WHAT IS A WATER SOFTENER? Before learning about water softeners, let’s first define hard water. Hard water is water that contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). If water has 1 or more gpg, it is considered hard. Hard water can cause many problems like dry…
First, why is Water Testing so Important? Water quality can no longer be taken for granted. There are many variables that can come into play: the possibility of contaminated water, our aging water distribution system, unknown well-water quality and the type of plumbing in your home. Many don’t realize it’s common for municipalities to supply…
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are the amount of organic and inorganic materials such as metals, minerals, salts, and ions that are dissolved in water. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refer to any inorganic salts (e.g., calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates) and small amounts of organic matter present in water. TDS can also include…
City water may be treated, but some municipal water supplies still require in-home water treatment. Although city water (water from a municipal water system) is usually treated before it reaches your home, most city water is still hard and contains some level of contaminants. Municipal water treatment plants are required to provide water that meets…
In recent times, many people in the United States have become aware of the challenges surrounding lead in schools. Most importantly awareness has piqued around the lead concentration in school water supplies that our children drink from, use to wash their hands and much more. According to a recent article written by Maggie Fox of NBC News, more…
85% of the US Geography has Hard Water. US Geological Survey Water is the lifeline of your home. It works day in and day out, but is it working for you? If you have hard water, that simply means it contains dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Hard water can be found in both private…
DID YOU KNOW …. ? The EPA estimates that more than 23 million households rely on private wells for drinking water in the United States, as of August 2021. Yet, the EPA is responsible for making sure that the public water supply within the United States is safe.; but the EPA does not monitor or treat private…
What are VOCs? Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are liquid or solid chemicals that can easily evaporate into gases. VOCs are a significant source of pollution in the environment, sometimes found in the groundwater beneath certain industrial businesses such as dry cleaners and gas stations. What are examples of VOCs in water? Because some of that chlorinated…
WHAT ARE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE? Blue-green algae also referred to as algae blooms or algal blooms, are a slimy green substance that forms a layer of scum on the surface of bodies of water like ponds, lakes and in some cases the ocean. The scientific term for the substance is cyanobacteria and it is, in fact,…
The signs you may need a water softening system in your home or business may include: What is the difference between hard and soft water? The hardness of water is determined primarily by the amount of calcium and magnesium it contains. Higher levels of these and other minerals make water hard. Water softening systems work by reducing the concentrations…