bacteria trapped in pores, underneath soap scum
Water is considered hard when it exceeds 3 grains per gallon (GPG). A
GPG is equivalent to 17.1 PPM, so if your water is 171 PPM, then your
water hardness is 10 GPG.
While the symptoms above may be unpleasant, hard water is not considered a human health hazard and can be easily treated.
If you suspect that you have hard water, you can
have it tested. If you are connected to a public supply, call your
water provider and ask them if your water is hard. If you are on a
private well, contact Pure Quality Water Filtration to have it tested
for free.
A "rusty" or metallic taste in water is caused by iron, and,
occasionally, manganese. They not only create a bad taste, but they can
also stain plumbing fixtures and clothing. Iron and manganese are not
considered health hazards; rather, they are considered “aesthetically”
unpleasing. Higher concentrations of manganese may have a laxative
affect.
Iron and manganese occur naturally, and most ground water has a small
amount of dissolved iron and manganese. They can enter water through
contact with minerals that contain iron, such as pyrite. Iron and
manganese can also enter ground water supplies by bacteria that feed on
the minerals; however, iron-reducing bacteria are usually associated
with ground water.
There are several treatment methods to remove iron and manganese; but, they can be difficult processes:
- Installing a water softener may help if iron and manganese
are present in low quantities, and the softener is designed to remove
them.
- Aeration (the addition of oxygen to the water),
chlorination, and the use of ozone or hydrogen peroxide can aid in the
precipitation of iron; then iron and manganese are easier to remove
from the water by filtration.
- Potassium permanganate
combined with manganese greensand filters, and certain synthetic media,
can also remove iron and manganese. However, greensand will only
effectively remove iron if the water contains enough free alkalinity.
Otherwise, consistent pass-thru will occur.
Contact Pure Quality Water Filtration for information about iron and manganese removal methods.
Most nitrogen in water comes from the atmosphere. Certain plants
"attach" nitrogen from the atmosphere and place it onto their roots.
Excess nitrogen—not used by the plants—is then released into the soil.
Nitrogen compounds can also work their way into ground water through
fertilizers, manure, and urine from farm animals, sewage, and
landfills.
The most common forms of nitrogen found in water are ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.
- Excessive concentrations of nitrates are especially toxic to children under six-months old.
- Exposure
to ammonia also presents a health risk, is toxic to aquatic life, and
can interfere with other types of water treatment.
There are a variety of treatment methods, including reverse osmosis
systems with water softeners to remove nitrates and nitrites, or
oxidation methods to remove small amounts of ammonia. However, removal
of nitrogen should be a last resort. Removing the source of
contamination is the first priority—especially if your water comes from
a well. You should protect the wellhead and surrounding area from
contamination by animals or fertilizers.
Contact Pure Quality Water Filtration for information about nitrogen removal methods
Sulfur occurs in water in two forms: sulfides and sulfates.
Sulfides naturally occur in many areas of the United States where one
of the following exists: limestone containing organic materials; ground
water affected by oil, gas, or coal deposits; or adjacent to marshes
and manure pits. Sulfur may also occur as the byproduct of
well-established biofilms formed by iron or sulfate-reducing bacteria.
Additionally, sulfates often come from dissolving minerals like gypsum
and anhydrite.
A “rotten egg” smell coming from your water indicates the presence
of hydrogen sulfide gas. Along with creating an unpleasant odor and
taste, sulfides are corrosive to your plumbing and can darken water.
Fortunately, there are several methods for treating sulfur.
Aeration, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorine (best followed by
filtration) are effective against dissolved hydrogen sulfide. A reverse
osmosis system, nanofiltration system, or a negative ion-exchanger can
also effectively reduce sulfates.
If your water contains sulfates, or has taste and odor problems,
contact Pure Quality Water Filtration to discuss the best treatment plan to eliminate the problems.
Total dissolved solids (TDS) are a measurement of the total
concentration of all the dissolved minerals in water. TDS is not
generally considered to be hazardous to human health at low
concentrations; however, TDS levels above 1000 mg/L typically yield
poor tasting water, while levels above 2000 mg/L are considered
undrinkable due to taste.
TDS levels greater than 10,000 mg/L are defined as undrinkable.
Water softeners with a reverse osmosis system are effective in lowering the TDS to satisfactory levels.
Contact Pure Quality Water Filtration for information about lowering Total Dissolved Solids.
Water Quality Basics 
