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Tannins
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Tea coloring formed during the decomposition of vegetation. pH more than 6.0 – anion exchange. pH less than 5.0 – activated carbon filter
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Staining
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Water softener (cationic ion exchange) or iron/manganese filtration
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Odor: grassy or musty, chlorine, rotten egg or hydrogen sulfide –
smell dissipates after 15 to 30 seconds.
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Activated carbon filtration
Oxidizing filter
Chlorination or aeration followed by filtration
Manganese greensand, chlorination, aeration
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Odor: chemical
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Stop chemical seepage, use activated carbon.
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pH
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High or low pH can affect the efficiency of water treatment systems. Neutralizer filter
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Coliform
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Shock chlorination followed by repeated testing should be done to determine if this is a one-time event from surface water contamination or if aquifers have been polluted. Ultraviolet disinfection may be used on a more permanent basis; however, sourcing the contamination needs to be a priority. Fecal coliform and E. coli, while not pathogens, are indicators of disease-causing microbes and water should not be used for drinking. Boiling water will kill coliform.
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Turbidity
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No health effects. Can be addressed by removing the following: soil erosion, waste discharge, urban runoff; eroding stream banks; large numbers of bottom feeders (such as carp), which stir up bottom sediments; and excessive algal growth.
Activated carbon filtration
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Chloride
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Salty taste and with high levels, a laxative effect. Reverse osmosis, distillation
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Fluoride
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Added to municipal water. Children under 9 should not drink water that has more than 2 mg/L of fluoride. Reverse osmosis, activated alumina or distillation
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Nitrate, Nitrites, Nitrate (as N)
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High nitrate may cause methemoglobinema (blue baby) in infants who drink water or formula made from water with high levels. Health concerns with long-term use for adults. Reverse osmosis, distillation
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Arsenic
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A known carcinogen and associated with many health risks. Treatment is dependent on level of contamination. Chlorinate to change from A3 to A5 form, remove with filtration, distillation, reverse osmosis (A3 removal), alumina, anion exchange
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Alkalinity
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Generally associated with high pH values, hardness and excess dissolved solids.
Reverse osmosis or tank media
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Copper
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Gastrointestinal distress to liver or kidney damage, depending on exposure time. Corrosion control including the addition of Poly 4 in crystal form to coat the pipes within your home. Distillation, reverse osmosis
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Hardness
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Water softener (cation exchange)
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Iron Ferrous (clear and colorless when drawn)
Ferric (ferrous water when exposed to air converts to reddish brown)
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Metallic taste. Rust stains in toilets, plumbing fixtures, tableware and laundry.
Water softener or oxidizing filter system
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Iron bacteria (red, orange,
yellow water)
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Slime on well screens, pipes and plumbing fixtures. Smells of fuel oil, cucumber or sewage. Shock chlorination
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Manganese (black)
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Reddish-brown water, staining of plumbing fixtures and laundry. Off-taste and odor. Reverse osmosis or chlorination followed by oxidizing filter
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Lead
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The pipes in your home are the likely source of high lead levels. Use only thoroughly flushed water from the cold tap for consumption. Reverse osmosis, distillation
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Sodium
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Use potassium pellets instead of sodium softener pellets. Restrict drinking water from this source. Reverse osmosis, distillation
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Sulfates
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May have a laxative effect on people unaccustomed to the water. Reverse osmosis, distillation, anion exchange
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Total Dissolved Salts (TDS)
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Adverse taste. Deteriorates plumbing and appliances. Reverse osmosis, distillation
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