What’s in Your Drinking Water?

We turn on the faucets in our home on a daily basis and think very little of the water that comes out. Sure, you might notice if your shower is cold or if the water pressure from your kitchen faucet is off… but what you’re probably not going to think about is what’s in your water.

So let’s ask the question: what’s in your water? The obvious answer is going to be hydrogen and oxygen, right? While it’s true that these two chemicals are the basis of pure water, they’re likely only the start of things that are found coming out of your tap—especially if you draw your water from a well.

Take a look below at some of the other things that can be lurking in your water if you’re drawing from a tap and don’t have the appropriate filtration or water conditioning in Columbia, TN in place to minimize contamination.

Chemical contamination

Hydrogen and oxygen are only just the start of chemicals that might be found in your well water supply. In fact, some of the chemicals that you might discover after running a routine water test can be downright terrifying. Some of the most common chemicals can include nitrogen and other pesticides from fertilizers seeping into groundwater, arsenic from the soil and even varying salts.

Also of major concern when it comes to chemical contaminators are various metals. If your water is leaving behind calcifications or water spots, you might just have “hard” water, which means it’s filled with unwanted metals like zinc, copper or nickel, among others. Water conditioning in Columbia, TN is usually the solution for dealing with hard water.

Bio-contaminants

Some of the most dangerous things that could be living in your water are actually alive! Microscopic organisms—or microbes—are usually single cell organisms or very basic multicellular organisms that can detract from your water’s quality. Bacteria, protozoan, viruses and even parasites all use water as a medium of travel, which means if you ingest it, you could find yourself playing host to unwanted organisms!

Radiological contaminants

Radiation is a growing concern in groundwater and has become a topic of keen focus for groups striving to protect the integrity of ground and well water. Cesium, plutonium and uranium can all be found in trace amounts in ground water where unstable atoms are present. The cause of groundwater radiation can vary greatly, however instances tend to be higher near industrial developments.

Keeping your water pure

With so many unappealing prospects living in your water, it behooves you to ensure it’s regularly tested and appropriately treated at all times. To that end, there are three key things you can and should be doing:

• Have your well pump system inspected and serviced accordingly and thoroughly.
• Have your water tested annually to ensure you’re treating it appropriately.
• Condition and filter your water based on the findings of your water test.

It’s easier than you think to get rid of the pathogens in your water, but it’s even easier to fall victim to them by doing nothing!

Categorised in: Drinking Water