Turbidity/Cloudiness
Mud, sand, sediment in water, makes water appear cloudy.
Hard Water
Minerals from rock and soil are present in your water, such as
calcium and Magnesium
Odor
Musty or earth - organic matter, Chlorine smell - excessive
chlorination, Rotten egg - hydrogen sulfid gas
Staining
Brown/Red stains on fixtures due to high level of dissolved iron
in water
Asbestos
Might leach into the water from old cement water pipes - Asbestos
is linked to several types of cancer
Bacteria, Cysts, & viruses
Chlorine will not kill all living organisms in the drinking water,
such as Giardia, Cryptosporium, E. coli, Typhoid and Cholera.
Toxins - Arsenic, Dioxin, PCBs
These toxic substances are by-products of Pesticide, Oil &
Plastic production.
Fluoride
An additive for reducing dental cavities. Some researchers are
concerned about exposure to Fluoride.
Heavy Metals - Lead & Copper
Lead poisoning can cause mental retardation in children and may
cause birth defects.
Trihalomethanes (THM's)
THMs are formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in the
water
Volitile Organic Chemicals (VOC)
VOCs are components of gasoline, cleaning fluids and industrial
cleaners.