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.
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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)
