Metallic Water Taste There may be a number of reasons why your water has a metallic taste. Trace amounts of iron, manganese, zinc, and copper are common water contaminates that produce metallic water taste. Low pH (potential Hydrogen) levels can also cause metallic tasting water. Understand that pH levels are a measure of acidity or…
Uranium Uranium is a naturally occurring element in groundwater and is more common in some of mountain areas of the state more than others. However, there is little information on where uranium may be found. Uranium gets into drinking water when groundwater dissolves minerals that contain uranium. The amount of uranium in well water will…
Flouride Fluoride in your drinking water? Fluoride occurs naturally in New York and is the 13th most abundant mineral in the earths crust. As such, it is frequently present in municipal water supplies and water samples taken from drilled wells. Fluoride has no taste, color or odor and thus the only way to determine its…
What is Arsenic? Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. It is odorless and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks and soil, water, air, and plants and animals. It can be further released into the environment…
New York Water Well Owners should take Radon in water very seriously! The EPA estimates that radon breathed in the home is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually. Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and smokers who are exposed to Radon have an even higher risk of developing lung cancer.…
“Salty Tasting” Water If you have ever drank a glass of water that had a salty aftertaste it could be due to a presence of chloride ions and/or sulfates in your water supply. In many areas of Upstate New York, salt and salt water is naturally occurring at both shallow and deep depths and in…
Green / Blue Corrosion Stains Blue-green stains on your faucets and tubs are usually caused by tap water that’s slightly acidic (low-pH) or corrosive. You may also see blue laundry spots and drinking water may be bitter. When low-pH water flows through copper pipes, it can cause copper (and lead) to leach into your water.…
Pink “Slimy” Stains Pink stains and slime around toilet bowl waterlines, on shower curtains and on fixtures are caused by airborne bacterium called Serratia Marcescens. These bacterium thrive on moisture, so it’s fitting that pink slime and stains form in wet areas. This is actually not a water issue and the best way to combat…
Black Stains / Manganese A common water issue in New York is high manganese. This causes black or brown stains and residue buildup on sinks, toilets, tubs and showers. Many people experience this problem with water wells alongside elevated iron levels. Even if your water appears clear, iron and manganese can still produce staining and…
Forever Chemicals: Water Contamination from PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS The introduction of per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFASs) in the mid-twentieth century unleashed a wave of persistent and toxic chemicals into the environment, contaminating everything from food and drinking water to the dust around us. Also known as “forever chemicals,” these substances continue to persist…