Ensuring the safety and quality of your drinking water is vital, no matter where you are located. At Standard Water Systems, we emphasize the importance of being informed about your water supply to detect potential problems before they impact your home or health. By recognizing the early signs of water quality issues, you can take proactive steps to address them, ensuring your water remains safe and healthy for consumption.

Signs Your Water May Need Attention

  • Taste Issues: Does your tap water have a peculiar taste or odor? Pure water should be clean and refreshing. Any deviation might indicate contamination.
  • Residual Buildup: Are there white rings or spots left behind after water dries? This is a classic indicator of hard water, which is high in dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.
  • Staining: Notice orange or other colored stains in sinks or toilets? This could be due to a high iron content, which not only affects aesthetics but can also damage fixtures over time.
  • Sulfur Odor: If your water smells like rotten eggs, it is likely contaminated with hydrogen sulfide, a gas that can be not only unpleasant but also potentially harmful if ingested in large amounts.
  • Chlorine Smell: A strong smell of chlorine, commonly used to disinfect public water supplies, can indicate an excessive level, which might irritate skin and mucous membranes and affect overall water taste.

Understanding Hard Water

Hard water is a common issue characterized by high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. While not harmful to health, it can cause a variety of nuisances and damages:

  • Scaling: Hard water can lead to scale buildup in pipes and on appliances, reducing efficiency and lifespan.
  • Soap Interaction: It reacts with soap to form a scum, which reduces soap’s cleaning efficiency and leaves behind a residue that can irritate skin.
  • Mineral Deposits: These can accumulate on dishes, fixtures, and textiles, making them harder to clean and reducing their aesthetic and functional quality.

Classification of Water Hardness

Water hardness is typically measured in grains per gallon (gpg) and classified as follows:

  • Soft Water: Less than 1.0 gpg
  • Slightly Hard: 1.0 – 3.5 gpg
  • Moderately Hard: 3.5 – 7.0 gpg
  • Hard Water: 7.0 – 10.5 gpg
  • Very Hard Water: More than 10.5 gpg

Additional Contaminants and Testing

In addition to hardness, your water may contain other contaminants that can affect its quality and safety. These include:

  • Chlorine: Widely used as a disinfectant, its overuse can lead to taste and odor issues and dry, itchy skin.
  • Iron: Common in groundwater, it can cause staining and may also affect water taste.
  • Hydrogen Sulfide: Noted for its rotten egg smell, it can also corrode metals and stain laundry and fixtures.

Standard Water offers comprehensive testing services to identify these and other contaminants. Our detailed assessments provide you with a clear understanding of your water quality and the potential risks associated with it.

Skilled Solutions from Standard Water Systems

At Standard Water, we are equipped to help you assess and resolve any water quality issues. Through professional testing and tailored water treatment solutions, we ensure that your water is not just safe but also pleasant and beneficial for all uses. Whether adjusting your water softening system, installing advanced filtration technology, or simply providing expert guidance, our goal is to enhance the quality of water for you and your family.