Please remember that
this diagnosis page is ONLY a guide. To conclude that any of the symptoms
are definitely the result of any of the following effects a water test
would be needed.
Please
click here
to arrange a free water quality test.
If you experience any of
the following problems with your water, then click on the link to find out
more:
Chlorine Odour
If you are experiencing a
chlorine ODOUR when you
draw water from your tap, it is likely that this is the result of
excessive chlorination or inadequate dechlorination. Most water
authorities (all in the U.K.) use chlorine as a method of sterilising the
water, which you drink. This is the cheapest and most effective way of
killing bacteria, which would otherwise cause illness. Unfortunately the
smell can be unpleasant. Chlorine is an irritant, however it usually
occurs in small concentrations in the water and therefore is harmless.
However those with sensitive skin can develop dry skin, or blemishes due
to the chemical. There have been a few medical papers which suggest in
large quantities, Chlorine can cause Bowl and Rectal cancer, however one
would have to be exposed excessive amounts of chlorine (more than one
would experience due to the chlorination of drinking water.)
There have also been a few
papers written that suggest Chlorine in the water (either naturally
occurring, or the result of chlorination from treatment plant operation)
can react in the water with other carbon containing species to produce
Trichloromethane, which is a probable human carcinogen. However the risk
from Trihalomethane is much less than allowing the consumption of
un-treated water, as un-treated water could lead to the transfer of
infectious diseases such as Cholera.
Treatment options
for a Chlorine Odour
The unpleasant smell of
chlorine can be treated in two ways;
-
Activated Carbon
-
Reverse Osmosis
If you would like to know
what either of these treatment options are please click here.
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Detergent Odour
If you are experiencing a
DETERGENT ODOUR (foamy water is a good indicator of this), it is likely
that you have a waste water discharge into your water supply. The
contaminant would therefore be detergents like washing up liquid, washing
power/liquid, fabric softeners etc. However if waste water is being
discharged into your supply, it is likely that dilute sewage may also
accompany the detergent, and anything else which you might discharge via
the drains. Associated with this problem is the risk of disease due to the
presence of bacteria and chemicals. This can be harmful to all age groups,
however Infants and those over 70 are at a higher risk.
Treatment options
for a Detergent Odour
The only way to treat this
is by eliminating the problem at the source by preventing the waste water
entering your drinking supply, or by chlorination or Ultraviolet Radiation
Sterilisation. To find how our RainSoft Water Treatment Systems can treat
the water please click here.
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Rotten Egg Odour
If you are experiencing a
ROTTEN EGG ODOUR when you draw water from your taps, it is likely that the
water is contaminated with either Sewage or Sulphate Reducing Bacteria.
The offensive smell is caused by a gas called Hydrogen Sulphide. The
health effects associated with this contaminant is Gastrointestinal
problems, such as diarrhoea or vomiting.
Treatment options
for a Rotten Egg Odour
To treat this contaminant,
it is advisable to use activated carbon, aeration or oxidation. To find
how our RainSoft Water Treatment Systems can treat the water please click
here.
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Musty/Earthy Odour
If you are experiencing a
MUSTY, EARTHY ODOUR when you draw water from your tap, it is likely that
your water supply has been contaminated with vegetation and algae. The
contaminant is therefore organic material such as leaves, algae, soil etc.
There are little health effects associated with this contaminant, however
it is possible that infectious diseases could be passed on.
Treatment options
for a Musty/Earthy Odour
If you have concern about
organic matter in your water, then the only well known option is to treat
the water at the source, or use activated carbon to clean the water. To
find how our RainSoft Water Treatment Systems can treat the water please
click here.
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Fishy/Sweet Perfume Odour
If you experience a FISHY,
SWEET PERFUME ODOUR when you draw water from your tap, is likely that this
is caused by the contamination of your water supply by industrial
chemicals or industrial waste. The actual contaminant that will be
responsible for the smell is volatile organics or semi volatiles.
Unfortunately the health effects of such a chemical is quite serious.
Chemicals such as these are often human carcinogens, and may cause liver,
kidney and neurological effects.
Treatment options
for a Fishy/Sweet Perfume Odour
If you do experience such a
smell, it is wise to deal with it immediately by locating the source and
blocking the intrusion, or using activated carbon with monitoring.
RainSoft products will be able to help the problem, however it is
paramount that the intrusion of the industrial chemicals/waste is stopped
at the source immediately.
To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Solutions please click here.
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Oil or Gas Odour
If you experience a OIL or
GAS ODOUR when you draw water from your tap, it is likely that there has
been some kind of OIL or GAS spill, or leak, which has intruded your water
supply. The Contaminants will therefore be Gasoline, Volatile Organics or
Semi volatiles. Again the health effects are quite serious, and it is
paramount that the situation is controlled immediately. These chemicals
are known human carcinogens, and may cause, liver, kidney or neurological
effects.
Treatment options
for a Oil or Gas Odour
The situation can be
controlled by preventing the intrusion of the chemicals at the source, or
by using activated carbon with careful monitoring. RainSoft products can
help, however preventing further intrusion is the fundamental step.
To find out more about
RainSoft products please click here.
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Sharp
Chemical Taste or Odours or an Oil Consistency
If you are experiencing a
SHARP CHEMICAL TASTE OR ODOURS OR AN OILY CONSISTENCY it is likely that
your water supply has been contaminated by industrial activities, or waste
disposal. The actual chemicals which may be responsible for the symptoms
are Pesticides, Herbicides or Semi volatiles. These chemicals are known
human carcinogens, and can cause liver, kidney or neurological and gastro
damage.
Treatment options
for a Sharp Chemical Taste or Odours or an Oil Consistency
If you are experiencing
this problem the best solution to treat it is by identifying the source
and removing it. This should be done as soon as possible, as the
consumption of this water is potentially dangerous. RainSoft Water
Treatment Solutions may be able to help.
To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Solutions, please click here.
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Alkali Taste
If you experience an alkali
taste on your water (a slightly "tangy" taste) then it is likely to be the
result of a high mineral content in you water supply. This is more common
in private wells/boreholes, however it can also occur in areas where the
water is extracted from aquifers (a permeable rock which stores water), as
the water will have percolated through various rocks. If the some of the
minerals in the rocks have dissolved into the water whilst passing through
the rocks you may experience this alkali taste. The strength of the taste
will be dependent on the solubility of the rock (how easily water
dissolves the rock).
The high mineral content of
the water can cause numerous skin conditions by blocking pores with
mineral deposits. The minerals can also further aggravate already existing
skin problems such as eczema.
Treatment options
for a Alkali Taste
There are three main
solutions to treat this water problems:
Our RainSoft water
treatment systems can remove these minerals by either Anion & Cation
Exchange (Using a Water Softener) or by using Reverse Osmosis. To find out
more about these products please click here.
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Strong Metallic Taste
If you are experiencing a
strong metallic taste when consuming your tap water, it is likely that the
water which you drawn from your tap has a HIGH MINERAL CONTENT. These
minerals are naturally occurring, and are the result of the water which
you receive being drawn from aquifers in deep subterranean regions. If the
water percolates through rock strata which is soluble, then the water will
pick up various minerals which dissolve into the water as it seeps through
the rock strata to the aquifer.
Minerals commonly found in
water with a high mineral content are Copper, Iron and Manganese ions.
There are little health effects related to these minerals, however some
find the taste unpleasant. The Standard concentrations in the U.S. are 0.3
milligrams per litre (mg/l) for Iron, 0.05 mg/l for Manganese, and 1.0
mg/l for Copper. At concentrations higher than this, individuals may find
the taste unpleasant.
Treatment options
for a Strong Metallic Taste
These minerals can be
completely be removed by:
A RainSoft Water Treatment
System will be able to resolve this problem. To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Systems, please click here.
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Salty/Brackish Taste
If you experience a SALTY,
BRACKISH TASTE when you consume water drawn from your tap, it is likely
that your water supply has been intruded by Salt Water. The intrusion may
be due to either:
The contaminant is Sodium
ions, and Chloride ions, Sulphate ions or other salts. The health effects
are small, however those prone to hypertension, may over time find that
this aggravates the problem.
Treatment options
for a Salty/Brackish Taste
The main solutions for
treatment are either:-
-
Reverse Osmosis
-
Distillation
A RainSoft Water Treatment
System will be able to resolve this problem. To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Systems, please click here.
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Cloudy Water
If you experience cloudy
water, when you draw water form your tap, there are a variety of causes to
this problem. The cloudiness could be caused by:-
The contaminants could be
one or more of the following:-
-
Dirt
-
Sand
-
Clay
-
Silt
-
Organic Matter
Health effects are
generally negligible, however it is possible that infectious diseases may
be transferred with these sediments, depending on the source of the
contaminants.
Treatment options
for Cloudy Water
To treat this problem there
are three main solutions
-
Reverse Osmosis (For more
information about what Reverse Osmosis is please click here)
-
Ultrafiltration (Ultrafiltration
is carried out when water is passed through a RainSoft Reverse Osmosis
Unit). For more information about what Reverse Osmosis is please click
here.
-
Distillation
A RainSoft Water Treatment
System will be able to resolve this problem. To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Systems, please click here.
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Blue -
Green Stains on Sink & Porcelain Fixtures
If you experience BLUE -
GREEN STAINS ON SINK & PROCELAIN FIXTURES, it is likely to be caused
corrosive water reacting with brass or copper pipes or fittings causing
them to oxidise and produce a deposit on you fixtures. The contaminant is
copper. The US federal standard for copper in water supplies is 1.3
milligrams per litre of water (mg/l). The health effects of this are
unknown, however it is unlikely to cause any problem. However most
individuals find the staining unpleasant.
Treatment options
for Blue - Green stains on Sink & Porcelain Fixtures
To resolve this problem
various water treatment solutions can be assigned including:
-
Reverse Osmosis (For more
information about what Reverse Osmosis is please click here)
-
Distillation
-
Ultrafiltration (Ultrafiltration
is carried out when water is passed through a RainSoft Reverse Osmosis
Unit).For more information about what Reverse Osmosis is please click
here.
A RainSoft Water Treatment
System will be able to resolve this problem. To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Systems, please click here.
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Brown - Red
Water/Stains & Discoloured Clothing
If you experience BROWN-RED
WATER, STAINS & DISCOLOURED CLOTHING it is likely to be caused by
naturally occurring Iron, or Iron Bacteria, or Iron leached from an old
pipe. The culprit here is Iron. The US federal standards for Iron in water
supplies is 0.3 milligrams per litre (mg/l). There are no known health
effects of Iron in water supplies, however one assumes that high
concentrations would not be harmless.
Treatment options
for Brown - Red Water/Stains & Discoloured Clothing
This problem can be
resolved in four main ways:
A RainSoft Water Treatment
System will be able to resolve this problem. To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Systems, please click here.
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Yellow Water
If you experience YELLOW
WATER when you draw water from your tap, it is likely that the water which
you receive has passed through Peaty soil & Vegetation, or you have
"yellow" Iron in the water. In this case, complex organic compounds are
responsible for this discoloration. These compounds are known as Tannins,
Humics, and Lignins. The U.S. Federal Standards suggests a maximum of 15
colour units. There are no known health effects for these contaminants,
however one assumes that high concentrations would not be harmless.
Treatment options
for Yellow Water
This problem can be
resolved in four main ways:
A RainSoft Water Treatment
System will be able to resolve this problem. To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Systems, please click here.
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Milky Water
If you have a problem with
MILKY WATER when you draw water form your tap, it is likely that your
water is excessively oxygenated, or contains particulates. The health
hazard associated with this problem is highly dependant on the type of
particles.
Treatment options
for Milky Water
To resolve this problem,
one can use service water filters, let the water stand before consumption,
or ensure your hot water heater is clean. A RainSoft Water Treatment
System will be able to resolve this problem. To find out more about
RainSoft Water Treatment Systems, please click here.
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Hard Water
If you experience the
following symptoms:-
You have a problem with
elevated levels of Calcium & Magnesium Salts. In other words, you are
experiencing the symptoms of HARD WATER. For a detailed explanation of
hard water please click here. The white deposits are called lime scale,
and are something the majority of individuals living in the U.K.
experience in their homes and businesses.
Treatment options
for Hard Water
Hard water
can only be eliminated by a water softener. Water filters will only remove
a minute amount of the hardness in your water and will NOT prevent the
scaling up of your kettle or other water appliances such as washing
machines, irons etc. The effects may however be slightly milder but not to
a beneficial extent. Magnetic de-scalers DO NOT remove any of the hardness
in the water, however they will stop the calcium and magnesium salts from
adhering to pipe work. However lime scale will still build up on your
kettle and other water using appliances such as washing machines, irons
etc.
The health effects of hard
water range from Gaul/Kidney stones to dry, rough skin and can aggravate
already existing skin conditions. Soft water allows the natural body oils
to flow, which naturally moisturise the skin, and eliminate the need for
artificial moisturisers in NORMAL skin. Hard water also means that
excessive amounts of soap products are required, and the soap is not
completely removed during rinsing. The soap residue left in garments, or
on the skin can cause irritation of the skin, and often causes irritating
rashes. Soft water will completely remove the soap residue, leaving your
skin and clothing to breath freely.
If you are interested in
resolving your hard water problem, please click here.
Learn more about your water
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