Common Water Problems and Solutions

White scale on pipes and fixtures. Soap scum in sinks and bathtub or yellow or whitish scum on flower pots. Hot water heaters and other appliances failing in less than their expected useful life. Frequent failure of hot water elements.

Possible Cause

Calcium (limestone) and magnesium salt (hard water).

Possible Effects

Excessive hardness causes scale build-up in pipes and damages water using equipment. This reduces the expected life span of water heaters, geysers, dishwashers, washing machines and other fixtures and appliances. Water that contains mineral salts (as calcium and magnesium ions) that limit the formation of lather with soap.

Means of Treatment

Water Softener / Ion Exchange (Exchange calcium and magnesium for sodium and potassium).

Rotten egg smell, tarnish silverware or black greasy stains.

Possible Cause

• Dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas.
• Iron.
• Sulfide Reducing Gas.

Possible Effects

Very poisonous, corrosive, flammable and explosive.

Means of Treatment

• Manganese green-sand filter constant chlorination followed by filtration or de-chlorination.
• Constant chlorination followed with a point of use activated carbon filter or whole house filtration.
• Aeration.

Rotten egg smell in hot water only.

Possible Cause

Hydrogen sulfide is generated by a chemical reaction with anti-corrosion magnesium rods. Also called a “anode rod in a water heater or geyser.

Possible Effects

Unpleasant smell.

Means of Treatment

Remove and omit rod with alternate metal rod. CAUTION: REMOVING THE ANODE ROD MAY AVOID THE HEATER WARRANTY!!

Abrasive texture to water when washing or residual left in sink.

Possible Cause

Water appears cloudy. Faucet screens clogs frequently. Excessively fine sand, silt in water. Muddiness created by stirring up sediment or having foreign particles suspended.

Possible Effects

Suspended solids may hamper disinfection efforts. Sand can trap contaminants that can lead to health risks.

Means of Treatment

Point of use sediment filter or whole house filtration system.

Chlorine smell in water.

Possible Cause

Excessive chlorination.

Possible Effects

Could occur from formation of disinfection by products.

Means of Treatment

De-chlorinate with point of use activated carbon filter or whole house filtration system.

Radon.

Possible Cause

Impossible to detect without appropriate laboratory test.

Possible Effects

Typically originates in deep wells that tap random contaminated ground water. Released into the air when water is turned on in showers, faucets, ect.

Means of Treatment

• Aeration.
• Carbon may be used at low level, not considered good for long term use.

Musty, earthy or wood smell.

Possible Cause

Generally, harmless organic matter.

Possible Effects

Aesthetic only.

Means of Treatment

Activated Carbon Filter and Reverse Osmosis.

Detergent smell, water foams when drawn.

Possible Cause

The slow escape of septic discharge into a water supply.

Possible Effects

Disease causing micro-organisms may be present.

Means of Treatment

• Locate and eliminate the source of seepage, then heavily chlorinate well.
• Point of use activated carbon filter or whole house filtration system will absorb limited amounts.

Alkali Taste.

Possible Cause

High dissolved mineral containing alkalinity.

Possible Effects

Stains aluminum cookware.

Means of Treatment

Reduced by Reverse Osmosis.

Taste and Odor.

Possible Cause

Fishy, musty, oily smell and taste.

Possible Effects

Volatile organic compounds. Some VOC’s are dangerous to human health or cause harm to the environment.

Means of Treatment

Whole House Filtration and Reverse Osmosis.

Salty or Brackish Water.

Possible Cause

Salty taste, heavy corrosion and salty build-up. High sodium content.

Possible Effects

Usually shows up in wells dug near marshy or coastal areas.

Means of Treatment

• Reverse Osmosis.
• De-ionize water with disposable mixed bed anion/cation resins.

Red/Brown stains in sink, bath dishwasher, washing machine, laundry.

Possible Cause

Iron. A naturally occurring mineral. Shows up in two forms: Dissolved ferrous and in solution or precipitated ferric particulate iron.

Possible Effects

Various effects.

Means of Treatment

Ion Exchange, Oxidation and Filtration.

Potassium permanganate chemical feed followed by filtration.

Reddish color in water sample after standing 24 hours.

Possible Cause

Colloidal iron.

Possible Effects

Various effects.

Means of Treatment

Constant chlorination followed by a point of use activated carbon media filter or whole house filtration system for de-chlorination.

Blackening and pitting of stainless steel.

Possible Cause

• Excessive salt content.
• High temperature drying creates high chloride concentration accelerating corrosion.

Possible Effects

Various effects.

Means of Treatment

• Use chloride resistant metals.
• Reduce total dissolved solids with Reverse Osmosis.

Green/Blue stains in dishwasher, washing machine and other plumbing fixtures.

Possible Cause

Corrosion. Low pH caused by excessive carbonic acid. PH is a measurement of the acid or alkaline content of water.

Possible Effects

Low pH can cause pinhole leaks in copper piping that requires replacing. Shortens the life for plumbing and geysers.

Means of Treatment

Aeration, Acid Neutralization, Corrosion Inhabitator.

Gray string-like fiber.

Possible Cause

Organic matter in raw water.

Possible Effects

Turbid water may contain disease causing micro-organisms.

Means of Treatment

Constant chlorination followed by a point of use activated carbon filter or whole house filtration system to de-chlorinate.

Yellowish cast to water after softening and/or filtering.

Possible Cause

Tannins (humic acids) in water from peaty soil and decaying vegetation.

Possible Effects

Various effects.

Means of Treatment

• Absorption via special macro-porous Type 1 anion exchange resin regenerated with salt (NaCI) up to 3ppm.
• Manganese greensand or manganese treated sodium alumino-silicate under proper set of conditions.

Cloudiness of water when drawn.

Possible Cause

• Some precipitant sludge created during water heating.
• High degree of air in water from poorly function pump.
• Excessive coagulant-feed being carried through filter.

Possible Effects

Various effects.

Means of Treatment

• Blow down domestic or commercial hot water heater tank periodically.
• Water will usually clear quickly upon standing.
• Reducing coagulant quantity being fed, service filters frequently.

Gasoline or oil smell in water.

Possible Cause

Leak in fuel, oil tank or gasoline tank seeping into water supply.

Possible Effects

Fuel components are toxic or carcinogenic.

Means of Treatment

Locate and eliminate the source of seepage. Contact specialist to assist with clean-up. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER.

Methane Gas.

Possible Cause

Naturally occurring caused by decaying organics.

Possible Effects

Methane gas are toxic and  it is extremely flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air.

Means of Treatment

Aeration and re-pump.

Phenol smell or chemical odor.

Possible Cause

Industrial waste seeping into surfaces or ground water supplies.

Possible Effects

Various – compounds may be carcinogenic.

Means of Treatment

Point of use activated carbon filter or whole house filtration system will absorb short-term.

Green slime inside pipes.

Possible Cause

Heterotrophic bacteria are non-coliform species of bacteria that utilize an organic substance for its development. The presence of heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water is not an indication that the water presents a health risk. High HPC counts indicate ideal conditions for bacterial regrowth and should be corrected

Possible Effects

• Increase the need for disinfectants.
• Cause foul tasting water.
• Harbour secondary respiration pathogens.
• Bacterial regrowth can lead to pipe corrosion.

Means of Treatment

• Ultraviolet Disinfection.
• Continuous Chlorination.
• Activated Carbon reduce heterotrophic bacteria.