Understand your water

Common issues and answers

Water touches practically every room in your home. Its quality affects how your water tastes and smells, the food you cook, how your skin and hair feel and even how your appliances, fixtures and plumbing look and last. There are so many ways that better water can make a difference in your life. We invite you to learn more.

 

Hard Water

Hard water contains dissolved calcium, magnesium and, in many cases, iron. Most homes have hard water, whether it is supplied by a private well or a municipality. In many cases, homeowners don't realize they have hard water or the constant and expensive harm it causes.

Many mistake the telltale signs of hard water and blame the problems on inadequate cleaners and detergents and poor performing appliances. Or they resign themselves to the fact that these problems are simply a way of life. Dry skin and hair, bathtub ring, spots on glass and silverware, dull, dingy clothing, disappointing performance and a shortened life expectancy of water-using appliances are all problems frequently caused by hard water. Most don't realize how much time, money and energy is spent fighting the hard water battle.

Take the first step and find out how hard your water is and if there are any other issues. Our water professionals will be glad to arrange for a free, in-home water and plumbing analysis.


 

Staining

Water is a natural solvent, and given the needed time and conditions, it will dissolve anything it comes in contact with. That’s why, depending on where you live, your water can contain iron or manganese, which can cause rusty-orange or black staining. It can even alter hair color. Or if you have water that has a low pH, you can see the telltale, blue-green stains. You’ll see the stains on clothes, fixtures, sinks, tubs, water-using appliances and toilets. Quite frankly, the stains can appear on anything the water comes in regular contact with. These stains are very difficult to remove, if you can get rid of them at all.

Our water professionals will be happy to perform a free, in-home water analysis to see what’s causing stains in your home. From there, they will suggest options for treatment if needed.

 

 

Tastes and Odors

In its pristine state, water is colorless, tasteless and odorless.
So, if your water tastes or smells funny, you owe it to yourself to find out why.

  • Earthy or musty taste and odor:

    These types of complaints are generally the result of compounds released due to decayed vegetation and are typically associated with different forms of algae. They are most prevalent in supplies that use surface water as their supply. While not toxic, they are nonetheless unpleasant and can be offensive at very low concentrations.

  • “Rotten egg” smell:

    Another common source of smelly water is hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless corrosive gas that has the characteristic odor of rotten eggs. It is most commonly found in groundwater supplies and often is noticed coming from hot water tanks. It can occur naturally from deep in the ground or can be produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria. It can affect the taste of food and beverages, making them unpalatable. If present in high enough concentrations, it can leave an unpleasant odor on hair and clothing. It can also accelerate corrosion of metal parts in appliances. Because it is a gas, testing for it usually has to be performed onsite.

  • Metallic taste:

    As the name implies, a metallic taste to your water indicates the presence of metals such as iron, copper, manganese or zinc. Iron and manganese are often naturally occurring and are predominantly found in groundwater. Copper and zinc can come from an aging water distribution system or the corrosion of copper plumbing and brass fittings.

    Take the first step and find out how to remove bad taste and odors from your water. Our water professionals will be glad to arrange for a free, in-home water and plumbing analysis.

 

Chlorine Taste and Smell

Since the 1850s, chlorine has been used as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria in water itself or the pipes that transport it. It has helped end a number of major threats to public health. Although chlorine in water is essential at the treatment plant and in the water distribution system, it is no longer necessary once the water reaches your home.

Though chlorine is vital for stopping the spread of disease, its benefits come at a price. Chlorine tastes and smells bad. It dries skin and hair, fades clothes (bleach is made of chlorine) and can dry out the rubber seals in appliances, shortening their lives.

Kinetico’s chlorine removal systems eliminate chlorine from your water.

Our water professionals will be glad to arrange for a free, in-home water and plumbing analysis.

 

 

Bacteria and Viruses

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there could be as many as 12 million cases of waterborne acute gastrointestinal illness annually in the United States alone. These illnesses are frequently caused by bacteria, viruses and protozoa that make their way into the water supply. And unfortunately, these contaminants can survive in the environment for months. Even well operated, state-of-the-art treatment plants cannot ensure that drinking water is entirely free of microbial pathogens. System failures do occur, and not all systems are functioning at the levels they should. And bottled water, which is unregulated and varies considerably, may not offer any more safeguards against pathogens than tap water.

If you’re concerned about the safety of your water supply, contact one of our water professionals for a free water test and in-home plumbing audit. They’ll get you reliable facts you can act on with confidence, and give you dependable options if your water needs treatment.

 

Cloudy Water

Cloudy, murky or grayish water is usually caused by dissolved or suspended solids. This is also known as “turbidity.” Water can become turbid naturally or from land disturbances such as construction, storms and urban runoff.

The turbidity of your water can range from low to high. But even if your water looks clear, it could still contain a high level of dissolved solids. That’s why, whether your water is turbid or not, we recommend you have it tested. Call us and one of our water professionals will perform a free water analysis and plumbing audit. Based on the results, they’ll recommend appropriate treatment approaches if needed.

 

The Importance of Water Testing

Why do we do so many test on your water? Because the more you know, the better off you’ll be.

Water quality can no longer be taken for granted. There are many variables that can come into play: the possibility of contamination, our aging water distribution system, unknown well-water quality and the type of plumbing in your home. And unbeknownst to many, municipalities can supply you with hard water. They are also supposed to provide you with water that meets federal standards, but are those standards your standards? You can read more about regulated contaminants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency or learn about the recommended ways to keep your family’s water safe with the Water Quality Association’s Drinking Water Treatment Fact Sheet.

Some water issues are obvious, others are invisible. Our local water professionals know your area and your water. They’ll provide you with a free water analysis and plumbing audit, so you can be armed with the information you need to make the right decisions for you and your home.

 



 

 

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