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How Can I Tell if My Water is Contaminated?

Gary Monks • August 12, 2022

Ways to Tell Your Water is Contaminated

As you may know, your drinking water can contain various chemicals, minerals, and other pollutants that can harm your health. While federal regulations determine if water is safe for drinking, many scientists find these regulations to be outdated and too lenient to make drinking water safe.

If you suspect your water is contaminated, you can rely on the team at Aqua Solutions to perform comprehensive water testing to ensure your water is safe. Signs your water may be contaminated include:

Sediment is present.

Drinking water typically comes from water tables, reservoirs, or wells in the ground. This means you can expect sediment in your water supply, but through filtering and water treatment, you shouldn't have sediment in your drinking water. If you see sediment in your water, it could indicate a break in the water main.

The water looks cloudy.

Do not drink cloudy water. Your drinking water should always be clear; if it is cloudy, it could mean that minerals are not being properly filtered out of the water, making it unsafe to drink.

Standing water has an oily film on top.

Take a look at the standing water in your toilet, sinks, and tub. If it has an oily film on top, there is likely oil or grease getting into your water supply. This could be due to poor filtration, a water main break, or poor water treatment.

The scent of chlorine is present.

When water goes through a treatment facility, a small amount of chlorine is added to kill bacteria. In some cases, during this treatment process, excessive amounts of chlorine can be added to the water supply, which can cause issues such as intestinal problems and other health problems.

You will typically smell the chlorine while you are bathing or running the faucet.

The scent of sulfur is present.

Sulfur naturally occurs in the ground and, in some cases, can get into your water supply. Low levels of sulfur will not harm you, but ingesting high levels of this substance can cause a variety of serious health problems.

If you smell a rotten egg-type smell when running the tap, then it is likely your water is contaminated with sulfur.

The water tastes metallic.

If your water is clean, it should lack any flavor. If you notice a bitter or metallic taste when drinking water, it may contain harmful substances such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, or medications that need to be removed.

Your silverware is rusting.

If your silverware is tarnished or rusted, this may mean your water has too much iron in it. When there is too much iron in the water, it can adhere to your silverware and oxidize or rust when your silverware is exposed to open air.

The water has a brown or orange color.

If your water is brown or orange in color, it typically means that there is an excessive amount of manganese or iron in the water. Typically, this is a result of mining or excavation near your water supply. This can also be caused by rusty pipes.

You should have your water tested before drinking it if it appears discolored.

Water Treatment Services in Butler

At Aqua Solutions, we offer a wide range of water treatment options to ensure your drinking water is clear and safe for consumption. With our water testing services, we can get to the root of your drinking water issues and make recommendations for solutions to resolve your issues, and provide you with clean and clear drinking water.

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Author: Gary Monks

Gary Monks has led Aqua Solutions since 1997, earning recognition as a water treatment expert with 25 years of experience. Renowned in Butler, he has won the Best Water Treatment award for three years and actively supports the community, including local sports and radio engagements.

How Water Quality Impacts the Taste of Your Food and Drinks

January 31, 2025

If you love hot drinks like tea or coffee or enjoy cooking, you're likely always looking to improve the quality and health of the daily foods and beverages you and your family consume. Why Water Filtration is Important for Your Home Water quality is crucial in many ways. High-quality water can elevate the tastes and textures of your favorite foods and beverages, making them safer and healthier for your family. By installing a water filtration system, you can: Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy The most important benefit of home water filtration installation is that it helps you achieve clean, contaminant-free water. Water filtration enables you to reduce your risk of waterborne illness, giving you peace of mind that your food and drinks are healthy and safe. Enhance The Taste of Food and Drinks In addition to increasing the safety of your food and drinks, high-quality water makes your favorite beverages and foods' natural flavors shine. Poor-quality water can introduce unwanted flavors, such as metallic tastes or chlorine, that can ruin the taste and quality of your foods and drinks. Impure water can also smell bad, making the aroma of food or drinks unpleasant. Additionally, water high in chemicals or impurities can make your taste buds less sensitive, reducing the flavor you experience in food and beverages. Get Better Cooking and Baking Results Water is an essential ingredient in many recipes. Higher-quality water can improve cooking and baking results. Water that is free from impurities and chemicals can help you achieve better texture and consistency, properly hydrate other ingredients, and achieve a better rise or fluffiness in your baked goods. How Water Filtration Works and Options for Your Home Water filtration removes contaminants, impurities, and unwanted elements from your water supply, ensuring that the water you and your family use is clean, safe, and better-tasting. Filtration systems achieve this through various processes, such as physical filtration to block particles, chemical treatment to neutralize harmful substances, and biological filtration to remove bacteria and microorganisms. The result is water that meets health standards and improves overall quality of life. When it comes to home water filtration, there are several options to suit your specific needs that we specialize in here at Aqua Solutions: UV Filtration Ultraviolet (UV) light filtration is a highly effective and chemical-free method for disinfecting drinking water. It exposes microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa to a germicidal wavelength of UV light. This exposure damages their DNA, rendering them inactive and unable to reproduce. UV filtration is an excellent solution for homeowners who want to ensure their water is free from harmful pathogens. It provides peace of mind and safer drinking water for your household. Reverse Osmosis Reverse osmosis (RO) is a powerful water filtration system that delivers exceptionally pure water by removing a wide range of contaminants. This system typically includes a small retaining tank, often installed in the basement, to store purified water for easy access. RO systems use a combination of sediment filters and advanced filter technologies, including carbon filters, to improve the taste and smell of water. These systems effectively eliminate heavy metals, pesticides, and dissolved solids, making them a top choice for homeowners seeking high-quality drinking water. Standard Filters Standard filters are a versatile and commonly used option for improving water quality. They come in two primary designs: cartridge devices and loose media tank-style systems. Sediment filters, a type of standard filter, are specifically designed to remove grit, particulates, and debris from the water. Additionally, standard filters can address unpleasant odors, discoloration, bad taste, and iron content. They provide a simple, affordable way to enhance your water's clarity and quality. Water Softeners Water softeners are designed to combat the challenges of hard water, which is caused by high levels of minerals like magnesium and calcium. These systems use a mineral tank filled with resonated media, such as resin or plastic beads, to filter out these hard particles. The media has a negative electrical charge, which attracts the positively charged minerals in the water. Water softeners are available in two main types: ion exchange systems, which replace hard minerals with sodium ions, and dual-tank systems, which feature two resin tanks for continuous operation. By softening the water, these systems prevent scale buildup, improve appliance efficiency, and enhance the feel of water for daily use. Ready to Enhance Your Home's Water? Call Aqua Solutions Today! Aqua Solutions is your top choice for home water filtration installation in Butler and beyond. Call today to learn which water filtration system works best for your home and get cleaner, healthier water!