According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 15% of Americans rely on well water as a source of drinking water. There are many benefits to using a well to access drinking water, with one of the main ones being that it is cost efficient. However, many people have concerns is it okay to drink well water, and worry that the water might be contaminated.

Is It Okay to Drink Well Water

Well water is typically safe to drink, especially in the United States. However, because private wells are not covered by the EPA, this water is not regulated and therefore there is no guarantee that the water is safe. The following aspects should be considered when determining if your well water is safe:

• How was the well constructed? Ensure that your well was constructed properly and functions smoothly.
• How deep-seated is your well? It is suggested to have a well that is over 800 feet deep; as a rule of thumb, deeper wells produce cleaner water.
• What is the underground geology surrounding your well? Contaminants are more likely to enter well water in certain geological conditions, so be sure to place your well in an appropriate location.
• Which elements are more abundant in your location? Arsenic, copper, radon, and calcium are all naturally-occurring elements that can influence your water.
• Are you located near commercial farms or animal feeding operations? If so, there is a possibility of your well being contaminated with runoff pesticides or herbicides.

The most effective way to make sure that your well water is safe to drink is to get the water tested on a routine basis. Well water is perfectly safe to drink as long as it is not contaminated. Wells can quickly become contaminated with Coliform bacteria, nitrates, or other harmful contaminants, so getting the water tested at least once a year can help ease any worries of unsafe drinking water.

When you think of naturally clean water, chances are glacial water in the arctic will come to mind. Think about all the water bottle companies whose brand have a snowy mountain or glacier on the bottle: Aquafina, Ice Mountain, Evian to name a few. The purest natural water ever recorded to date was found in Puerto Williams, at the very bottom of Chile in South America. This archipelago is hidden from earth’s major air currents, allowing it to stay free from pollutants in the air, and does collect snow ice from the mountains bordering it.

The Purest and the Dirtiest Water in the World

The dirtiest water in a natural body is a tougher question to answer for the unfortunate reason that there are a lot of very nasty bodies of water out there. Two of the most contaminated sources of water are Lake Karachay in Russia and the Citarum River in Indonesia. The former is a nuclear waste dump, making it one of the most radioactive places in the world. It would be very unwise for anyone to get close to the lake, let alone swim or fish in it. The Citarum is a dumping ground for over 300 factories, making it home to plastics, chemical waste, and other forms of garbage. Large parts of this river are considered ecologically dead.

While we are fortunate to have safe drinking water in the majority of the United States, our country is not immune to biological mishaps that tend to be associated with Eastern Asian countries. We encourage you to research the purest and the dirtiest water in the world but to start with your state’s water health and voice concerns when warranted.

We all know what dirty water looks like and have had that thought: ‘there’s no way I would drink that!’ The dirty water eye test is a great way to avoid getting sick, but it is not the end-all-be-all test for ensuring your water is safe. In fact, looks can be very deceiving when it comes to water. Some water can have slight coloration and be perfectly fine to drink while other samples of water can look crystal clear and still make you sick. The reason for this is because of microbial water contaminants. These are very tiny chemicals that usually enter the water source early on and are not properly filtered out. They are a common occurrence around agriculture because of poor management of pesticide and fertilizer runoff or near industrial plants that have weak guidelines for pollutants. Some of these contaminants, listed out by the Water Quality Association, can cause serious health issues, most notably cancer.

Common Water Contaminants

• Aluminum
• Ammonia
• Arsenic
• Barium
• Cadmium
• Chloramine
• Chromium
• Copper
• E. coli
• Fluoride
• Giardia
• Lead
• Mercury
• Nitrates
• Nitrites
• Perchlorate
• Radium
• Selenium
• Silver
• Uranium

Using a service like Metro Water Filter can help protect yourself against common water contaminants. Call us today to learn more!

You use it to wash your dishes, to cook, and most importantly to stay hydrated. It is no secret that it’s important to know the water you use every day in your home is safe. The best way to determine your water quality is to have the water directly from your home tested off-site by a professional. Each home’s water source and connecting pipes may come in contact with different contaminants. However, as a start, it is a good idea to check EWG’s Tap Water Database to see possible contaminants found in your water source. Health departments should also have a list of the state-certified laboratories in your area that test for a variety of Water Quality Indicators (WQIs) and contaminants.

Is My Water Safe?

When testing, there are many harmful contaminants that can be found. Some increase the chances of cancer, some cause diarrhea and sickness, and some can affect neurological function. If you have a strange taste or smell to your water, this may be the first sign it is not safe. Common examples of this are sulfur and chlorine. Even if your senses don’t suspect anything of your water, there are many other contaminants that go unnoticed yet are still harmful. There are too many to cover every contaminant individually, but there are a few categories you should be aware of. Is My Water Safe?
Bacteria and viruses: According to the CDC, the top five most common causes of outbreaks in public water systems are all either bacteria or a virus. A UV light or UV disinfection system can kill most of these organisms.
Byproducts: These include pesticides, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals. These are more common in homes get their water from wells or springs.
Metals and Minerals: Lead, copper, iron, radon, arsenic, uranium, to name a few. Acidic water can corrode plumbing metals inputting contaminants in your water.
Though contaminants come in many different forms, fortunately, there are viable solutions for each. If you have concerns about your water contact Metro Water Filtration today!

There are two common causes of weird tasting water: chlorine and sulfur. Each have a different source but both can be fixed with the right filtration system. 

Why does my water taste weird?

Chlorine in Water

If the water in your home tastes a bit like pool water, you’re probably not alone. Most water in American homes has some level of chlorine. That’s because municipal water sources use chlorine to kill bacteria and other contaminants. While the EPA monitors the levels of chlorine in water and states the regulated concentration does not cause any harm, the US Council of Environmental Quality reports people using chlorinated water have as much as a 93 percent higher risk of cancer. So while chlorine is a cheap and effective way at purifying water, studies have shown that chlorine is a carcinogen, and even at the low regulated concentrations can increase the likelihood of cancer. Now that you know why does my water taste weird, the taste of your water might not be your biggest concern! Fortunately, activated carbon filters can effectively remove all chlorine from your home water supply. Testing for chlorine is a simple process and can be done on-site in a matter of minutes. Whether you dislike the taste of your water or want to eliminate the health hazards that come with chlorine, Metro Water Filter can help find the best solution for your home.

Sulfur in Water

If your water tastes metallic or sour, you may have significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide in your water. Hydrogen sulfide is easy to detect even in small concentrations because of its bad “rotten egg” smell. However, water only tastes bad when there are significantly high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide present. At this level of concentration, there is a much higher risk for health problems. Hydrogen sulfide is produced by decaying vegetation and can seep into water sources such as wells. Wells built near coal, oil, shale or sandstone also often have hydrogen sulfide. Not only can it make your water smell and sometimes taste weird, it can also corrode silverware, pipes, and appliances in your house. In the worst case, sulfur water may be a sign of sewage pollution and contain dangerous bacteria. Treatment includes iron filters and chlorinators. The most common and effective solution is the use of chlorine bleach in chlorinators. While chlorine itself can become a problem as mentioned above, all of Metro Water Filter’s chlorinators are installed with a carbon cartridge filter to remove the chlorine once it has treated the sulfur.

A recent install for a client in Monroe. The well water had several ‘flags’ including Low PH, Manganese, Iron, as well as high levels of Hardness Minerals. What’s New at Metro Water Filtration? We installed the multi-filter system in the pumphouse, and the water is now how it should be- for the entire home!

Lake Oconee Platinum Sponsor for the 2019 “The Big Event” is your very own Metro Water Filtration team! Please read the article below.

Lake Oconee News Article

Behind oxygen, water is the most essential need for humans. We drink it every day and often without much thought. Many people have never considered the quality of their water to be a concern. If it’s clear and tastes okay, its fine. However, the eyes and tongue don’t catch everything. Why Should I Filter My Water? Research has shown that tap water can carry hundreds of different contaminants, often at unnoticeable levels. While drinking a glass of water contaminated at this level won’t harm you, over a lifetime, these contaminants can cause damage to your body.

Why Should I Filter My Water?

EWG states that tap water can contain “a dose of industrial or agricultural contaminants linked to cancer, brain and nervous system damage, developmental defects, fertility problems or hormone disruption.” While the EPA regulates the level of many of these contaminants, there are many not regulated. Even the water from the best water treatment facility must travel through miles of pipes to reach your home. Water en route can come into contact with various different pollutants and organisms. The best way to ensure the best water quality for your home is to filter as close to the source as possible.

Unfortunately, there is not one catch-all filter. It is important to have your water tested so you know which filter you need. As a start, you can visit EWG’s Tap Water Database, or contact your local health department. Metro Water Filter also offers both on-site and off-site (more in-depth) testing. Depending on your water source, a professional will know what to test for and what kind of filter will be best for your water.

As one of our most basic and frequent needs, water should be as clean as possible. While the EPA and national water system do a good job providing drinkable water, home specific filtration is the best way to provide location specific solutions and ensure the cleanest water.