There are multiple sources of safe drinking water. Tap water is one of them. Although many countries have an unlimited supply of reliable tap water, which is safe to drink, there is always a high chance of water being contaminated even after going through the filtration process. Water contamination is a frequent occurrence. Clean water is a necessary element for a healthy life. Contamination is not always detectable, but many signs point out the issues with the quality of water. The most common signs are listed below.
You can always taste the difference with drinking water and since it’s a significant part of your daily routine, it is normal to get paranoid with the taste of the water when there’s something wrong with it. There are always taste, smell, and appearance issues with contaminated water.
Smell
- Rotten egg smell: Whenever the water smells like rotten eggs, there’s a high chance it has sulfur in it. This mineral is commonly found in many water systems, although it isn’t a huge issue. It’s not injurious to anyone’s health but the smell can be unpleasant to deal with.
- Chlorine smell: If your water strongly smells like chlorine, then its most likely to be present in a high amount. Chlorine is usually added to kill bacteria, but it doesn’t smell if added in the right quantity. The easiest way to get rid of the chlorine smell is through the most reliable water treatment options and filtration systems.
- Fish or moldy smell: Smell of fish or mold is unusual. If found, this could mean there are growing bacteria in the water and should be treated immediately.
Taste
- Metallic taste: Taste buds are quick sensors that work effectively in detecting unusual tastes and poor-quality water. Metals like copper, iron, lead, manganese are found at a high level in water that tastes like metal. The buildup of these minerals is a natural process but can be treated through solid water systems.
- Salty taste: When your water tastes too salty, it’s most likely to contain high levels of sodium. Intake of sodium in a great amount can be very damaging to a person’s health which is why it’s crucial to check sodium levels beforehand. Water filtration systems are the perfect solution to this issue.
Appearance
- Cloudy: If the water appears milky, cloudy or grey, it’s best to avoid drinking it. Cloudiness indicates the presence of minerals like magnesium in the water. Although magnesium and calcium aren’t considered dangerous, it’s also not considered healthy. Cloudiness can also be built up because of dirt in the pipes or air bubbles in the water.
- Brown stains: If the water leaves any brown stains on any surface it’s been in contact with, then its most likely the water has iron in it. Filtration systems and softeners can resolve this issue easily. If you see dirt settling down at the bottom of your glass or sink, then you should immediately install a filter to meditate the issue. This type of water is known as hard water as they contain a high amount of calcium, iron, and magnesium hard water tends to leave brown or orange stains and spots whenever in contact with metal or ceramic surfaces.
It is always important to know the sources where your water supply comes from. In case of tap water contamination, it is vital to install reliable filtration water systems to ensure clean tap water comes through all the time.
