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¶ Troubleshooting Guide for Domestic Water Problems |
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| Symptoms or Appearance | Typical Lab Result | Health Hazard? | Possible Cause | |
¶ Disagreeable Taste |
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| Bad taste | high iron (Fe) | > 0.12 - 0.30 Fe mg/L | not likely | iron reducing bacteria |
| high manganese (Mn) | > 0.01 - 0.05 Mn mg/L | not likely | -------- | |
| Salty taste | high chloride (Cl) | > 250 – 350 Cl mg/L | not likely | water softener malfunction |
| salt water contamination | ||||
| Bitter taste | high sulfate | > 250 – 500 SO4 mg/L | not likely to possibly | -------- |
| high sodium (Na) | > 250 – 500 Na mg/L | possibly | -------- | |
| Mineral taste | high soluble salts | > 250 – 500 TDS mg/L | not likely to possibly | water softener malfunction |
| Medicinal taste | high chloride (Cl) | > 250 – 350 Cl mg/L | not likely | excess chlorine |
| chlorinator malfunction | ||||
| Metallic taste | high iron (Fe) | > 0.12 - 0.30 Fe mg/L | not likely | -------- |
| Soda taste | alkaline water | not likely | -------- | |
| high sodium (Na) | > 250 – 500 Na mg/L | possibly | -------- | |
¶ Disagreeable Odor |
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| Rotten eggs odor | high hydrogen sulfide | > 0.50 H2S mg/L (must be tested on-site) |
not likely | sulfate reducing bacteria |
| Rotten eggs odor, only when heated | high hydrogen sulfide | > 0.50 H2S mg/L (must be tested on-site) |
not likely | sulfate reducing bacteria AND magnesium rod in electric water heater |
| Ammonia odor | ammonia | > 1.5 NH3 mg/L | possibly | surface contamination |
| septic tank seepage | ||||
| leaking sewer line | ||||
| Putrid or foul odor | total coliform bacteria | present | possibly | surface contamination |
| total coliform bacteria & E. coli bacteria |
present & positive |
possibly to very likely | outside contamination from sewage or manure | |
| high hydrogen sulfide | > 0.50 H2S mg/L (must be tested on-site) |
not likely | sulfate reducing bacteria | |
| Oily or gassy odor | high hydrocarbons or high volatile organic compounds |
requires specialized testing |
possibly | accidental chemical spills |
| high manganese (Mn) | > 0.01 - 0.05 Mn mg/L | leaking storage tanks | ||
| high chloride (Cl) | > 250 – 350 Cl mg/L | leaking sewer lines | ||
¶ Stains or Deposits on Dishes, Clothes, or Plumbing Fixtures |
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| Soap scum | hard water | 120 - 180 mg/L or 7.0 - 10.5 grains/gal |
not likely | ---- |
| Water spots or film | hard water | 120 - 180 mg/L or 7.0 - 10.5 grains/gal |
not likely | ---- |
| Scale deposits | hard water | 120 - 180 mg/L or 7.0 - 10.5 grains/gal |
not likely | ---- |
| Reddish-orange specks Brownish specks |
high iron (Fe) | > 0.12 - 0.30 Fe mg/L | not likely | gel from iron reducing bacteria |
¶ Other Symptoms |
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| Corrosion of pipes or plumbing fixtures (also pitting, rusting, or leaking) | soft water | < 20 mg/L or 1.0 grain/gal |
not likely | ---- |
| very acidic water | pH < 5.5 | not likely | ---- | |
| very alkaline water | pH > 8.0 | not likely | ---- | |
| high sulfate (SO4) | > 250 – 500 SO4 mg/L | not likely | ---- | |
| high chloride (Cl) | > 250 – 350 Cl mg/L | not likely | water softener malfunction | |
| high soluble salts | > 250 – 500 TDS mg/L | not likely to possibly | water softener malfunction | |
| Deposits in boilers | high silica (SiO2) | varies | not likely | ---- |
| Laxative effect | high sulfate (SO4) | > 250 – 500 SO4 mg/L | not likely to possibly | ---- |
| Mottling or stains on teeth | high fluoride | > 2.0 – 4.0 F mg/L | not likely to possibly | |
Harner, J.P. and J.P Murphy. 1985. Home water quality. Bull. MF763. Coop. Ext. Svc., Kansas State Univ., Manhattan KS. Maytag Company. Water Quality problems for household appliances". Tanen from The Answer Book, Vol II.
Tucker, M.E. 1986. Explanation of your drinking water analysis. Kansas Dept. of Health and Environme, Topeka KS
Wooding, N.W. and J.S. Schmidt. Your water test report- What do the Numbers mean?. Special Circular 270. Pennsylvania State Univ., Univsity Park PA.