Common Water Issues in Central Florida
See our list below for the myriad of different issues that your water could be facing.
Hard Water
Do you notice spots on dishes, shower doors, or fixtures?
Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. It’s a natural result of minerals like calcium and magnesium accumulating during the water cycle, and it can happen with well water and even city water. The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). One grain is equivalent to 17.1 milligrams of calcium or magnesium dissolved in one liter of water. The more calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water, the harder the water becomes. This is why certain cities and counties within the same state can have varying degrees of water hardness.
The effects of hard water are fairly easy to spot:
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It is the scum that collects on shower doors.
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It leaves ugly stains in sinks and fixtures.
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It dulls your hair and clogs your pores.
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It wears out clothing and makes laundry feel hard and scratchy.
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It makes household cleaning more difficult by lessening the effectiveness of soaps and cleaning products.
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It leads to higher energy bills because of scale build-up in your water heater and pipes.
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Water using appliance(s) become less efficient and need to work harder.
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It can lead to low water pressure from your shower or faucets, and even cause burst pipes over time.
Hard water can be tough on your home, your skin and your wallet. A water softener counteracts those effects by creating better quality water that extends the life of your appliances while also helping you and your home look and feel better.
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Chlorine & Chloramines
Does your water smell or taste like a swimming pool?
Chlorine is commonly known to maintain swimming pools. It is also used in common commercial and household disinfectant products such as bleach. Often, municipalities use chlorine in the disinfection of the public water supply to manage bacteria levels in drinking water and to kill other potentially harmful agents. Chloramines (Chlorine + Ammonia) is an alternative to using chlorine. The typical purpose of chloramines is to provide longer-lasting water treatment as the water moves through pipes to consumers.
Chlorine, even at acceptable household levels, can affect the taste of food and beverages and contribute to dry eyes, skin irritation and can exacerbate conditions such as eczema.
An EcoWater refiner or carbon-based filter can be used to remove both chlorine and chloramines throughout the home or can be accomplished with a “point-of-use” filter for single faucet water treatment. Our water treatment specialists understand how to treat your local water and can provide the best recommendation for your home and family.
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Cloudy Water
Does your water look foggy or do you notice sand or dirt in your water?
If you draw your water from a well, lake, stream or pond there is a high possibility that you have experienced cloudiness in your water at one time or another. It is caused by sand, dirt or other inorganic matter getting into wells, or by run-off of matter into the water supply. This cloudiness, or turbidity, is simply dirt or other suspended solids in your water, which gives it a cloudy, milky, foggy appearance.
While many people consider water turbidity a visual or aesthetic concern, if left untreated, it can lead to more troubling plumbing issues down the road. Turbidity can clog pipes and the small water-bearing openings in your faucets – creating wear on valves, seats and washers, which can lead to costly repairs. Turbidity can also cause staining in sinks, fixtures and laundry.
There are several types of systems and filters that can be used for treating sediment and turbidity problems in the home. An EcoWater Pro can evaluate your water supply and identify the best solution for your needs.
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Iron
Does your water taste metallic or do you notice reddish, rust-like stains?
The culprit for these hard to remove stains or that “off” taste could be due to high levels of iron in your water. Iron water is caused by water passing through iron-bearing rocks. Because iron accounts for 5% of the earth’s crust, it can be found in just about all types of water supplies and in different forms.
The type of iron present is important when considering the type of water treatment solution. Water that comes out of the faucet clear, but turns red or brown after standing is ferrous iron, also referred to as ‘clear water iron’. Water which is yellow or reddish immediately from the faucet is ferric iron, also known as ‘red water iron’. Ferric iron has already oxidized and come out of solution into a particle form.
Iron in water can stain sinks and laundry and form scale in pipes and water-using appliances which leads to clogged filters, pipes and showerheads over time. While you may be able to spot treat iron in your water with an acidic cleaner, the most effective way is with a water softener or specialty filter.
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Low PH
Does your water have a metallic taste or do you notice bluish-green stains inside your toilet tank or on your fixtures?
If your water has a low pH (less than 7) it is may be considered acidic. Common causes for acidic water are acid rainfall due to atmospheric carbon dioxide and other airborne pollutants, runoff from mining spoils, and decomposition of plant materials.
Acidity in water can have an adverse effect on the taste and quality of your water, as well as household pipes and fixtures. Acidic water can cause fixtures to have blue staining (from copper pipes) or rust staining (from iron pipes). The main problem is the damage it can do to copper or iron plumbing. The water slowly eats away at the plumbing and water heater tank, eventually leaving holes.
If you suspect that you may have a low pH issue, or would like to have your water tested for acidity or contaminants, contact an EcoWater Pro. Our water treatment specialists understand the problem water challenges and commonly occurring contaminants affecting their region.
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Arsenic
Arsenic in water can be hard to detect, because it is both odorless and tasteless.
Arsenic can be toxic even in small levels and is a known human carcinogen that may cause cancer and can increase the likelihood of developing other health problems. The only way to identify its presence is to have the water tested through a state certified lab.
While it is regulated by the EPA, arsenic can enter drinking water supplies from erosion of natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial runoff. You may be at higher risk of having arsenic contaminated water if you rely on a private well, if you live in areas known to have higher concentrations of naturally occurring arsenic, or if you live near a large industrial area or farm.
If you have any questions about your water quality, call your utility provider, or schedule a comprehensive water analysis from your local EcoWater Pro.
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Lead
Lead differs from other contaminants in that it rarely occurs naturally in the raw water supply. Lead is more likely to become a problem after the water has left the treatment plant. Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful to human health; there is NO safe level for lead exposure.
The primary source for lead in most drinking water supplies is as a result of corrosion in the household plumbing – lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets. Homes built before the 1930’s utilized lead pipes. Older homes may also have lead service lines connecting the home’s plumbing to the public water distribution system. Even if your home was built after the 1930’s and has copper pipes, the solder may contain elevated levels of lead. While replacing lead service lines and old fixtures may be desirable, it may not always be feasible.
Some simple methods, such as flushing the faucets before using the water and never using water from the hot-water tap for drinking or cooking, can significantly reduce exposure to lead. If high lead levels still exist, however, a water treatment system may be needed. Potential options include specialty filters, reverse osmosis systems and distillers. Contact your local EcoWater Pro to address your concerns.
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Nitrates
Nitrate is a naturally occurring form of nitrogen, essential for plant growth and often added to soil (fertilizer) to improve productivity. Like some contaminants, it is both tasteless and odorless. When nitrates are not completely absorbed by the soil or the crops, excess can often find itself in groundwater and surface water supplies, which are in turn used in residential drinking water systems.
For homeowners in rural communities or using wells or springs, water should be tested for nitrates by a water treatment professional, as it is harmful to human and animal health. Your local EcoWater Pro can recommend a POU or POE filtration solution to reduce water pollutants, like nitrates, up to 99%.
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