Most people don’t know what a blessing clean water is. But the question is, is it really clean if it looks clean? There may be several reasons that you’re worried about your tap water. Maybe you just moved into a new place or for some time now, you’ve been noticing a change in taste or odor of your house water. When a problem arises, ruling out the common causes is the best way to go about it. So, here are the 3 most common problems your tap water may have, and while we’re at it, let’s talk about remedies too!
Table of Contents
1. Lead Contamination
Lead contamination is one of the most commonly found issues in tap water, especially in older homes. Did you know that the word plumbing itself is derived from ‘plumbum’ which is Latin for lead? The material is so commonly used in plumbing that most pipes in older homes are sealed with the use of lead solder. With time, it may start dissolving with the water that passes through. The dangerous part is, it isn’t easily detected because of its odorless, tasteless, and colorless properties.
If you have a reason to suspect lead contamination or just live in an old house, getting your water tested is a good idea. If the results are positive for this, you should invest in water filters that target lead filtration. This link, https://waterfilterguru.com/best-water-filter-for-lead/ has a few recommendations that will take care of lead problems in your house water.
2. Sediment
If you’re noticing rust, dirt, sand particles, rocks, and minerals in the water – they are referred to as sediment and turbidity. Oftentimes these are found in water that’s drawn from lakes, ponds, or rivers. The remedy for this is investing in a sediment filter. The good news is that it’s readily available and you’d be able to get your hands on it at the closest plumbing store. If you’re noticing a lot of sand particles, a slow-sand filter is a good option to consider.
3. Water Hardness
If your water has high levels of magnesium and calcium present, it’ll cause water hardness. These two minerals are usually found in water that’s supplied from natural resources. If it’s not filtered before use, hard water may cause permanent damage or lower efficiency of pipes because limescale builds up in them. To remedy this, turn to water softeners. The softening procedure work by ‘ion exchange’ where the water flows through a device filled with a sodium solution and as the water passes it, magnesium and calcium are replaced with sodium.
Take Away
Sadly, your faucet water may have problems even if it seems clear and tasteless. Having your water tested after regular intervals is a cautious approach since lots of contaminations may not come with signs. Even if your local district has a good process in place that gives you access to chemically treated water, taking steps to ensure the water that’s in your daily use is 100% safe will give you peace of mind.
