Knowing About the Water

Turbidity (Cloudy Water)

Turbidity or cloudiness in water is caused by very small particles that remain suspended and tend to float because of their very low density. Some Turbidity (both organic or inorganic in nature) in surface water will settle out when the water is allowed to stand, however a portion of this material may be present as finely divided, colloidal matter and cannot be removed by settling. In general, most Turbidity in residential water treatment can be removed by passing the water through a “Bed” tank of granular-style media in a sediment filtration system. Make sure you consult with a water specialist to recommend you a proper unit.

Total Water Hardness

Knowing About the Water

Total Water Hardness 

Although much has been written over the past 75 years about water hardness, no universal definition exists of what constitutes various levels of Water Hardness. Water Hardness is measured chemically by the amount of Calcium Bicarbonate and Magnesium Bicarbonate contains in the water sample. Together, the sum of these two represents what is termed the “Total Hardness” or TH. Technically this measurement is called Temporary Hardness, as these carbonates can break down under elevated water temperatures. 
The common unit of measuring Water Hardness is grain per U.S. gallon (gpg). The more scientific measurement is in part per million (ppm), or what is generally considered the equivalent metric measure of milligrams per liter (mg/l). It takes 17.1 ppm (mg/l) to equal one U.S. gpg. Usually water testing above three grains (52ppm) per gallon is labeled “HARD”. However, the level of Hardness is very important especially in boiler feed water. To establish a set of Hardness levels, the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the American Society of Agricultural engineers jointly adopted Standard S-339, which brackets Water Hardness categories. 


Here are some problems directly connected with Hard Water: Consumes much more soap and makes cleaning more difficult, soap scum and lime scum in wash basins and toilet bowl; ring around bathtub; leaves hair looking duller after shampooing; dingy yellow collar in white laundry goods; whitish scale deposits in pipes, water heater and tea kettles. There also are some scientific studies relating Hard Water with human health such as hardening of the arteries.

Iron/Manganese and Chloramines

Knowing About the Water

Iron/Manganese
(Rusty Color, Sediment, Metallic taste, Reddish or Orange Staining) Iron in water, either alone or in combination with other troublesome water conditions, is frequent due to the fact that about 5% of the Earth’s crust is made up of Iron. Though not found in a pure state, Iron ores are abundant and widely distributed over the Earth. Iron water, if not treated can lead to serious complications in many industrial applications. In fact, there is hardly any wet process work that can be carried out successfully with water that contains Iron. 

There is little doubt when water contains Iron. “Iron Water” readily stains plumbing fixtures porcelain cooking utensils, laundry machines, dishwashers, etc. Iron build up in pressure tanks, water heaters, and plumbing cause automatic water pressure reduction in the house/building reducing also the efficiency causing homeowners costly repairs throughout the years. 


Chloramines

Chloramines are a compound formed by feeding both Chlorine and Ammonia to the water reservoir. This treatment has been used for controlling bacterial growth in long pipe lines and in the applications where slower oxidizing action is of particular benefit.

Sulfur/Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Odor)

Knowing About the Water
Sulfur/Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Odor)

In some regions of the United States, the appearance of Hydrogen Sulfide in water sources can be seasonal. For example, in the New England area, Hydrogen Sulfide shows up in the spring and the fall, when the water tables tend to be at their highest levels. Hydrogen Sulfide frequently occurs in well water sources that also contain appreciable levels of Iron, especially along the Eastern US Coastal plains. 

These anaerobic, single cell Sulfide-reducing bacteria can exist in home piping systems, especially on the hot water side. It is more noticeable on the first hot water drawn in the morning. 

There is never any doubt as to when it is present due to its offensive “rotten egg odor”. Hydrogen Sulfide promotes corrosion due to its activity as a weak acid. Furthermore, its presence in the air causes silver to tarnish in a matter of seconds. High concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide gas are both poisonous and flammable. While these concentrations are rare, their presence in drinking water has been known to cause nausea, illness and in extreme cases death.

Low pH-Acidic Water Green – Blue Symptom

Knowing About the Water
Low pH-Acidic Water
Green – Blue Symptom

Acid surface water and acid well water may be found in many areas in the US and Canadian territories and are usually very low in Hardness as well as Total Dissolved Solids “TDS”. The main influence in Low pH values in water is the presence of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and the lack of sufficient offsetting Bicarbonate Alkalinity. Surface water, lake reservoirs and streams pick up CO2 from the atmosphere. 

Well water can absorb CO2 created by decaying vegetation. Carbon Dioxide will combine with water to form Carbon Acid, which is classified as a weak acid. Acidic water normally leaves clean tracks of its presence, besides showing off through the bathroom fixtures (Green-Blue stain). It will also dissolve copper and leach metals out of the plumbing system, weakening them throughout the years and causing homeowners costly repairs. 

pH SCALE:

0 to 7 – Acidic

7 to 14 – Alkaline

7 - Neutral