Do You Know What’s In Your Water?
The following data is taken from a study undertaken by the Texas Cooperative A&M University System.
Alkalinity: Caused by bicarbonates and carbonates and is calculated by using the concentation of calcium and magnesium. Water with a low alkalinity is more likely to be corrosive and cause plumbing to deteriorate. The treatment: acidifying the water will reduce actual alkalinity and the only way of doing this is to reduce the calcium and magnesium levels through water softening.
Aluminum: May be found in surface water from industrial waste or from the wash water of drinking water treatment plants. Aluminium may cause discoloration of water or build up of scale. Its treatment – reverse osmosis, distillation or electrodialysis.
Ammonia: By-product of drinking water disinfection; produced by bacteria in the soil, animal wastes and decaying plants and animals. Although there is no scientific evidence to suffest that canver can be conracted by animals or people through inadvertaently taking this water – there is evidence to suggest that cancer can be contracted by animals or people through inadvertently taking this water – there is much debate as to its healthiness. One way practised by the water companies to remove such a poblem is though aeration.
Antimony: A metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements. Found in drinking water as an industrial plollutant from petroleum refineries or from fire retardants. Its potential health risks are huge – an increased risk of cancer, increase in cholesterol levels and decreases in blood sugar. Its treatment – Coagulation / filtration, reverse osmosis.
Arsenic: may be found naturally in groundwater and in surface water as an industrial polutant or as a product of agricultural run-off from previously used pesticides. Arsenic is highly toxic and over time it builds up in the body, symptoms ranging from fatigue through to coma and death. Its treatment – the best way to reduce arsenic so far is by reverse osmosis.
Barium: A metal found naturally in groundwater as an industrial pollutant often related to oil and gas. Again – barium is toxic and can harm the heartt, blood, nerves, and kidneys. To treat, use reverse osmosis.
Beryllium: A metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements and in some precious stones such as emerals. Found in drinking water as a pollutant from discharges from metal refineries and the like. Health effects from ingestion of this water can result in intestinal lesions and an increased risk of cancer. To treat, sub-micron filtration is used to filter out this metal.
Bicarbonate and carbonate: Which is dissolved limestone, dolomite and atmospheric carbon dioxide. Lime deposits may form in your plumbing and irrigation systems. To treat, lower the ph through acid injection.
Boron: may be found naturally in groundwater as an industrial pollutant or as agricultural run-off. Boron can be extremely toxic to some plants when levels are too high. Sensitive crops may be affected at 0.33-0.67ppm. Clay soils accumulate boron faster than sandy soils. To remove, use reverse osmosis.
Bromate: This is a by-product of drinking water disinfection, leading to an increased risk of getting cancer and again the only known way of removing the component is by revese osmosis.
Cadmium: Primarily found in surface water, as a pollutant from industries that specialise in electroplating. Damage to health includes: Anaemia, and increased hypertension, to name just a couple of symptoms. Reverse osmosis to treat.
Calcium: Dissolved rock, limestone gypsum, salts and soil, clacium is a component of water hardness and can cause lime deposits, scale , extremely hard water and salinity. to remove, add water softeners or use similar ion exchange methods.
Chloride: In nature, chloride comes from dissolving minirals. It may also be found in large amounts in oilfield ‘brine’ and sea water. When combined with sodium, chloride makes drinking water taste salty and may make the water more corrosive. Will also blacken and pit stainless steel. To remove unwanted quantities, use reverse osmosis.
Chlorine: A water additive used to control microbes, health risks, eye and nose irritation, and stomach discomfort, reports into
Chromium: May be found in groundwater as an industrial pollutant. Chromium can be toxic to humans and doubtless damaging to plant life. Reverse osmosis is the single most effective way of reducing chromium levels.
Cobalt: Occurring in nature in many chemical forms, cobalt enters the environment from natural sources as well as burning coal and oil. Cobalt has both beneficial and harmful qualities. It has been used as a treatment for anaemia, however it can cause great discomfort for someone with a bronchial disorder. Again, reverse osmosis is how excess levels are removed.
Copper: Sometimes caused by contamination from mining operation and acid waters. Copper poisoning symptoms include jaundice and anaemia. To remove increase pH by using soa ash and prevent corrosion created by high dissolved oxygen or total salts by using a polyphosphate feeder system.
Cyanide: Found in drinking water as a result of discharges from sheet metal, plastic, and fertilizer factories. Health effects include nerve and thyroid damage. To remove cyanide, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis or the addition of chlorine.
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