Truth of Water FREE Services:

Common Water Problems

Written by Mike

I have come up with a quick reference table to address some common water quality issues and possible concerns. To expand upon a particular issue for more information, or to apply it to your particular situation, have a look at the past questions/answers or contact me here.

*Disclaimer - the below problem/solution table will work for most common issues. If you have any concern, you should expand upon your problem. The below table may not work for every situation. The products linked to are examples which will work with in many, but not all circumstances. Truthofwater takes no responsibility for the equipment listed and any issues should be taken up with the manufacterers directly.

Problem	Reason	Solutions/Recommendation
Occasional Rusty/Yellow Water	Municipal water line flushing cleaning and stirring up accumulated oxidized iron (harmless)	Run cold water tap until water runs clear Install whole house sediment filter Install point of use sediment filter
Occasional/Frequent Rusty/Yellow Water	Rust from old well casing Rust from high levels of dissolved iron in water flocking out after being oxidized by air/pumping/mixing	Replace well Install Iron Filter Install whole house sediment filter Install point of use sediment filter
Chlorine Smell	Secondary disinfectant from municipally treated water	Let water stand in an open jug in the refrigerator overnight Install whole house carbon filter Install point of use carbon filter Use Jug style carbon filter
Occasional/Frequent turbid/cloudy water (not from bubbles)	High suspended solids level in lake or shallow wells, sand or other dirts	Install whole house sediment filter Install point of use sediment filter
Earthy/Musty Smell/Taste	Naturally occurring organics from lake/river/well water	Install whole house carbon filter Install point of use carbon filter Use jug style carbon filter
Water spots on glassware, soap not lathering well	Hard water from naturally occurring dissolved calcium and magnesium in water	Install water softener
Rotten Egg Smell in Water	Build up of decaying organic matter in drains	Pour bottled water into drain where you are getting smell when you turn on the tap. If smell persists, it is drain. Clean out drain.
Rotten Egg Smell in Water	Naturally occurring hydrogen sulphide from well water	Let stand in an open jug in refrigerator overnight Install a whole house carbon filter Install a point of use carbon filter Use jug style carbon filter
Uranium/Pesticide/Herbicide Arsenic/Other heavy metal	Contamination of well water from naturally occurring contaminant or a pollutant	Use a reverse osmosis filter system for drinking and cooking
Disinfection/Treatment of Raw Water Source	Personal drilled well, lake water, river water, pond water	Contact local water treatment experts to have system tailored to your needs.