Hard water is caused by high mineral content in the water. These minerals are calcium and magnesium. They accumulate in your water through the water’s natural cycle. Calcium and magnesium leech to water as it runs over rocks and through soil. The threat of hard water varies across the country. Do you live in a hard water area?

Chlorine is often used as a disinfectant. It’s commonly found in swimming pools so bacteria doesn’t collect in the water making it smell. Many water treatment centers add chlorine to their water so harmful bacteria doesn’t make its way to your house. But too much chlorine can be harmful to your health.

If your water ever tastes metallic or leaves behind a distinct reddish stain, iron is present. Much like hard water, iron is present because the water is flowing over iron-bearing rocks. There are 2 types of iron contamination: ferrous and ferric. A water softener is the best way to fight back against iron.

The smell of rotten eggs is not pleasant. You can blame this on hydrogen sulfide. This gas smells like sulfur and is created by oil deposits and decaying vegetation beneath the earth’s surface. It gets in your water through metal corrosion and having a faulty water heater.

Cloudy, dirty water is caused by sediments. These come from sand, dirt or other inorganic matter getting into wells, or by run-off of matter into the water supply. The cloudiness is simply these materials floating in the water. Sediments are more of a visual concern for people and can be removed by most filtration systems. 

If you’re noticing bluish-green stains inside your toilet tank or on your fixtures, your water has a low pH level. Anything measuring less than 7 pH is considered acidic. Your water is acidic because of pollutions, whether it’s from airborne pollutants, runoff from a mining spoil or the decomposition of plant materials.

Lead differs from other contaminants in that it rarely occurs naturally in a raw water supply. It gets in your water after it leaves the treatment plant. It dissolves in your water from old lead piping, lead solder or brass faucets. There is no safe level for lead exposure.

Nitrates often find their way into your water supply through the use of fertilizer. Spring water is vulnerable to this type of contamination when excess fertilizer isn’t fully absorbed by soil or crops. People in rural communities should test their water for nitrates because it is odorless and tasteless.

Microbiologicals include any type of organic materials such as algae, mold and bacteria. These materials cause your water to taste and smell earthy or woody. State and federal governments require water distribution centers to provide biologically safe water, but private wells do not.