Hardness

What is hard water?

Hard water contains an excessive amount of naturally occurring minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. Historically, this mineral-laden water was called "hard" because it was difficult to lather soap.

Syptoms of hard water:

Sticky curd forms when soap is added to water. Well-recognized ring appeares in bathtub. The harder the water the more soap is required to form suds. Glassware appears streaked and murky. Hard, scaly deposites form inside metal pipes. Your skin roughens from washing. Iron also contributes to hardness. (See next section on red water).

Red water (iron sometimes including manganese)

How does iron get into my water?

By a dissolving action of water as it passes through underground iron deposits, or contact with iron or steel sufaces. Iron bacteria is caused by living organisms (bacteria) that acts on iron already present in the water. It is often associated with corrosive conditions.

Symptoms that iron or iron bacteria is present:

Red stains appear on clothes and porcelain fixtures, even if as little as 0.3 ppm is present. Corrosion of steel pipes. Water has a metalic taste. Freshly drawn water appears clear at first, after exposure to air, rust particles form and settle to bottom of glass. Red slime develops in toilet tanks.

"Rotten egg" odor and flavor

What is it?

The odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. Hydrogen sulfide is a result of a process that involves three primary components: sulfur, electrons, and bacteria. Excess electrons and bacteria convert sulfur into hyrdrogen sulfide gas, or that repulsive odor that resembles rotten eggs.

Symptoms that sulfur may be present:

Rotten egg odor. Silverware turns black. If sulfur and iron are both present in water, finely-divided black particles may develop, which is commonly called "black water".

Acidity or low ph

What causes acidic or low ph water?

Acidic water contains carbon dioxide picked up from decaying matter. In rare instances, water may contain mineral acid such as sulfuric, nitric, or hydrochloric acids.

Syptoms that water may be acidic.

"Eats away" copper and steel plumbing parts on piping, tank, and fixtures. Water may leave green stains on plumbing and fixtures.

Turbidity

My water doesn't appear clear.

Water with a dirty or muddy appearance may contain silt, sediment, or organic matter.