Bacteria, Protozoa and Viruses
Microorganisms are extremely small organisms, and include bacteria, protozoa and viruses. Some of these are so small that they cannot be seen under a conventional microscope.
Lead in Water
Lead, a metal found in natural deposits, is commonly used in household plumbing materials and water service lines. The greatest exposure to lead is swallowing or breathing in lead paint chips and dust. But lead in drinking water can also cause a variety of adverse health effects. In babies and children, exposure to lead in drinking water above the action level can result in delays in physical and mental development, along with slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, it can cause increases in blood pressure. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Nitrate in Water
The presence of nitrate in a water analysis is a danger signal. Nitrate is an indication that your water supply may be contaminated with bacteria. Even small amounts of nitrate make the water supply suspect. In farming areas, like Illinois, nitrates are a real problem.
Large amounts of nitrate are dangerous to infants. Babies drinking high nitrate water develop a blue color of skin because the blood has a decreased ability to carry oxygen. Continued drinking of the water will cause the baby to become ill, or may even result in death.
Partial removal of nitrate can be accomplished by reverse osmosis. Complete removal of nitrate may be accomplished by deionization treatment. If the water supply is found to be contaminated, chlorination may be needed to kill the bacteria. If nitrate water cannot be reduced to an acceptable level through water treatment, we suggest that bottled water be used for drinking.
Iron in Water
Iron can be present in water in several forms: colloidal iron, oxidized iron, soluble iron and iron bacteria. Colloidal iron is a special case of extremely small particles of oxidized iron that do not settle out. Oxidized iron is insoluble in non-acid water. Water containing oxidized iron is filled with some red rust when first drawn from the tap. Soluble iron is called "clear water iron" because the water is not red unless it stands.
Salt in Water
Every natural water supply contains some sodium, with concentration depending upon the exposure of the water to soluble compounds which are present in the earth or in the atmosphere.
The natural contamination of fresh ground water by saltwater is an important water-quality issue in many areas of Illinois. This saltwater comes from naturally occurring salt minerals in the subsurface. Proper management of ground water reduces, and frequently avoids, intrusion of saltwater into freshwater supplies.
Wells, Ground Water and Special Problems
Contaminants that may cause health problems, such as nitrate, are of significant concern. For owners of private wells, the issue of ground-water contamination is particularly serious. Most private domestic supplies are neither tested nor treated on a routine basis.
Although the distinction between surface water and ground water seems simple, they are connected in such a way that surface water can become ground water and vice versa, and such surface-ground water interactions generally are difficult to observe and measure. Aquifers are often fed partially by seepage from streams and lakes. These same aquifers may discharge through seeps and springs to feed the streams, rivers, and lakes.
How Water Looks, Tastes and Smells
Many people determine the quality of the water they consume by how it smells, tastes or looks. Although these are important criteria, they are primarily aesthetic properties of the water. A glass of water may not look, smell or taste good, but it could still be suitable to drink from a health standpoint. If you are concerned about your water—you really need to have it tested.
Yet, we know that you will still want to use the way water looks, smells and tastes to help determine what type of treatment is necessary to improve the quality of your water. The following guidelines will help you make some educated guesses about any problems with your water and what the most likely cause of those problems might be. You can confirm your guesses when your water is actually tested.
To perform this experiment, all you need is a clear container to take a water sample and then use your senses of sight, smell and taste.
Water Solutions
The following chart is intended to serve only as a general guide for determining the cause of problems with water. In some cases, these symptoms may indicate a serious problem—in others, only the taste and smell (its aesthetics) may be affected, but not its safety.
Although information below will help you identify your concerns about your water, we believe that it is safest to have your water tested.
Hard Water Versus Soft Water
Water described as "hard" means it is high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. These substances leave a hard scale on surfaces that come in contact with the water. The degree of hardness becomes greater as the calcium and magnesium content increases.
Hard water is not a health risk, but is a nuisance because of its tendency to cause mineral buildup in water pipe and heating systems, and its poor soap and/or detergent performance when compared with soft water. Hard water can cause more expense in increased water use and more frequent plumbing repair bills.