Fix All Types of Water Quality Issues in Halifax
If the water quality in your home’s supply is not suitable, you may struggle with difficulty in washing clothes, poorly cleaned dishes, skin issues and more. But don’t worry as long as Rockingham Hardware Ltd is there. We offer a host of services to fix various water quality issues such as water hardness, corrosion, odour, bacteria infestation and more in Halifax and surrounding areas. Contact us to get your water system repaired to ensure a clean supply of water at your property. Read on to learn about common issues related to water supply that we can fix.
Hard Water Issues
Hard water can cause issues with cleaning tasks such as laundry, dishwashing, and personal grooming. It can cause clothes to look dingy and feel rough, dishes and glasses to have spots, and hair to become dull and sticky. Hard water can also leave soap scum on surfaces, reduce water flow in pipes, and contribute to the inefficient operation or failure of water-using appliances. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon, milligrams per liter (mg/l), or parts per million (ppm), and it can be classified as soft, slightly hard, moderately hard, hard, or very hard based on the amount of hardness minerals present. Here is a table to interpret your hard water test results:
Corrosion
Corrosion can have significant costs and impacts on your health, water quality, and household plumbing. It can cause hot water heaters to be less efficient and fail prematurely, damage plumbing and fixtures, and lead to the formation of red or greenish-blue stains. Corrosive water can also impart a bitter taste to your water due to elevated levels of metals, prompting the purchase of bottled water. Additionally, consuming water with high levels of toxic metals like lead and copper has been linked to acute and chronic health issues.
Arsenic
High arsenic levels in Nova Scotia groundwater is quite common. The maximum arsenic concentration is 10 parts per billion. Prolonged exposure to high levels of arsenic can pose serious health effects. For this reason regular testing for arsenic levels is recommended. We offer systems to reduce arsenic levels to below maximum acceptable concentration.
Uranium
In Nova Scotia, high concentrations of uranium, a heavy metal like arsenic, are prevalent. The recommended maximum acceptable concentration is 20 parts per billion. Prolonged exposure to high levels of uranium can lead to severe health risks, making regular testing for uranium levels imperative. We provide treatment systems to effectively reduce uranium levels below the recommended limit.
Tannins
Tannins are commonly found in surface water sources like rivers and lakes. Tannins in well waters form from humic acid, which is one of the major components of humic substances (or Natural Organic Matter (NOM). These are the dark brown constituents of soil organic matter. They can also be found in peat, coal, many upland streams and ocean water. The term is widely applied to refer to the brown colour in water, caused by decaying organic substances. Tannins can be removed using self-cleaning automatic filters that function through ion-exchange with anion exchange media. These filters are cost-effective solutions for shallow wells experiencing high tannin levels during heavy rainfall.
Sediment
High sediment levels can occur in surface water supplies (dug wells, lakes and rivers and although not generally a health concern can be aesthetically unpleasing and interfere with washing, laundry, etc. We offer systems to reduce sediment by cartridge filtration or backwashing filters.
Iron and Manganese
Iron and manganese can be a nuisance in water supplies, causing staining of laundry, dishes, and fixtures. They can also affect the flavour and colour of food and water. Iron is a more common contaminant, while manganese is typically found in iron-bearing water. These contaminants can accumulate in pipelines and water heaters, reducing water quantity and pressure. That can result in poor water supply. Iron and manganese bacteria, which feed on these elements, can cause clogs and slime buildup in toilet tanks.
Odour
Sulphates and hydrogen sulphide are two common sources of odour in drinking water. Sulphates are found in some soil and rock formations and can cause scale build-up in water pipes, bitter taste in water, and difficulty in cleaning clothes. Hydrogen sulphide gas, on the other hand, produces an offensive odour and taste resembling rotten eggs or sulphur water. It can also cause corrosion of metal pipes, discoloration of utensils, and staining of fixtures. Both sulphate and hydrogen sulphide can be caused by naturally occurring bacteria, particularly in oxygen-deficient environments such as water heaters and plumbing systems. We can provide suitable fixes to remove these odour causing chemicals from your water.
Bacteria
Bacterial contamination is a major concern for drinking water safety, and it primarily comes from human and animal waste. This can occur through runoff from feedlots, pastures, and other areas where animal waste is deposited, as well as seepage or discharge from septic tanks, sewage treatment facilities, and soil/plant bacteria. Insects, rodents, and animals can also contaminate wells if they enter through poorly sealed casings.
Flood waters and surface runoff are additional sources of bacterial contamination, especially in older water systems like dug wells and cistern-type systems that may not have water-tight casings. Bacterial contamination cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste, so private water supplies should be tested regularly for bacterial safety, such as when a new well is constructed or an existing one is returned to service, and whenever bacterial contamination is suspected or indicated by a laboratory test. Lending agencies often require private water supplies to be tested before approving home loans.