WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS

The Water Cycle
To better understand how water quality problems occur, it is helpful to explain the way water continuously moves above and below the surface of the Earth. This process is called "The Water Cycle".

Although the balance of water on Earth remains fairly constant over time, individual water molecules can come in and out of the atmosphere, as water moves from the physical processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff and subsurface flow.

By transferring water from one reservoir to another, the water cycle purifies water, replenishes the land with freshwater and transports minerals to different parts of the planet.

Access to quality water is limited, and conditions will most likely get worse due to population growth, urbanization and increased industrial activity. The need to improve water quality is essential, regardless if you get your water from a municipal water treatment plant, community water system or private well.

COMMON WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS ARE DESCRIBED BELOW:

WATER HARDNESS: As water seeps through the ground during the "water cycle", it dissolves Calcium, Magnesium and other minerals. When water has high amounts of minerals, it's considered "hard". Hard water results in scale build-up in pipes and on plumbing fixtures, mineral stains and spotting on glassware, soap build-up on shower walls and doors, and requires additional amounts of soap, detergents and shampoo for them to be effective. Hard water can also become costly, due to scale formation in hot water heaters, dishwashers and coffee makers, adding to repair and replacement costs.

FOUL TASTES, MUSTY ODORS & HARMFUL DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS: Poor water quality from industrial chemicals, harmful bacteria from farm animals or improper septic systems and harmful by-products from water treatment chemicals are serious health concerns. In fact, according to a Gallop Poll, 59% of all Americans surveyed feel "the deterioration of water quality" is the "number one" environmental concern. Even the President's Council on Cancer suggests we filter our tap water!

ROTTEN EGG ODORS & IRON STAINS: Rotten egg odors are generally a sign your water contains Hydrogen Sulfide, which is often part of what water treatment professionals refer to as the "troublesome trio". If Hydrogen Sulfide, Iron and Manganese have you in "time out", a simple water test is necessary to indicate if this is the case and what concentrations you are dealing with.

TURBIDITY (CLOUDY WATER): Cloudy water is easily corrected; however, there are many factors that may contribute to this condition, and testing may be necessary.

BOTTLED WATER? If you think bottled water is the answer, think again. Bottled water is inconvenient, expensive and a serious environmental concern!