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are Certified Home and Environmental Inspectors. Our commitment
to our customers is Giving them "PEACE OF MIND IN MAKING
THEIR PURCHASING DECISION. We follow the National Association
of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI ) Code of Ethics and Standards
of Practice. |
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A brief explanation of the most common problems
found in Drinking water. Go to
www.epa.gov for the complete list. |
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ALKALINITY TOTAL - Alkalinity is water, also
know as buffering capacity, is the combination of carbonate,
bicarbonate, and hydroxide ions. High readings of alkalinity
in water can cause copper tubing to pit and leaks can occur.
Some metals will deteriorate very fast when exposed to high levels
of alkalinity in water. |
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ACIDIC WATER - Acidic water has a pH level of less than 7.
Corrosive or acidic water can leach metals from pipes into drinking
water. Lead leached into drinking water can cause developmental
delays in children. In adults, lead can cause kidney problems and
high blood pressure. Copper can cause gastrointestinal distress,
or liver and kidney damage. Correct the pH level and solve the
problem. |
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BACTERIA-The most likely source of acute water-borne disease,
E-Coli Bacteria and other potentially dangerous microbes are commonly
found in our environment, but they should not be present in our drinking
water. Thousands of cases of bacteria illness occur every year,
many of them fatal. Many strains of bacteria are not toxic,
but some can cause very serious illness. Even mild cases can
result in diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Young children and those with weaker immunity are more likely to be
affected. Since contaminated water may not taste or smell “bad”,
most cases of water-borne disease are not likely to be identified
as such. The presence of bacteria in drinking water indicates
that treatment methods are not working properly and are not adequate
to remove all viable microbes. When treatment fails, drinking
water may become potentially toxic. Community water systems
take steps to disinfect drinking water, but they may not become aware
of problems until it’s too late. This bacteria was first recognized
as a cause of illness in 1982. Toxic bacteria may enter the
water supply from human or animal wastes, or natural sources.
Multiplying rapidly, they may release a variety of potent, damage-causing
molecules called endotoxins into the water. Correct the problem
by having your well given a Chlorine Dis-infection. EPA standard
level is 0. |
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CHLORINE-Drinking chlorine in small amounts may not hurt you,
but chlorine by-products can. The consumption of chlorine in
very small amounts most likely will not cause you serious harm.
What may be harmful, however, are the by-products, including chloroform,
that chlorine produces when mixed with organic matter. EPA standard
is 4 mg/L. |
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CHLORIDE (ci-)-Chlorides enter our drinking water naturally
from sea water and the dissolving of minerals and sedimentary rock.
Contamination can also occur from wastewater treatment facilities
and mining operations. It is important to test regularly for
chloride since levels above 250ppm can cause corrosion of pipes, toxicity
to plants, and an unpleasant taste in drinking water. Correct the
problem with De-ionization, Reverse Osmosis. |
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CHROMIUM-Chromium is a heavy metal found in natural deposits
as ores, and is abundant in soils and plants. Naturally occurring
chromium is rarely found in water. Some of the largest sources
of chromium contamination to our drinking water are from chemical
manufacturing and from the combustion of natural gas, oil and coal.
EPA primary drinking water standard is 0.1 ppm. |
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COPPER (Cu+1/Cu+2)-Copper may exist in water and other solutions
as a soluble ion and primarily occurs in drinking water from it use
in plumbing materials. It is important to detect copper since
it has been shown to cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver
and Kinney damage, and anemia. EPA primary drinking water standard
is 1.3ppm. |
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FLUORIDE- An element that occurs naturally in water from erosion
of natural deposits. It is also found in some fertilizers and
as a by-product of aluminum factories. The current standard
is set ant less than 4ppm. Fluoride can promote strong teeth.
However, fluoride may cause bone disease and contribute to mottled
teeth in children. Correct the problem with and Ion-exchange,
reverse Osmosis. |
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HARDNESS, TOTAL (Ca+2)-Calcium and Magnesium are naturally
occurring minerals responsible for water hardness. Hardness
is a key water chemistry parameter and its control is important to
help assure proper water quality. Low levels of calcium and
magnesium (soft water) can contribute to problems of corrosive water.
High calcium and magnesium leaves, especially above 400ppm, can lead
to possible water clarity problems and scaling. There are various
commercially-available softeners that can help minimize the problems
associated with high hardness levels. EPA standard level 50ppm. |
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IRON (Fe+2)-The presence of dissolved iron in water can have
negative consequences. It can lead to stained clothes, corrosion
of pipes and fixtures, and a foul taste in drinking water. Correct
the problem with water softeners, Catalytic oxidizing filters, Oxidation-filtration
system, Chlorination, or ozonation if iron bacteria are present.
EPA standard level 0.3 mg/L. |
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LEAD (Pb+2)-Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal in the
earth’s crust. For many years, lead was added to gasoline, paints,
and other consumer materials. However, exposure to lead can
be harmful. Lead from pipes can leach into household water used
for drinking, cooking and washing. Many homes and building shave
pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead. Lead can leach
from pipes into household water, making this plumbing a major source
of water contamination and a potential source of toxic lead poisoning.
Lead is so toxic that even very low levels may be dangerous.
Lead consumption and poisoning has been linked to many serious illnesses,
especially in young children. Lead can harm mental and physical
development and may cause brain abnormalities, kidney damage and hypertension.
As with other water contaminants, the risk of lead damage is much
greater for children than for adults, families should be particularly
concerned about the health of the water supply. Consumers should
test lead levels at each faucet in the home, especially if the plumbing
fixtures could be from the 1980’s or older. Lead from pipes
can leach into household water used for drinking, cooking and washing.
EPA standard level is 0. |
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MANGANESE (Mn+2)-Manganese minerals are widely distributed
in the Earth’s crust and can be introduced from industrial run-off
and other effluents. The presence of manganese in your water
can cause a bitter taste and, at higher levels, staining of laundry
and plumbing fixtures. EPA secondary drinking water standard
is 0.05mg/l.. Correct the problem with water softeners or oxidizing
filter . |
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METALS, HEAVY (Co+2, Cd+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, and more)-The presence
of heavy metals in water can cause many problems. In the home,
heavy metal presence can come from corrosion of pipes and fixtures
and from storing water in stainless steel storage containers. |
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NITRATE/NITRITE NITROGEN (NO3-INO2-)-A common yet incredibly
harmful pollutant especially to children and small animals.
When animal and human wastes or field fertilizers come into contact
with water, they show up as nitrates and nitrites. Both are
serious contaminants because they affect the very core of human life-birth
and the development of young life. In 1992, when the survey
was released, some 22,500 infants drinking domestic well water were
estimated to be exposed to levels of nitrates exceeding the EPA safe
drinking water limits of below 10ppm for Nitrate/Nitrite and
below 1ppm for Nitrite. Correct the problem with an Ion exchange,
Reverse Osmosis. |
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PESTICIDE (ATRAZINE/SIMAZINE) - Pesticide ingestion and
inhalation can damage internal organs, cause cancer and eventually
even cause death. The world Health Organization estimates that
one-half of the ground and well water in the U.S. is contaminated
with pesticides, resulting in 20,000 deaths each year. EPA standard
level is 0. |
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PH - PH measurement is one of the most commonly performed
tests in the lab and in the majority of industrial processes.
Abnormal PH levels can cause heavy metal(lead) leaching, causing plumbing
damage. Safe range 6.5 to 8.5 units. |
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PHENOLS(C6H5OH) Phenolic compounds in trace amounts less tan
1ppm can have significantly detrimental effects on water quality.
Phenols can cause water and fish to taste and smell unpleasant.
Phenols are toxic to mammals and fish. The US EPA recommends
a maximum of 1ppb for a total phenolic compounds in domestic water
supplies. In the presence of potassium ferricyanide, phenol acts as
an oxidizing agent and reacts with 4-Aminoantipyrine to form a colored
antipyrine dye. |
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Radon- A colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive
gas. Formed from the decay of naturally occurring minerals containing
radioactive elements. Radon becomes radon gas hen vaporized.
Radon gas has been linked to increased rates of lung cancer.
Scientists remain unclear of the effects of radon in drinking water.
Correct the problem with Aeration. Action level 300 pCi/L. |
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SALT - Ocean (TDS) It is important to know if tidal water or
wells near the sea are brackish.9( test determines if water has salt
content) |
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SULFIDE (S-2) - Hydrogen Sulfide (h3S) is a flammable, poisonous
gas with a characteristic rotten egg smell. Concentrations of
0.02 to 0.1 ppm are detectable by the average person. Hydrogen
sulfide is evolved from numerous environmental sources such as bacterial
decomposition of vegetables and animal material. It occurs naturally
as a component of crude oil, natural gas, volcanic gas, and sulfur
springs and also as a pollutant of a variety of industrial operations
including wastewater treatment plants. |
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TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS) on conductivity test for
dissolved materials in drinking water. TDS comprise inorganic salts
(principally calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates,
chlorides and sulfates) and some small amounts of organic matter that
are dissolve in water. TDS in drinking water originates from
natural sources, sewage, urban run-off, industrial wastewater, and
chemicals used in the water treatment process and the nature of the
piping or hardware used to convey the water, i.e., the plumbing.
In the United States, elevated TDS has been due to natural environmental
features such as: mineral springs, carbonate deposits, salt deposits,
and sea water intrusion, but other sources can include: salts used
for road de-icing, anti-skid materials, drinking water treatment chemicals,
storm water and agricultural runoff, an point/non-point wastewater
discharges. High TDS may effect the aesthetic quality of the water,
interfere with washing clothes and corroding plumbing fixtures. EPA
Secondary drinking water Standard is 500 ppm for TDS. |
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TURBIDITY AND COLOR-Visual haziness in water. Discolored
water may be caused by organic compounds or metallic ions. Turbidity
has no health effect, per se, but it can interfere with disinfectants
and provide a medium for bacteria to grow. Correct the problem
with filtration. EPA standard level 5 NTU. |
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ZINC (Zn+2) Zinc can occur naturally in drinking water.
However, contamination can also occur from galvanized pipes corroded
by acid or soft water. Zinc in water normally does not pose
a health risk, but high levels of zinc can cause temporary stomach
irritation. EPA standard Level 5mg/L. |
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U.S. Government
Links |
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***The descriptions above are summaries of some of the water
quality contaminants and their desired EPA Levels and should only
be used as a quick reference. |
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GO TO www.EPA.GOV and
www.epa.gov/waterscience web sites for the updated and current
Drinking water Standards and Health Advisories tables. |
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