Problem Water

Hard Water Taste and Odor Iron

Las Vegas has some of the hardest water in the country. Hard Water is easily spotted because it creates a bathtub ring. Hardness minerals and soap collect to form a scum that appears on shower walls, clings to hair, clogs skin pores and makes house cleaning difficult. Hard water also can clog pipes, cause water heaters to operate inefficiently, and increase maintenance on water-using appliances. Hard water is caused by water passing through rock formations and picking up calcium and magnesium. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon.

Treatment Water hardness is corrected by the use of a water softener / conditioner. The hard water passes through a tank containing resin beads holding sodium ions. The calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for sodium ions thus softening the water. When the beads have trapped all the hardness they can hold, the unit is regenerated (recharged) with salt brine to replace the hardness ions with sodium ions. The unit is then ready to soften water again. The number of grains per gallon are measured and combined with water usage statistics to accurately calculate and set equipment regeneration cycles.

Taste and Odor

Since The Las Vegas Water District uses chlorine to purify our water supply the taste and odor can be awful. Other things that can cause bad tastes and odors in water are decaying organic matter, and dissolved gases or minerals. The presence of hydrogen sulfide, which tastes and smells like rotten eggs or sulfur is caused by decaying vegetation and oil deposits beneath the earth's surface. Although taste and odor does not normally cause physical problems it can be very objectionable.

Treatment

A tank filter containing activated carbon can easily treat most tastes and odors. The carbon absorbs the taste or odor. A single-faucet filter can treat minor problems. Hydrogen sulfide is a different problem requiring a different type of treatment. Low levels of hydrogen sulfide can be treated with an iron filter followed by a water softener, while high levels require a chemical feed pump followed by a turbidity filter.

Total dissolved solids testing or lab tests cannot detect except drinking water contaminants. Depending on the contaminant, there are various methods of treating water. Carbon filters, reverse osmosis-drinking water systems and distillers are a few.

Iron

Iron in water is a common problem. Since iron makes up five percent of the earth's crust, water absorbs it as it passes through the ground and into underground aquifers, wells and surface waters. Unfortunately, iron creates some annoying problems. Iron is generally found in well water, although city water users are not immune from the problems associated with it.

Iron typically rears its ugly head as rusty orange/brown stains, streaks or spots on clothing cleaned in a washing machine. Stains also appear on bathtubs, sinks and faucets. Even small amounts of iron can cause problems. Iron in concentrations as low as .3 parts per million can cause staining. And iron staining can be difficult to remove; cleaning may require special solvents. Iron can also clog pipes and damage the internal parts of water-using appliances.

Iron exists in three common forms: elemental iron, ferrous iron and ferric iron. The elemental form of iron is found in the ground. Ferrous iron is in a dissolved state within a water supply and will not cause any discoloration, although a distinct metallic taste will be present. When the dissolved iron reacts with oxygen however, ferric iron results. Ferric iron turns the water a hazy, reddish-brown color and makes it very unappealing. Ferric iron stains bathtubs, sinks and fixtures when it comes in contact with them. Even though iron is generally dissolved in water, when the water is drawn from the tap, the iron reacts with the oxygen in the air and enters the ferric state. In some cases, water may already carry ferric iron when it's drawn from a faucet, and may appear discolored.

Treatment

No matter which form iron appears in, there is a solution available. Typically one of the following two methods is used:

Water Conditioners can remove average amounts of dissolved iron from a family's water supply. Multi-Stage Iron Removal Systems can also help when iron appears in excessive amounts. This type of treatment leaves the water clean and clear. In some cases, special filters can perform both the oxidation and filtration functions.

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