A listing of symptoms in water, the common causes, and possible solutions to common drinking water problems. Prior to finding any solutions, it is important to conduct some tests for the more typical water parameters relevant to the water source. These tests are available in easy-to-use Test Kits as listed below. Alternatively, the water tests can be carried out by a NATA-certified laboratory.
Problems/Symptoms
Bitter, medicinal taste, scaly deposits and laxative effects may result in a rotten egg odour.
Causes
Sulphate is dissolved from bedrock or is caused by nearby coal mining. Sulphate levels above the SMCL of 250mg/L will cause these symptoms.
Solutions
Anion exchange (chloride concentration may complicate treatment), and reverse osmosis for small quantities of drinking water.
Problems/Symptoms
Black specks or black stains, metallic tasting water. Standing water (tub or toilet tank) may appear gray or black.
Causes
Manganese dissolved from bedrock or from nearby disturbance (mining, etc.). Manganese above the SMCL of 0.05mg/L will cause these symptoms.
Solutions
Water softener (low concentrations of manganese if recommended by a manufacturer), oxidizing filter for higher concentrations (pH adjustment of water may be necessary to optimize removal).
Problems/Symptoms
Blue-green stains in sinks and tubs, metallic tasting water, pinhole leaks in pipes, corroded fixtures.
Causes
Corrosive water is generally caused by low pH and low total dissolved solids (low alkalinity) which can be natural or related to mining activity. Stains are caused by copper (and possibly lead) leached from plumbing. Water with a negative LSI (Langelier Saturation Index) will cause these symptoms. Water with a pH of less than 7 and alkalinity lower than 150mg/L is likely to cause corrosion.
Solutions
Acid neutralizing filter, soda-ash injection or replace metal plumbing with National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved plastic components.
Problems/Symptoms
Greyish white film in sinks, tubs, dishes, reduced suds in laundry, frequent failure of water heater elements, scale in teapots.
Causes
Hardness due to calcium and magnesium dissolved from bedrock. There is no drinking standard but a hardness level above about 120mg/L¹ or 7 grains per gallon is most likely to cause these symptoms.
Solutions
Ion exchange water softener (exchanges calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium).
Problems/Symptoms
Gurgling or bubbling noise in well, spurting faucets, white gas bubbles in the water.
Causes
Dissolved gases in water (methane, ethane, carbon dioxide) from natural sources or from mining/gas drilling. There are no standards for these gases. Methane concentrations above 28mg/L are most likely to cause these symptoms.
Solutions
Continue routine testing if concentrations are below 7mg/L. Install vented well cap above about 7mg/L and aeration system for higher concentrations (above about 28mg/L).
Problems/Symptoms
Oily film floating on water.
Causes
Variety of substances including fuels, motor oil, lubricating oil, cooking oil, animal-derived fats and decomposition of natural organic matter. There are various water tests including Oil and Grease, and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH).
Solutions
Whole house series-activated carbon filtration. Ongoing testing may be necessary to determine the frequency of replacing carbon in the filter. Ion exchange organics specific.
Problems/Symptoms
Orange or opaque gelatinous film or strands coating toilet, and sinks, musty odour. Oily film on the water surface.
Causes
Iron bacteria. There is no drinking water standard for iron bacteria in the water but any presence of these bacteria can cause these symptoms.
Solutions
Shock chlorination of well, continuous down-well chlorination using pellet droppers in severe cases. Follow-up with multi-level media unit. Carbon filtration may be needed to reduce chlorine.
Problems/Symptoms
Persistent gastrointestinal illnesses and odour may or may not be present.
Causes
Coliform bacteria, faecal bacteria, E. coli bacteria from runoff, septic systems, animals, poor well or spring construction. All of the bacteria have an MCL³ of less than 1 colony per 100 mL so any detectable level of these bacteria can cause these symptoms.
Solutions
Shock chlorination of well. Ultraviolet light, chlorination or ozonation system for persistent occurrence.
Problems/Symptoms
Pink slime on fixtures, toilet waterline, or sink/shower surface.
Causes
Airborne bacteria (Serratia marcescens) growing on surfaces that are regularly moistened.
Solutions
Not a water problem. Clean and dry surfaces frequently and use chlorinated cleaner.
Problems/Symptoms
Rotten egg odour in cold and hot water, with black greasy stains.
Causes
Hydrogen sulphide, sulphides, sulphate reducing bacteria in groundwater. There is no standard but any amount can cause these symptoms. NOTE: odour at one sink may be caused by bacteria in the drain rather than water (disinfect drain to remove odour).
Solutions
Shock chlorination of well (in some cases), oxidizing filter, continuous chlorination and filtration. Activated carbon filtration may be used for less severe cases.
Problems/Symptoms
Rotten egg odour in hot water only.
Causes
Hydrogen sulfide is generated by a chemical reaction with an anti-corrosion magnesium rod (often called the “anode rod”) in a hot water heater.
Solutions
Remove and omit the rod or replace it with an alternate metal rod (caution: removing the rod may void the heater warranty).
Problems/Symptoms
Salty taste, corrosion of metals.
Causes
Chloride dissolved from bedrock or from various local activities (road salt, gas drilling brines, etc.). Chloride above the SMCL of 250mg/L is most likely to cause these symptoms.
Solutions
Reverse osmosis or distillation systems at individual taps. As chloride is very difficult to remove from water, consider developing a new source of water.
Problems / Symptoms
Turbid, cloudy, or dirty water.
Causes
Measurable concentrations of total suspended sediment (TSS) or turbidity are caused by silt, sediment, and clay from runoff or nearby earth disturbance or drilling activities. May also originate from oxidised metals (iron above 0.3 mg/L and/or manganese above 0.05 mg/L) that are naturally occurring or from mining.
Solutions
Cartridge or bag element filtration (less severe cases) or multi-level media filtration (more severe cases).
Problems/Symptoms
Water has a bad taste. The water source is municipal.
Causes
Water has been disinfected with chlorine or chloramine and may contain fluoride.
Solutions
Removal of disinfectants and fluoride with granular activated carbon or/ and KDF filtration media, RO filtration with various stages of carbon filtration (GAC and carbon block) – activated carbon filters are less efficient in removing fluoride.
Problems/Symptoms
Water has a brownish colour and bad taste. The water source is from a rainwater tank.
Causes
Tannins from leaves may have leached into rainwater and may be decomposing inside the tank depending on screening. Debris, contaminants and dust from the roof may also be flushed into the tanks.
Solutions
Removal of tannins with granular activated carbon or ion exchange media, RO filtration with various stages of carbon filtration (GAC and carbon block).
Problems/Symptoms
Water has been purified with a RO unit but water tastes acidic and corrodes plumbing.
Causes
Incorrect plumbing materials selected. (No copper should be used post-RO). The minerals have been removed from the water and as the RO unit removes almost no dissolved C02, the treated water (permeate) is acidic and corrosive.
Solutions
Use ultrafiltration where possible, or add an alkaline/mineral replacement as the final stage. Use NSF-approved plumbing suitable for RO units only.
Problems / Symptoms
Water that is initially clear but produces brown, orange or reddish stains or sediment, metallic-tasting water.
Causes
Iron dissolved from bedrock or from nearby disturbance (mining, etc.). Iron above the drinking water standard (SMCL²) of 0.3 mg/L is most likely to cause these symptoms.
Solutions
Removal of Iron by catalytic oxidation or by oxidation with a strong oxidising agent like ozone followed by media filtration.
¹mg/L stands for milligrams per litre. This is a common water testing measurement and is equal to ppm or parts per million.
²SMCL stands for Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level—set by EPA for aesthetic problems (tastes, etc.) in drinking water.
³MCL stands for Maximum Contaminant Level—set by EPA for health-related issues in drinking water supplies.
Water test results from a state-accredited laboratory should be used to confirm causes and severity to determine the most efficient treatment processes. Testing may also determine other problems that are masked by obvious symptoms.
List of Water Test Kits:
