Drinking Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
Each year we make available a short report that tells where your water comes from and what is in it. See below for the most recent report available, or call our office and we will gladly assist you.
Symptom or Clue | Cause | Contaminant | Federal Standard | Health Effects | Treatment Options |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turbidity (cloudiness) | -organic or suspended matter; defective well screen or inadequate public treatment | dirt, sand, clay, silt, organic matter (Turbidity) | 0.5 to 1 NTU (95% of samples) max of 5 NTU in some situations (2º MCL) | ---- | -ultra filtration -R-osmosis -distillation |
Blue-green stains on sink & porcelain fixtures | -corrosive water reacts with brass or copper pipes/fittings | Copper | 1.3 mg/l (action level) | ---- | -cat ion exchange -R-osmosis -distillation |
Brown-red water, stains & discolored clothing | -naturally occurring iron -iron bacteria -leached from old pipe |
Iron | 0.3 mg/l(2º MCL) | ---- | -cat ion exchange -distillation -chlorination -filtration |
Yellow Water | -water passing through peaty soil & vegetation -"yellow" iron in water |
Tannins, Humics, Lignins | 15 color units (2º MCL) | ---- | -activated carbon -anion exchange -R-osmosis -distillation -chlorination |
Black staining of fixtures and laundry | -naturally occurring usually found with iron | Manganese | 0.05 mg/l (2º MCL) | ---- | -cat ion exchange -distillation -chlorination -filtration |
Blackening & pitting of stainless steel sink | -excess salt concentration -road salting -improper treatment -brine backwash from water softener |
Chloride | 250 mg/l (2º MCL) | -problem for individuals with hypertension | -R-osmosis -anion exchange -distillation |
Milky water | excessive air or particles in water | particles, air | 0.5 to 1 NTU (95% of samples) max of 5 NTU in some situations (2º MCL) | ---- | -service filters -let water stand -clean hot water heater |
Musty, earthy smell | -algae -vegetation |
-organic matter (leaves, algae) |
---- | ---- | -activated carbon -see other sources |
Chlorine smell | -excessive chlorination or inadequate dechlorination | chlorine | ---- | ---- | -activated carbon -R-osmosis -contact lo |
Detergent smell (foamy water) |
Wastewater discharge into water supply | -foaming agents -dilute sewage |
0.5 mg/l (2º MCL) |
-risk of disease if bacteria present -harm to infants |
-eliminate source -chlorination |
Rotten egg smell | -sewage -sulfate reducing bacteria |
Hydrogen sulfide (gas) | Add 3 threshold odor number (2º MCL) | gastrointestinal | -activated carbon -aeration -oxidation |
Alkali taste | -high mineral content in private well and/or any water supply | Minerals | 500 mg/l total dissolved solids (2º MCL) | ---- | -R-osmosis -anion and cat ion exchange -distillation |
Metallic taste | -high mineral content (naturally occurring) | Iron, Manganese, Copper | Iron 0.3 mg/l Manganese 0.05 mg/l Copper 1.0 mg/l (2º MCL) | ---- | -cat ion exchange -R-osmosis -distillation -chlorination |
Salty, brackish taste | -road salting -salt water intrusion -naturally occurring in arid regions -water softener backwash |
sodium, chloride, sulfate, salts | sulfate 250 mg/l chloride 250 mg/l (2º MCL) | problems for individuals with hypertension | -distillation -R-osmosis |
Soap curd, scum, white deposits in pipes, kettle, water heater | elevated levels of calcium & magnesium salts | hard water | ---- | ---- | -cat ion exchange -water softener |
Grittiness, Abrasive | defective well screen or inadequate public treatment | fine sand, grit | ---- | ---- | -sand trap ultra filtration |