Water Treatment
Common Water Complaints
Our water is a problem, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are the most common problems our water treatment specialists hear. If you find your water problem on this list or have other concerns about your water, contact us today to discuss the best solution for your home and family.
My water tastes like a swimming pool!
Our water municipalities use chlorine and chloramines to kill bacteria and viruses as well as to neutralize organic matter in our potable water. However, that leaves us with water that tastes and smells like a swimming pool. Chlorine not only smells bad, but it dries out your skin, hair and nails. Chlorine can be filtered out of your water through some water softeners and through a process called reverse osmosis.
Why is my water cloudy?
As water comes into your home, it can have a number of impurities, dissolved solids (heavy metals, fluorides, nitrates, etc.) and turbidities (clay, silt, etc.), bacteria and chemicals. These microscopic particles join, causing the water to appear cloudy. Cloudy water increases the risk of bacteria and viruses to grow, leaving your drinking water at risk. You can improve your water with water softeners, water conditioners, reverse osmosis and UV light treatments.
What is this white, crusty buildup on my faucets and shower heads?
The white “crust” you see is called scale. Calcium and magnesium in the water combine to form a white, crusty buildup. The evidence of these elements can be found outside on your hose bibs and inside on your shower doors, dishes, glassware, and faucets.
What is that rotten egg smell?
Water that tastes or smells like rotten eggs can be the result of hydrogen sulfide or a buildup of various bacteria in the system. Hydrogen sulfide is the result of the decay of organic material that has made its way into the drinking water. Hydrogen sulfide isn’t considered dangerous by water municipalities, but can corrode plumbing over time. Reverse osmosis and whole home water filtration will address both bacteria and hydrogen sulfide.
Why Does Our Water Taste Salty?
Chloride (salts) occur naturally in water, dissolving as it moves through our water sources. High concentrations of chlorides can cause a salty taste and will increase corrosion of plumbing and appliances. For those on sodium-restricted diets, the removal of natural salts in the water is paramount. Reverse osmosis and whole home water filtration can effectively remove salt from your potable water.
Why does my water have a metallic taste?
Water that has a metallic taste could have higher than normal amounts of iron, zinc and manganese. It is important to consult a water, treatment professional to properly measure and evaluate the presence and levels of these contaminants for proper removal. Zinc is usually present as the result of the corrosion of galvanized plumbing; iron and manganese are natural elements. As a result, water has the tang of a metallic taste. Water that contains these elements will:
- Stain your appliances, laundry and plumbing fixtures
- Build-up in your water heater, which can require more than the recommended annual maintenance
You can reduce the amount of iron and manganese with water softeners; reverse osmosis will reduce zinc, and whole home water filtration will effectively reduce all three elements
My Drinking Water Tastes Bitter Or Medicinal…
There are generally two culprits for water that tastes bitter or medicinal: copper or high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS). Higher levels of copper can cause stomach ailments, turn your hair a greenish tint and can be toxic to aquarium fish. High levels of copper in the water generally come from the corrosion of copper pipes.
In Arizona, we commonly see high TDS levels, which can be another reason for medicinal tasting water. Total dissolved solids – dissolved minerals – will taste medicinal if they are mainly comprised of sulfates such as Epsom salts. Cumbersome and poor tasting, they generally do nothing more than to act as a laxative to people unaccustomed to drinking the water.
You can remove TDS and copper from your water through reverse osmosis or whole home water filtration.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water doesn’t have to do with how the water feels, but with the mineral content of the water itself. Water becomes hard when it has a higher than normal concentration of minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Water is classified as hard water by the US Geological Survey when it reaches 7 grains of hardness; the water in Phoenix consistently tests at 15 grains of hardness!
How It Works
How Do Water Softeners Work?
Incoming water carries positive calcium and magnesium ions. As the water enters the tank, it passes over a negatively charged resin. The positive ions stick to the negative charge, thus removing the calcium and magnesium. The water is passed through a screen, and then into the plumbing of the home, free of calcium and magnesium.
After a period of time, the resin becomes coated in calcium and magnesium ions and must be cleaned. The only way to clean the resin is to give the ions something else to stick to. During the cleaning cycle, a salt or potassium solution is passed over the resin. Salt and potassium have a higher negative ionic charge than the resin, so as the solution is passed over it, the calcium and magnesium ions will attach to the solution, which is then carried away into the drain lines to be processed at your local water treatment facility.
How Do Water Conditioners Work?
A water conditioner changes the molecular structure of the incoming water. Rather than using a resin to attract the molecules from calcium and magnesium, the water is passed over a granulated carbon. The introduction of carbon is the first of two steps in the process, and will help to reduce chlorine, poor taste and smells, color and organics from the water. After the water passes through carbon, it will be passed through an anti-scale media that changes the molecular structure of calcium and magnesium. The molecules are changed into nano-crystals, which are more stable than a regular calcium or magnesium ion. Because the molecules are stable, they will not attach to plumbing and appliances, and are so small they simply wash down the drain.
Incoming water is run through a series of sediment filters to remove dirt, silt and sand. Water then runs through a carbon filter to remove chlorine and improve the taste and odor. Water is then passed through a semi-permeable membrane, which removes up to 99% of the remaining toxins.
Purified water is then stored in a pressurized tank for use on demand. No longer do you have to impurities, toxins or chlorine in your drinking water!
How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Incoming water is run through a series of sediment filters to remove dirt, silt and sand. Water then runs through a carbon filter to remove chlorine and improve the taste and odor. Water is then passed through a semi-permeable membrane, which removes up to 99% of the remaining toxins.
Purified water is then stored in a pressurized tank for use on demand. No longer do you have to impurities, toxins or chlorine in your drinking water!