Water Contaminants
Common water problems we deal with:
Hardness - Interferes with cleaning tasks from laundering and dishwashing to bathing and personal grooming. Clothes laundered in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted when dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, etc. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. These deposits also collect in household plumbing lines, water heaters and appliances, causing them to run less efficiently.
Iron - Not considered hazardous to health, but when the level of iron in water exceeds the DNR 0.3 mg/l limit, we experience red, brown, or yellow staining of laundry, glassware, dishes and household. The water may also have a metallic taste and an offensive odor. Water system piping and fixtures can also become restricted or clogged.
Manganese - A metal found in rock, and does not occur naturally in pure form. Manganese will cause black staining and many times is accompanied by iron and hydrogen sulfide. Evidence of manganese staining is most prominently found in the dishwasher.
Hydrogen Sulfide - A gas dissolved in water. It is easily detected by its rotten egg odor. It is objectionable in any amount and at high levels can be very corrosive.
Acidic Water - Acidic water can be corrosive to your entire plumbing system, and can leave blue/green stains on fixtures throughout your home. If left untreated this condition can cause leaks in your plumbing.
Sediment - Sediment is particles in your water that are not dissolved. It can give your water a hazy or murky appearance. Special problems occur when the sediment particles are extremely small.
Tannins - Tannins are compounds which come from decayed plant material. Tannins give water a yellow to brown tint Sometimes water with tannins also has an objectionable odor.
Fluoride - Found naturally in water. Certain areas have fluoride levels high enough to be considered a health hazard.
Uranium - In certain areas may be found in high enough levels to be considered a health hazard.
Nitrates - Elevated levels can be an indication of contamination by farm chemicals, lawn fertilizers, or septic saturation. Nitrates can pose a serious health risk to infants.
Lead - Houses built before 1985 may contain lead pipes or lead-based solder. Lead can cause serious health problems in young children.
Arsenic - This toxic element is found naturally in soil and bedrock, but occurs in particularly high levels in Northeast Wisconsin. Ingestion can lead to serious health problems.
Chlorides - Salt-water wells are much more common in the U.P. than one would think. These wells are high in sodium, chlorides, and hardness minerals.
Coliform Bacteria - A natural part of the microbiology of soils, insects, and warm blooded animals, coliform bacteria is the primary indicator for the presence of disease-causing organisms in water.
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