Question 1

My water stinks, what can it be?"

Accepted Answer

Odour can be caused by several things, the most common odour is a rotten egg or sulphur smell. This odour as well as others is usually caused by hydrogetn sulfide gas (H2S) or in some instances by manganese, hydrocarbons or buildup of iron precipitate in the hot water heater. There are treatment options available for treating odour, some as simple as chlorinating the water source or hot water heater.

Question 2

My clothes are strained and yellow, what can I do?"

Accepted Answer

Staining of this type is usually caused by iron. The use of chlorine (javex) will only make this stain more pronounced, products such as yellow out are a short term solution, however, the water source should be tested and treated appropriately to avoid recurrence.

Question 3

I can't make a good cup of tea with my water!

Accepted Answer

A very common question and is usually associated with the amount of mineral in the water. Water that is high in mineral content cannot saturate the tea or the milk and ends up curdling in extreme cases. A water analysis would be required to identify the problem minerals such as hardness, iron, chlorides, etc.

Question 4

What is the slime in my toilet tank?

Accepted Answer

The toilet tank can seem greasy which is caused by mineral, however, if you have a slimy gelatinous substance this is usally caused by iron bacteria. Iron bacteria atually grows in the well and spreads to cover areas where water collects. Treatment is available but should not be initiated until bacterial iron is positively identified.

Question 5

I have black specs in my water, what are they?"

Accepted Answer

Black specs can be caused by oxidized manganese, grit or coal. A sample of the flaking should be brought to your treatment rep along with a sample of your water.

Question 6

My kettle has a buildup and I have a bathtub ring!

Accepted Answer

This is usually caused by hard water which forms a scale in the kettle or scum on the water

Question 7

What if I notice a greenish/blue stain on my faucets or copper pipe?

Accepted Answer

The stain is a result of water that has low PH, such as water becomes aggressive and leaches the solder or copper from the water thus leaving the stain.

Question 8

I have high blood pressure, can I still use treated water?"

Accepted Answer

Only water softeners use salt and although todays softeners use the sodium more efficiently it is possible that the sodium level in the water will increase. There are other types of treatment available, a different tap can be made to provide bottled water qualtity such as R/O or distiller. There is also a newer type of salt alternative available on the market for use in water conditioners.

Question 9

What if I have bacteria in my water?

Accepted Answer

There are two types of bacteria, fecal & coliform. Fecal is sewage or waste products, coliform is less serious and more common resulting from stagnant water, runoff, bugs or organic material. It is preferable to find the source of the contamination to correct the problem, if this is not possible treatment can be used to kill the bacteria effectively.