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Here are the Facts You Should Know Before You Decide

Water Basics 101

Water falls into two general categories: Surface Water and Ground Water. Surface Water is found in rivers and lakes, and is usually not very high in mineral content. Surface Water is usually called "soft water," even though it is not. This class of water is exposed to contaminates such as insecticides, industrial wastes, pesticides, animal wastes, algae and other organic materials.

Ground Water, on the other hand, is water that is trapped beneath the ground. Some of the many sources for ground water include rain that soaks into the ground, rivers that disappear beneath the earth, and melting snow. And because of the many sources for ground water, it may contain all of the contaminants found in surface water as well as dissolved minerals the water has picked-up along the way. A common problem found in ground water supplies is the presence of hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium. When water contains a certain level of these minerals it is considered "hard." This is where we get the term "hard water."

Hard Water

Hard water is the most universal problem found in the average home. The most common hardness minerals are calcium, manganese and magnesium. These minerals form a scale and eventually create problems in many household appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, coffee makers, humidifiers, and entire plumbing systems. They also combine with soap to form "soap scum" that can't be rinsed off. This soap scum not only remains on porous surfaces, it also stays on your skin after rinsing, clogging the pores of your skin and coating the hair on your body. This residue can serve as a host for bacteria, causing diaper rash, minor skin irritation, and itchy skin.

Water Conditioners

Fortunately, the presence of hard water can be rectified with a good quality water conditioning system. Although there are several types of systems available for homeowners, the most popular, and arguably the most effective, are the ones that filter the water supply through a resin bed and backwashed with a brine solution.

The advantages of such a system are immediate. First, because hard water is converted to soft water, it delivers greater cleaning powers with up to 70% less detergent. The cost of cleaning supplies should drop dramatically. Dishwashers suddenly clean glasses and dishes without spotting, and since scale is eliminated, the appliance lasts longer.

Since many stains such as bathtub rings and darkening porcelain are caused by buildup of calcium and magnesium, they are removed by a good quality water softener.

In many cases, energy costs are reduced significantly. By eliminating scale in hot water heaters, for example, the energy required to heat water can be reduced by as much as 21% or more. Conditioned water also reduces corrosion in faucets and faucet valves, increasing service life and cutting plumbing costs down the road.

Many people feel the biggest benefit of conditioned water is the feeling of silkiness and cleanliness it brings to baths and showers. Plus conditioned water revives hair color, eliminates razor burns and softens hands that are red and rough as a result of hard water.

Of course, hard water is only one problem found in residential water supplies. Consumers buy home water treatment units for many different reasons. Some may be concerned about chemicals or particles that affect the taste or appearance of their drinking water. Others may be concerned that their water contains harmful organisms such as bacteria, or chemical pollutants such as pesticides or industrial solvents that can do more than just foul the taste of water, they can actually pose a threat to health.

When Should You Test Your Water?

There are several factors that will influence when and how often you should test your water. Where do you get your water from - a public water supply or private well? Has that source changed? Have you done any plumbing changes lately? Is there reason to believe that your water is contaminated? Is there a sickness or illness in your family affecting more than one person and over a longer than normal period of time?

Professionals agree, it's a good idea for homeowners to have their water tested at least once every three years, and even more often if the source is well water or if there's any reason to believe the water source has become polluted.

If you have water provided by a "Public Supply," i.e., a municipal supply, it is most likely checked on a regular basis. The frequency of testing, however, depends on the number of people served, and can vary from more than once per week to once per month, or even less. Under these conditions, it's best to test your water when you move into a new residence to determine a "base line" of contaminant level, if any.

If your water source is a private well, you are the only person responsible for the water your family drinks and bathes in. A good habit to get into is to have your water tested by the local Health Department every six months for bacteria and nitrate. These two tests will serve as indicators for other types of contamination - meaning if you get bad test results from them, you should also retest for other contaminants as well.

Private wells should be tested on a regular basis for pesticides, herbicides, metals, organic and inorganic chemicals. Since you are the person responsible for your family's water, professionals recommend an initial test for your base line, and then retesting at least once a year.

What Should You Test For?

Besides hard water minerals, there are four contaminants you can test for. Coliform bacteria is a group of microorganisms normally found in the intestinal tract of humans and other warm blooded animals, and is also found in surface water. The presence of coliform bacteria usually suggest contamination from a surface or shallow subsurface source such as cesspool leakage, barnyard runoff or other source.

Cysts and viruses are microbiological contaminants usually found in surface water supplies. They can cause gastrointestinal diseases. Nitrate and iron are other contaminants present in drinking water. Lead can leach from older sweat joints in copper pipes. As water sits in the pipes, small amounts of lead dissolve into the water, contaminating it. Lead is particularly harmful to small children because they rapidly absorb it into their systems.

Fortunately, water purification technology, in the form of a simple filter, or an elaborate water purification system can take care of most of the health problems that might be present in water.

In fact, there is a number of filtering systems designed to eliminate specific water problems. A product called manganese greensand, for example, is formulated to remove iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide from your water.

Activated carbon is used in water treatment applications where foul taste, odor and unusual color are problems. Calcite is used to neutralize acidic or low pH water.

It's important to note that many of the filtering elements described can be used in conjunction with a water conditioning system.

Of course, some water problems are beyond the reach of common consumer products like conditioners and filters. It's possible for example, that your water supply or perhaps the water supply of an entire area has become polluted to the point where outside authorities must become involved, or a well may have to be abandoned and a new one drilled. In most cases however, there is a solution available. If you have any questions, call a qualified water treatment specialist at Eshenaurs today. We'll take samples of your water, have it tested, make recommendations based on results, and provide expert installation of the proper water treatment device.

Call Eshenaurs at 236-5031 today.