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Educational Information
COLIFORM BACTERIA:
Coliform Bacteria are groups of bacteria that indicate the possible presence of infectious disease organisms. It is recommended that water with coliform bacteria not be consumed until the problem is resolved. Coliform bacteria may get into the water supply through surface water runoff, especially after heavy rainfall. Fecal coliform, when accompanied by high nitrate and sulfate levels, may indicate a septic system or other fecal pollution source. Coliform bacteria present at a public water supply user's faucet may be a result of water and sewage pipes being cross connected causing plumbing backflow.
Recommended Treatment: Chlorination, Ozonation or Ultraviolet Light
ALKALINITY:
Most natural drinking water has an alkalinity in the rnage of 10 to 500 mg/l. Alkalinity in drinking water is due largely to the presence of sodium, calcium and magnesium carbonates.
ALUMINUM:
The fourth most common element in the earth's crust, aluminum is naturally present in drinking water and is added as a chlorination preparation at water utilities. Most of the what is added is usually removed, but a residue may sometimes be passed into treated water. Aluminum may cause discoloration of water.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
ARSENIC:
Arsenic in water can result from both natural process and industrial activities, including smelting operations, use of certain pesticides, and industrial waste disposal. Arsenic compounds have been shown to produce acute and chronic toxic effects which include systemic irreversible damage. The EPA has classified it as a known carcinogen.
Recommended Treatment: Reverse Osmosis, Distillation or Activated Alumina Absorption
BARIUM:
Barium is a naturally occurring metal found in many types of rocks. In stream water and most groundwater, only traces of the element are present. It is also used in oil and gas drilling muds, automotive paints, bricks, tiles and jet fuels. Exposure has been associated with hypertension and toxicity in animals.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
CADMIUM:
Cadmium is found in very low concentrations in most rocks, as well as in coal and petroleum and often in combination with zinc. It is introduced into the environment from mining and smelting operations. Other cadmium emissions are from fossil fuel use, fertilizer applications, sewage sludge disposal or galvanized pipe corrosion. Acute and chronic exposure to cadmium in animals and humans may cause hypertension, anemia and kidney effects.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
CALCIUM:
Calcium exists in soil and rock such as limestone, dolomite and gypsum. Drinking water contributes only a small amount of the required intake. Concentrations as great as 1800 mg/l of calcium in water are reported harmless. It can be a nuisance as it contributes to the hardness of the water and build up on pipes or water heaters may inhibit their performance. Low levels can be helpful as it tends to form a coating on pipes which may prevent corrosion.
Recommended Treatment: Water Softener
CHLORIDE:
Chloride in water can be a residual of chlorine and has been attributed to use of salt to de-ice roads. Other sources of chloride in ground water may be related to sea water trapped in sediments. High levels can contribute to corrosivity of plumbing and may be accompanied by high sodium levels which may be a health concern.
Recommended Treatment: Reverse Osmosis
CHROMIUM:
Chromium is a naturally occurring metal. It is often used in electroplating of metals. Although chromium is not currently mined in the U.S., waste from old mining operations may enter surface and ground water through runoff and leaching. Exposure at high levels has been shown to result in chronic toxic effects such as dermatitis, ulceration of skin or liver, and kidney damage in animals and humans by ingestion.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
COPPER:
Water can be a significant source of copper intake depending upon the geographic location, water character, water temperature, and the presence of copper pipes. At concentrations above 1 mg/1, copper can stain laundry and plumbing fixtures. Copper can also cause a greenish/blue tint to blonde hair. Copper is an essential element at lower levels but levels above 5 mg/l can cause gastronintestinal distrubances or other acute toxic effects.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation, Reverse Osmosis, or "Sode Ash" Feed
FLUORIDE:
Fluoride is naturally occurring and may be added to municipal water systems. At an optimum level of 1 mg/l, it has been shown to be effective in reducing dental cavities. Levels over 2 mg/l may cause mottling of teeth in nornal individuals living in a temperature climinate. Federal law requires a community water supply to notify users when monitoring indicates that fluoride exceeds 2 mg/l. The current allowable level is 4 mg/l. Your family dentist should be notififed of your fluroide level.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation, Reverse Osmosis or Activated Alumina
HARDNESS:
Hardness is usually caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium in water. They can combine with soap to form a scum on water and ring around the tub. You may find larger amounts of soap are required to form washing suds.
Recommended Treatment: Water Softener - To convert your results from mg/l to grains per gallon, divide your hardness results by 17.1
IRON:
Iron in drinking water is a very common problem. It occurs naturally from rock or can be introduced by plumbing materials. When iron comes in contact with oxygen, it changes to a reddish compound that can discolor bathroom fixtures and laundry. At this time, there are no known health effects from elevated iron in drinking water.
Recommended Treatment: Water Softener, Distillation, Oxidation and Filtration
LEAD:
The main source of lead in drinking water is leaching from lead piping and lead solders. Lead enteres primarily in areas having soft, acidic waters. When elevated lead levels are found consult a physician. Children and fetuses are especially sensitive to lead poisoning.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation, Reverse Osmosos or "Soda Ash" Feed
MAGNESIUM:
Magnesium is commonly found in rocks such as granite, sandstone, limestone and dolomites. High levels can be a nuisance contributing to the hardness of the water and inhibiting performance of pipes and water heaters.
Recommended Treatment: Water Softener
MERCURY:
Mercury is one of the least abundant elements in the earth's crust. It usually gets into water as a result of improper waste disposal. Exposure at high levels may result in kidney disease or central nervous system problems.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
NICKEL:
Nickel is not commonly found in nature as a pure metal. Nickel is often used in electroplating, stainles steel and alloy products. It generally gets into water from mining and refining operations. The absorption of dietary nickel from the gastronintestinal tract appears to be quite low, with the majority of nickel passed through the body.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
NITRATE AND NITRITE:
Nitrates occur naturally; however, the major sources of nitrates or nitrites in drinking water include fertilizer, sewage and feedlots. The toxicity of nitrate in humans is due to the body's reduction of nitrate and nitrite. These contaminants can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Therefore, notifying your baby's pediatrician of these levels is advisable.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation, Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange System with Nitrate Specific Resin
pH:
pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion content of water. The suggested level is a range of 6.5 - 8.5. A value of 7 is neutral which is ideal. Values lower than 7 are called "acidic" and values above 7 are called "basic" or "alkaline". A pH difference of one actually represents a tenfold difference in acid or base content. Acidic water dissolves metals readily and can be corrosive to plumbing which can increase the amount of toxic metals leaching into the water. Drinking water with a high pH by itself is not necessarily a problem, although the underlying cause may be a health concern.
Recommened Treatment: Low pH: Neutralizing Chemical Filter, "Soda Ash" Feed or Limestone Tank
PESTICIDES, HERBICIDES AND PCBs:
A common route for pesticides, herbicides and PCBs to reach your water is through runoff from surface water and leaching into ground water. Pesticides are used to control insects and other "pests". Certain pesticides have been banned but may still be found in the environment. Some herbicides may be used to control algal blooms in reservoirs and general weed control. PCBs were once widely used in electrical transformers and industrial equipment. There may be a range of health effects related to the nervous, respiratory or reproductive systems, as well as the heart, liver or kidneys. Also, some PCBs are probable carcinogens.
Recommended Treatment: Granular Activated Carbon
SELENIUM:
Selenium is found naturally in food and soils. It is used in electronics, photocopy operations, glass manufacturing, chemicals, drugs, and as a fungicide and feed additive. It can cause dermatitis or affect the nervous system.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
SILVER:
Silver is a relatively rare metal originating from natural sources and from industrial waste. The only adverse effect resulting from chronic exposure to low levels of silver in animals and humans is a blue-gray discoloration of the skin and internal organs.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
SODIUM:
Sodium in water can come from geological sources, road salt or as a result of using a water softener. A guidance level of 20 mg/l in drinking warer is suggested by the EPA for the high risk population of hypertensive and heart patients. If your sodium intake is being monitored, consult your family physician for advice.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation, Reverse Osmosis or Demineralization
SULFATE:
Sulfate is found in almost all natural water. It may enter through waste discharges and may indicate septic leaching into the water supply. Sulfate presence can cause a pungent odor and taste in drinking water and may have a laxative effect.
Recommended Treatment: Oxidation and Filtration, Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS:
TDS values are a measure of the amount of solids dissolved in your water. If you left a small amount of coffee in a cup for a few days, the water would evaporate and the dissolved solids would stay behind. The TDS value is derived from certain listed items and possibly other soluble substances.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
TRIHALOMETHANES:
Trihalomethanes (THMs) are in many water supplies especially municipal water supplies where it may be formed as a by-product of the reaction of the chlorine and organic matter. The most common THM, chloroform was one of the earliest anestetics, but is no longer used for this purpose because of its toxic side effects. It is used widely as a solvent in industry. This group of compounds can affect the nervous system and muscles and may be carcinogenic.
Recommended Treatment: Granular Activated Carbon
TURBIDITY:
Turbidity in water is caused by suspended matter, such as clay, silt, fine particules of organic and inorganic matter, and microscopic organisms. A turbid sample may not appear clear to the naked eye.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation, Reverse Osmosis or Cartridge Filteration
VOLATILE ORGANIC SHEMICALS (VOCS):
This group of chemicals can be described by their behavior. They readily "evaporate" into the air at very low temperatures. For example, gasoline contains VOCs. If you have ever pumped gas and spilled it, especially on a warm day, it disappears very quickly into the air and has a noticeable odor. VOCs can exist in water and a small increase in temperature will release them into the air (for example taking a hot shower). It may be in your interest to investigate the source of any presence of these compounds in your warer, especially since most are classified as carcinogenic.
Recommended Treatment: Aeration or Whole House Carbon Tank
ZINC:
Zinc is considered an essential element in human and animal nutrition. It may come from industrial contamination or corrosion of plumbing. In concentrations over 5 mg/l, zinc produces an objectionable taste and may cause water to appear milky upon boiling, water may seem to have a greasy surface scum. Cases of zinc poisoning have been reported from prolonged consumption of water at concentrations of 40 mg/l or greater.
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