Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my water white?  Barring any cross connection that allowed white paint to enter your drinking water supply air is getting into your drinking water supply.  Usually, if you fill a glass and sit it down it will clear up in a few seconds.  

Why is my water brown? Brown water usually indicate that there is iron in your water supply.  If you get water from a water supplier such as a city or county there are limits that is set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) that is succeeded will require treatment. seconds.  

Is my water safe to drink?  Water can smell, look and taste bad and still be safe to drink.  I have a saying, “Just because it looks clean doesn’t mean that it’s clean”.  To answer this question, we must understand that there are two categories dealing with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): Primary MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) and Secondary MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level).  All you contaminants fall under one of these categories.  Primary MCL means that the water isn’t safe to drink and may result in sickness and/or death; while Secondary MCL means that the water doesn’t look, taste nor smell good but will not harm you, but there are limits set by EPA.

Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?  

a. If the water comes from a city or county this will mean that there’s no disinfection in the water resulting in stinky water.  Contact your water supplier to have them come out and check your water.  Minimum they should flush your area.  

b. If you have a well, you are responsible for your water.  There are chemicals such as chlorine and non-chemical systems that can remove the odor.  Consult a water professional to discuss options

a. A well or water system may become contaminated with harmful bacteria and other organisms when the well or plumbing is open to the environment during construction, repair or routine upkeep. A well may also become contaminated if the well casing is damaged, broken down over time, or if the well is flooded. Contamination problems can also be caused by improper plumbing connections between water treatment devices and wastewater piping, between the drinking water plumbing and heating/cooling system, or other cross connections.  

a. When a laboratory test of the water shows coliform bacteria are in the well. 

b. When the well has been flooded or near flood waters. 

c. After putting in or repairing plumbing pipes and fixtures (such as water softeners, faucets and filters). 

d. After well or pump repairs. 

e. When the well water tastes different than normal or has a musty odor. 

f. When restarting plumbing, wells or pumps cut off for a period of time or when a water system is drained or opened for some other reason.

g. How often should I have my water tested?

It’s recommended to have your water tested annually.

a. Bacteria (total coliform and E Coli)

b. Nitrite/Nitrate if need farms and where fertilizer is being applied to the ground.

c. Lead if iron, copper, or galvanized pipes are in your house

d. Calcium if you are concern with hardness (if high you will want to have a system installed to remove iron)

e. Iron if you don’t want your fixtures stained (if high you will want to have a system installed to remove iron)

f. The list can go on and on, but you will need to know the contaminants in your area.

Total coliforms include bacteria that are found in the soil, in water that has been influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste. Fecal coliforms are the group of the total coliforms that are considered to be present specifically in the gut and feces of warm-blooded animals.

Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.

Total coliform includes bacteria that are found in the soil, in waters that has been influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste.  Most of the time, these bacteria are not harmful; however, the laboratory are required to check for E. Coli.

a. What are some common causes of positive total coliform test results?

i. Wells that have be unused for a period of time may have contaminant flack off the pipes.

ii. Not following proper sample protocol.

iii. Breathing on the sampling bottle/bag.

iv. Unsterile sample bottle/bag

v. Insects nesting inside the sampling spigot

A confirmed positive test for E Coli means you need to take action immediately.  Well would need to be disinfected and retested.  If it fails again, then there’s something like a septic tank or something contaminating your water.

Most lending agencies will require that the well be test, but all that they tell you that it must be safe to drink.  A coliform test is mandatory by all agencies, but after that it’s all over the place.  If you can consult with the underwriter to see if they will tell you what needs to be tested you could save some money.  If they don’t know our general recommendations is to also test for nitrates and lead.  IB AT UR SERVICE UTILITY WILL be able to handle these tests for a reasonable price.  Other tests may be useful, depending upon the location, depth, and condition of your well.  

The right size softener is good at reducing hardness in the water, but you need to have the water test for iron also because the softener isn’t designed to remove a lot of iron.  Also, if your home has a lot of iron and copper pipes then removing the hardness can do more harm than good.  Why?  The hardness provides a barrier on the inside of your pipes that prevents corrosion and when the hardness is removed then the barrier is removed and corrosion starts.  It doesn’t happen overnight, but it will cost more than you realize. 

*If you have high blood pressure you can use potassium iodide instead of salt (word of caution: it turns everything purple and if overdosed could result in purple water)

Chlorine has been proven to be an excellent oxidizer for iron, bacteria, sulfur, etc…, but this system will require regular maintenance such as cleaning injection point, going to get chlorine, tubing replacement.  Most home owners would do best to hire someone to come out once a month to take care of the maintenance.

Yes, there are systems that using oxygen to oxidize these contaminants so these things are no problems unless the system stops working.