| Observation or General Effect |
Probable Cause |
Possible Solution |
| Suspended material in the water,
excessive wear on valve seats, seals, bearing, or other
plumbing parts. |
Sand, clay, slit, or dirt |
Remove larger particles by backwashing
filters and smaller particles with 1 to 5 micron cartridge
filters. |
| Water is colored, has an off or bad
taste, stains fixtures or has a musty odor |
Chlorine, iron, organic material,
hydrogen sulfide, or humates |
These can be complex problems but
generally, chlorination or aeration followed by a 1 to 5
micro filter and an activated carbon filter improves
quality. |
| Rotten egg odor |
Hydrogen sulfide |
Remove by using an oxidizing filter
followed by an activated carbon filter |
| Grey to white mineral deposits on or
around faucets, shower heads and at the water line in toilet
bowls. Hot water heater makes noise, slow recovery,
electric heating elements have to be replaced frequently
Aeration screens on faucets clog with gray to white mineral
or scale deposits. |
The insoluble salts of calcium and
magnesium (hardness) |
Installation of a water softener. |
| Suspended rust colored particles, can
also cause red to black deposits on fixtures and appliances. |
Iron and Manganese |
Remove by filtration. |
| Dark to black spots on clothes, usually
most noticeable on laundry, where chlorine bleach is used |
Iron and Manganese |
Low levels of soluble iron and be removed
by a water softener; higher levels require the use of an
oxidizing filter. |
| Light green or blue green deposits around
faucets or on fixtures. |
Copper |
Check for the direct connection of
galvanized iron pipe to copper pipe without the use of
dielectric unions. Check for electrical faults in
appliances ground to the plumbing system. |
| Coliform bacteria contamination.
Indicates the presence of potential disease producing
organisms. Large numbers of non-coliform bacteria may
cause taste and odor problems. These can be determined
by requesting a Heterotrophic Plate Count. |
Shock
Chlorinate well and distribution system |
If follow up coliform analyses are still
positive, install a continuous chlorination or ultraviolet
disinfection system. |
| High dissolved solids |
Dissolved minerals |
Remove with Reverse Osmosis or
Distillation |
| Heavy Metals |
Lead, cadmium, selenium, arsenic, copper,
etc. |
Remove with Reverse Osmosis |
| High nitrates as N (>10 mg/L) |
Septic systems, fertilizer, feedlot
runoff or natural minerals. |
Remove with Reverse Osmosis |
| High Fluoride (>4 mg/L) |
Natural minerals |
Remove with Reverse Osmosis |
| Organic chemicals |
Industrial contamination or chlorination
of water. |
Most can be removed with an activated
carbon filter. |
