What can be found in your water?

When it comes to town water supply, councils are mandated by the government to maintain a certain level of water quality. However, this doesn't mean that the water is completely free from impurities. Chlorine is a common additive used to keep the pipes clean, but it can also have negative effects on your health and the environment.

Moreover, despite their efforts, councils have a limited budget and distance to cover in delivering water to your property. This means that the water may still contain impurities, such as heavy metals, pesticides, or other harmful chemicals.

It is important to be aware of what is in your water, as it can have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing. For example, exposure to heavy metals like lead and mercury can cause neurological and developmental problems, while exposure to pesticides has been linked to cancer and other serious health issues.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure that the water in your home is clean and safe to drink. Installing a water filtration system can help to remove impurities such as chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants. This will not only improve the taste and quality of your drinking water, but also protect your health and the environment.

In conclusion, while councils do their best to provide clean and safe water to your home, it's important to be aware of what is in your water and take action to ensure that it's free from harmful impurities. With the right water filtration system, you can enjoy clean, safe, and refreshing water straight from your tap.

Below is a list of common contaminants possible in water and with possible related issues.

CONTAMINANTS

SOURCE

PROBLEMS

Arsenic

Geothermal areas

Health problems

Bacteria

Septic tanks, bird and animal feces, back flushing from incorrectly connected W.C. bowls, sewage discharges

Diarrhea, Gastroenteritis

Other waterborne disease

Boron

Geothermal areas

Health problems

Carbon dioxide

Atmosphere and decaying vegetation

Corrosion

Chemicals

Backflow (suck-back) from incorrectly connected dosing equipment, cattle feeding systems, garden hoses dangling in container etc

Health problems depending on the nature of chemical contaminants.

Colour

Decaying vegetation

Appearance

Copper

Dissolved from pipes or taps by aggressive water

Staining, taste

Feacal material

Backflow (suck-back) from incorrectly connected waste disposal equipment animal washdowns, etc

Diarrhea, Gastrointestinal infection

Hardness

Dissolved rocks

Soap demand

Scale formation in kettles and Hot water tanks

Iron

Dissolved rocks, especially in bore water

Taste, Staining, Clogging of pipes and valves

Manganese

Dissolved rocks

Taste, Staining

Nitrates

Fertilisers, clover, Septic tank soakage

Can cause health problems for bottle fed babies

pH

Atmosphere, decaying vegetation, dissolved rocks

Corrosion if too low, Scale forming if too high

Protozoan cysts, eg Giardia

Cryptosporidium

Septic tanks: bird and animal feces on roofs, in streams; sewage discharges

Diarrhea, Protozoan infection

Taste and odour

Algae

Unpleasant to drink, Can be toxic

Turbidity

Dirt

Appearance (usually biologically Contaminated as well)

Viruses

Sewage, bird and animal feces

Gastroenteritis

Other waterborne diseases