Water Quality
We know that man-made chemicals, the majority of which were introduced
into society after World War II, have been poisoning our surface drinking
water supplies for years. Over the decades they have filtered down and
contaminated our vital underground drinking sources as well.
Some experts believe the toxins in our drinking water are the number one
health threat causing cancer, heart disease and lead poisoning. Such chronic
illnesses are brought on by the body's absorption. Water contaminants
not only affect our health, but they can also corrode fixtures, stain
and deteriorate clothing and household surfaces, alter the taste of food
and drinking water, and slowly turn hair orange.
Chlorine
Total Chlorine consists of both free chlorine and combined (already reacted) chlorine. Free chlorine affects the taste and odor of you water and may irritate your skin and eyes. Chlorinating water is necessary for disinfecting and is used to disinfect water in both private and Public Water Systems. However, during the disinfection process, excessive amounts of chlorine may react with decaying organic matter to form by-products known as trihalomethanes, which can cause cancer.
Copper
Copper, is a metal which is commonly found in drinking water. Small amounts are generally not a problem. However, copper levels above 1ppm can cause jaundice, pancreatitis, poisoning of the red blood cells, gastrointestinal problems and anemia. The presence of copper also affects water's taste and may stain your porcelain toilets and sinks.
Iron
Iron is a mineral found in the ground that leaches into drinking water. Although a certain amount of iron is essential to good health, iron levels above .3 ppm cause water to taste bitter, stain and discolor our laundry, fixtures and hair. It is listed under the secondary standards for water.
Lead
One way lead contamination from tap water can occur is because of the presence of lead-containing materials in the plumbing system. Lead contaminated tap water may pose a serious health threat. According to the U.S. EPA approximately 20% of public water systems, serving 32 million people, were found to have lead levels exceeding the EPA's safety standard of 15 ppb (parts per billion).
Iron Nitrate/Nitrite
Nitrate/Nitrite is a chemical that seeps our drinking water from fertilizer, sewage, feed lots and other geological elements. Nitrate over 10 ppm reduces the amount of oxygen available to the fetus in pregnant women causing "Blue Baby Syndrome" (methemoglobulinemia). It is also considered an immediate threat to children 6 months to 1 year old, and is a major health threat to adults.
Iron Water Acidity (pH)
A desirable reading is between 7 and 7.5. pH is a measure of the acidic
or basic character of water. Results below 7 indicate acidity and one
above 7 indicates alkalinity.
Water with low pH can be corrosive to plumbing fixtures, hot water systems,
and leave red stains on galvanized pipe, blue-green stains on copper,
and may also release harmful amounts of lead into your water from solder
joints and pipes.
Total Alkalinity is the ability of water to resist change in pH. A low
total alkalinity may cause your water to appear cloudy and contribute
to scaling. When the total alkalinity is too high the pH tends to be high
as well.
Iron Water Hardness
Water hardness is a measure of calcium and magnesium in water, neither
of which are potential health risks in and of themselves. But hard water
above 125 ppm tends to form scales inside pipes that, over time, can actually
help to form a barrier from a dangerous lead contaminating drinking water
from surrounding lead pipes. However, too much hard water buildup can
clog pipes and heaters making cleaning operations much more difficult.
Low water hardness of less than 54 ppm can be corrosive to plumbing and
should only be considered a problem if you have lead soldered pipes