Symptoms

The symptoms you experience in your water are the reason you are looking at this screen right now. If the water you use were completely satisfactory, you wouldn't need The Water Mechanic. In this section, we briefly describe symptoms for common water problems and their possible causes. We have also provided links to the appropriate methods of treatment for each symptom. This is not meant to be a comprehensive or technical discussion of water problem symptoms, and is certainly no substitute for a basic water analysis. If you're experiencing one or more of these symptoms in your water use experience, we invite you to contact The Water Mechanic to arrange for a basic water analysis.

    Blue/Green Stains

These stains are generally indicative of water in the acidic pH range coming in contact with copper or brass plumbing components. These stains are actually small deposits of brass and/or copper leached from plumbing materials, fittings, and fixtures. It should also be noted that all brass contains lead. These stains are troublesome to remove. More seriously, if left uncorrected this water condition will damage plumbing components to the point where they leak and have to be replaced. A common method of treatment for this problem is the utilization of acid neutralizers

    Red/Yellow Stains

These stains are generally indicative of water which contains iron in a concentration of .3 parts per million (or milligrams per liter) or greater. The higher the concentration of iron, the faster the staining and the more difficult the stains are to remove. Iron will also cause buildup in water pipes decreasing flow and pump efficiency.   A common method of treatment for this problem is the use of water softeners and/or  granular activated carbon filtration systems

    White/Beige Stains and Scale

These symptoms are indicative of hard water. Water containing as little as 1 grain per gallon (17.1 parts per million) hardness will leave hardness stains. Water containing 2 or 3 grains is considered moderately hard. Water containing 4 to 7 grains is considered very hard. Water containing 8 or more grains per gallon hardness is considered extremely hard. Hardness minerals in water react with cleaners and soaps to form the unsightly buildup known as soap scum. Both hardness and iron in water decrease the efficiencies of water using appliances as well as shortening the appliance service life.   A common method of treatment for this problem is the use of water softeners

    Odors

Odors may be caused by various gases present as a result of the particular water's chemistry, organic matter, and/or bacterial contamination. To be detected by the human sense of smell, an odor must be in the form of a gas. This makes specifically identifying the cause of the odor more challenging. For instance, the presence of a rotten egg odor may be due to the mineral sulfur in the rock well shaft or it may be due to the presence of a sulfur reducing bacteria present in the water. The smell is the same but because the root cause is different, the appropriate means of treatment is different. A common method of treatment for this problem is a granular activated carbon filtration system.  This condition may also warrant a well inspection by a certified well driller. See our Water Well Service and Repairs section of our Services  web page.

    Tastes

Pure water has no taste. It just tastes good. Some people appreciate the tastes which mild concentrations of iron and/or hardness imparts to water. Others may find the same water unacceptable. There is no accounting for taste. However, sometimes taste is an indication that something is wrong with the water or that it contains something we should not be ingesting. Water with a metallic taste often contains copper or iron. Water containing either of these metals may also contain lead, which we cannot taste. The maximum contaminant level for copper set by USEPA is 1.0 milligrams per liter (or 1 part per million). The maximum contaminant level for lead is 0.015 milligrams per liter (or 15 parts per billion). Tastes may be caused by one or more of the thousands of contaminants which may be present in the water. However, many contaminants are tasteless even at rates far exceeding the maximum contaminant levels.  A common method of treatment for this problem is a reverse osmosis purification systems

    Color

Water should be clear. A sample of water in a white cup will help to determine if a water possesses any color, which is also sometimes referred to as turbidity. Color may be caused by copper or iron concentrations. Color may also be an indication that well water is contaminated with surface water. When surface water contaminates a well water supply, bacterial contamination is almost a certainty. This condition warrants a well inspection by a certified well driller. See our Water Well Service and Repairs section of our Services  web page.

    Excessive Chlorine

This is a symptom found primarily in municipal water supplies. Over the years, our testing has shown that chlorine levels in municipal water supplies in the area are usually in excess of the level recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. We often find chlorine levels 5 to 10 times the E.P.A. recommendation. Chlorine is a very effective disinfectant. Given the proper concentration and contact time, it will kill most microbes. However, after it has done its job, the after effects of chlorination are less than pleasant. When chlorine comes in contact with organic matter in water trihalomethanes are formed. Some trihalomethanes have been shown to be carcinogenic. Residual chlorine (chlorine which remains after the disinfection activity is done) leaves a taste and odor which most people find unpleasant. Chlorine content in water is the #1 reason people drink bottled water. Once municipal water reaches the home, its disinfection job is done. Removal of chlorine from water can be accomplished on a point of entry basis with a granular activated carbon filtration system. If the client wishes to treat only the drinking, cooking, and ice-making water, a reverse osmosis purification system can be installed in the kitchen with a sculptured faucet for cooking uses and a product water connection to the refrigerator for ice-making drinking purposes.