The water reaching out to your home gets treated at a water treatment plant to eliminate contaminants. It is easy to assume all the contaminants are eliminated are gone before the water reaches your home. However, it is not the case.
Water travels a long way before it gets to your home. And in its way, there is a potential for contamination. Adding to that, some households are also dependent on private sources such as wells and lakes for their water supply. And these private sources are not regulated just as the public water is.
As many contaminants present In water could be tasteless, colourless and odourless, your home and family could be affected by it. Water is affected by its environment which is always changing, so even if your water did not have certain contaminants last year, it might not be the case this year.
In most cases, there is nothing to worry about, but in homes with immunocompromised individuals, it is critical to conduct a water test once in a while to ensure the quality of water is safe.
Here are 6 contaminants you may or may not know about that are commonly found in water supplies.
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Iron & Manganese
Most private wells will have trace amounts of iron. Iron primarily enters into well water by seeping in from the earth’s crust as it is one of the most abundant elements present on earth. Excessive iron imparts a metallic taste to water and can cause a nuisance in the house.
Iron and manganese will clog pipes, reduce water pressure, and leave brown-black stains on plumbing fixtures and even clothing.
Prolonged exposure to iron can destroy the appliances and even cause health issues. Bathing in water high in iron can give your skin a reddish tint, dry out hair and negatively affects the skin.
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Hydrogen Sulphide
If your water smells like rotten eggs, then most probably it is caused by the presence of hydrogen sulphide gas. Even small amounts of hydrogen sulphide could cause the water to have an odorous smell making it unpleasant to use.
Hydrogen sulphide is a non-health risk, sadly it can have devasting effects on the plumbing. Because it is corrosive in nature, it can damage the pipes, leave black staining and cause expensive leaks.
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E.Coli & Coliform Bacteria
As per Environment Protection Agency, Nearly a third of private wells in Ireland are contaminated with E.Coli which makes the water unsafe to use. These harmful bacteria can enter your water supply through animal waste, pesticides, and agricultural runoff caused by a period of excessive rain.
Bacteria may also come from decomposing animals and entered the water supply.
You cannot just see or smell bacteria which is why water testing is even important.
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Calcium & Magnesium
Do you witness scale buildup on your appliances and glasses? Well, the reason for it is hard water. In simple words, water with excessive calcium and magnesium content is called hard water.
As rainwater passes through the earth’s surface, it dissolves limestone and other rock it comes in contact with.
Hard water can be problematic because it does not mix well with cleaning products often leaving a scum residue. This means you need to use more soap to attain the same lather with hard water. Furthermore, it leaves residue on skin and hair which can lead to dry & flaky skin, irritation and in worse cases could also lead eczema.
However, the biggest issue with hard water is the buildup of limescale on water-using appliances which can quickly reduce the working efficiency and destroy the appliances. It also leaves stains on plumbing fixtures, faucets, glasses, and ceramic tiles.
Scale buildup has known to restrict water flow in the pipes, thereby reducing the water pressure.
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Chlorine
In theory, drinking water should be odourless. However, in reality, water can taste and smell differently from place to place. A strong odour in water is a sign that something is not right about the water.
The off taste and smell in water are caused by the addition of chlorine by water treatment plants to disinfect the water and kill harmful pathogens by the time water reaches your home.
While it does the job pretty well, it leaves a strong taste and smell similar to a swimming pool. Consuming chlorine for a prolonged period of time is also dangerous and should not be done.
In most homes, the problem of chlorine can be easily solved by using a water filter.
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Fluoride
Next on this list, is fluoride. A chemical usually added to toothpaste, fluoride has a unique ability to prevent tooth decay. And for the same reason, it is added to public water supplies to improve dental health.
However, there has been much debate on its use. Many people have strong views against water fluoridation are concerned about the potential harm from excess intake.
In the United States, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a maximum amount of fluoride allowable in drinking water of 4.0 mg/L. Exposure to high concentrations of fluoride can result in dental & skeleton fluorosis, thyroid problems, neurological problems, and fluoride poisoning.
Many reports establish a strong link between fluoridation and cancer.
If there’s excessive fluoride in your water, it is best to choose an alternative source of water such as bottled water or using a reverse osmosis water filter.
Conclusion
No matter what problem you may have with your home’s water, the best way to solve it is by understanding what is causing it in the first place. A detailed water analysis would show the underlying problems in water and help make an informed decision.
If your home receives water through a public supply, chances are there would not be any major problem. A reverse osmosis system should be able to solve most of those problems such as bad taste and fluoride.
However, if the source of water is a private well or a lake, you might need a specialist water filtration system to eliminate any possible contamination. A water filtration company can recommend you the best treatment option based on your water test results.
It is critical to understand these specialist water filtration can be expensive, buts a necessity.
The best way to move forward is to check if there are any government water grants available in your area. Most grants cover a significant portion of the treatment costs and can save you’re a ton of money if you qualify. As private water supplies are not regulated, many local governments offer water grants to homeowners to improve their water quality.
