Water Quality FAQs That Our Clients Often Ask Us
When It Comes To Water Quality, Most People Have The Same Concerns
Whether it be your family, employees, or clients you want to make sure your are supplying safe and quality water. Just by tasting and looking at it doesn’t always indicate something isn’t right with your water. We get a lot of concerned clients who as questions about their water quality. Here are some of the most popular water quality questions we receive. Hopefully this helps bring ease of mind to your concerns. If not, reach out and we will book a FREE water test at your location and convenience.
What is hard water?
Hardness in water is caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium. High levels of these compounds cause scale build-up in water pipes and hot water heaters. Hard water also produces a soap scum and consumes more soap when bathing and doing laundry. The water is softened to improve the quality for the customer. You will notice white spots on shower doors or if you wash a dark car without wiping. The main problem in New Brunswick are the calcium levels.
Why should I have a free water test done at home?
To save money, get professional results, and no need to leave your home. A professional water test of your water supply by a qualified person on location will remove any guesswork. This also prevents spending a lot of money in the wrong place and ruin your equipment. Premium Water Services performs a full system mineral water test and shares the results with you immediately. If needed, we will recommend a full lab water test.
How does reverse osmosis work?
Reverse Osmosis, also known as RO, works by passing water through a semipermeable membrane that separates the pure water into one stream and the salt water into another stream. The process is called “Reverse Osmosis” because it requires pressure to force pure water across a membrane, leaving the impurities behind. Also, it removes chlorine, fluoride, pesticides, volatile chemicals and other contaminants from your water.
What are total coliforms?
Total coliforms are usually harmless bacteria that are naturally present in the environment. Because total coliforms and more harmful bacteria can exist in the same environment, the presence of total coliforms is used as an indicator that potentially harmful bacterial may also be present.
What is E. coli bacteria?
Escherichia coli (E. coli), is a type of fecal coliform bacteria, commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. The presence of E. coli in water is a good indication that sewage or animal fecal materials have contaminated the water supply and suggest an increased likelihood of harmful pathogens in the water. Learn more about it here.
Do I need a UV light?
RCR Premium Water Systems believes everyone on well water supply should have a UV light. You can view this as a safety measure for your water and health. You may, or may not, have bacteria present. However, if they do appear you are protected with a UV light. Open wells, or artesian and dug wells, need UV protection.
What is pH in water?
The pH is the unit of measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a water based solution. The pH levels have a scale of 0 to 14. The ideal pH level of drinking water is usually between 6 and 8.5, while typical rainwater is usually 5.6.
What is water turbidity?
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water, and is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the water filtration system. Dissolved air bubbles, created from the pressure of the water system, may also create a temporary cloudy appearance to tap water until the trapped air bubbles dissipate. This can leave a yellowish line in the bathtub after you empty the bath.
Why does water smell bad?
Major cause for smell in hot water in N-B is Manganese. This is a large black mineral that sticks to the tank of toilet or in hot water tank. It festers and amplifies the smell because of hot environment. It is more like a boggy smell and can stain cloths a shade of grey. You can detect it by a water test, odour in hot water only or black in toilet tank.
Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) gives water a “rotten egg” taste or odor. H2S can occur naturally in groundwater; can be produced by sulfur bacteria in groundwater, wells, or in water distribution systems; can be produced by sulfur bacteria or chemical reactions inside water heaters. While sulfur bacteria is not harmful, high levels of H2S can be hazardous. It may also cause black stains on silverware and plumbing fixtures, and may corrode pipes.
Why is water reddish brown?
Reddish brown colour in water, or severe staining, is usually a symptom of Ferric iron or red water iron. This is regular iron that has somehow come in contact with oxygen and has oxidized to a solid form thus red colour.
Why do toilet bowls stain?
The culprit in most cases is ferrous iron or clear water iron. This is iron that only oxidizes when in contact with oxygen or ambient air in home. It can also be seen in dishwashers or clothes washers as red staining.
Why is my water a yellowish?
Tannins are usually to blame for yellowish water. When this happens it is hard to identify without a Tannin test which will confirm diagnosis. This is water that passes through organic matter and soaks up the juices.
Why does the toilet tank have slime?
This is a result of some kind of bacteria that is feeding on something in your water. It can be caused by iron bacteria, sulfur bacteria, or something associated with organics in the water. This is a killer of water treatment equipment and must be controlled. You can shock your well with chlorine a few times and monitor results. In extreme cases you have to install a chlorination system.
How do I get the chlorine smell out of my city water?
There are a couple of options available for this problem. For your drinking water a point of use reverse osmosis under sink is best option. You can have bottle quality water at affordable price without plastic bottles. You can also cook with this water and make much better coffee or tea. You can also treat whole house with carbon filter.
How do I get hard metals out of my city water?
There are premium whole home filters designed to remove hard metals from old pipes in the distribution chain. Hard metals like copper and lead are not safe to consume. The water filters will ensure you are drinking and using water that is free of hard metals throughout the home.
Got A Water Quality Related Question or Concern?
Why wait to find out if you are drinking healthy water? Don’t stain another load of laundry! Get in touch by completing the form below. We will get back to you with a response as soon as possible! We also offer FREE Water Tests!