Water Quality
Non-Health Issues
SECONDARY MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT
LEVEL
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels are
non-health related contaminants concentration limits for
nuisance
contaminants and physical problems. These standards are
useful as guidelines, but are not enforced by regulatory
agencies. ESS laboratories can test all the Secondary Maximum
Contaminants.
ALKALINITY
Alkalinity represents the sum total of the bases in the water,
and thus is the acid-neutralizing capacity of the water.
It is due largely to the presence of calcium, magnesium
and sodium carbonates and bicarbonates. Most natural drinking
water has an alkalinity in the range of 10-500 mg/l. Alkalinity
testing is used in combination with other tests for sizing
the proper equipment.
HARDNESS
Hardness is essentially a measure of the calcium and magnesium
in water. Hard water is not a health risk; however, it
keeps soap from lathering, decreases cleaning action of
soaps and detergents, leaves soap “scum” on
plumbing fixtures, and leaves scale deposits on water pipes
and hot water heaters, possibly shortening the life of
the heater. Softening treatment is recommended for very
hard water (above 180 mg/l). Water with hardness of about
80 mg/l or less does not need softening. Water hardness
may also be reported in units of grains per gallon, or
gpg (1 gpg = 17.1 mg/l hardness).
IRON
Iron in water generally does not present a health risk. However,
it can be objectionable if present in amounts greater than
0.3 mg/l. Excessive iron can leave brown-orange stains
on plumbing fixtures and laundry. It may discolor the water
and beverages made with the water, and give them a bitter
metallic taste.
MANGANESE
The presence of manganese in amounts greater than 0.05 mg/l
may give water a bitter taste and produce black stains
on laundry, cooking utensils, and plumbing fixtures. It
generally does not present a health risk.
pH
The pH of water indicates whether it is acidic or basic (alkaline).
Acidic water can corrode pipes and may dissolve toxic metals
such as copper and lead from the plumbing system, allowing
them to enter the water. Water with a pH below 6.5 is acidic
enough to consider treatment. Alkaline water with a pH
above 8.5 is seldom found naturally, and may indicate contamination
by alkaline industrial wastes. The EPA suggests a range
of 6.8 to 7.2 for pH of drinking water. Outside levels
of pH may cause greenish-blue staining.
SULFIDE
Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that can be problematic in groundwater,
resulting in the characteristic “rotten egg” odor.
The gas is commonly generated by the action of bacteria in
the decay of organic matter, but its presence does not necessarily
indicate bacterial contamination of the water. Water containing
this gas may also corrode iron and other metals in the water
system, or stain plumbing fixtures and cooking utensils.
It can be difficult to quantify the level of hydrogen sulfide
in water due to its escape as a gas.
TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)
TDS represents the sum total of all of the substances that
are in solution in the water. High concentrations of dissolved
solids may cause adverse taste in water and may deteriorate
household plumbing and appliances. The EPA has set a secondary
maximum contaminant level of 500 mg/l for this parameter.
_______________________________________
Actual equipment
recommended is based on overall water test results.
Please contact us (info@countrywatersystems.com or
540-825-2781) with any questions regarding which equipment
may be right for your water problem.
GLOSSARY
EPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
mg/1: Concentration unit of milligrams per
liter of water, equivalent to parts per million (ppm)
µg/l: Concentration unit of micrograms
per liter of water, equivalent to parts per billion (ppb)
