| Alkalinity |
Measures the hydroxyl, carbonate, and bicarbonate content of water, which indicates the water’s acid neutralizing capability. These elements are important in corrosion control. |
| Arsenic |
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element which contributes to various cancers, neurological disorders and circulatory problems. Arsenic is an “accumulative enabler” which can build up in the body, reducing the body’s ability to resist problems. The EPA standard was lowered from .050 mg/L to .010 mg/L because of the long term health issues affected by consumption of arsenic. All About Arsenic |
| Bacteria, Coliform |
Coliform bacteria can be plant or soil bacteria but this family of bacteria also includes pathogenic organisms. One colony is considered a fail, so this test is done on a presence / absence basis. |
Bacteria,
E-Coli |
E coli bacteria come from the intestines of warm-blooded animals and represents a serious water quality problem. The water should not be consumed, and the source should be found and stopped. One colony is considered a fail, so this test is done on a presence / absence basis. |
| Chloramines |
Chloramines are a combination of chlorine and ammonia that are added to public water supplies to prevent bacteria. The combination of chlorine and ammonia reduces the presence of “disinfection by-products” which are normally caused when surface water supplies are chlorinated. All About Cholarmines |
| Chlorides |
Some natural chloride occurs in this region; but most elevated levels are due to road salting or sea water intrusion near the coast. The water will begin to taste salty at 250 mg/L. The presence of chlorides in water can cause damage to copper plumbing systems, leading to pin-hole leaks or pitting of fixtures. |
| Chlorine |
Chlorine is added to some public water supplies to prevent bacteria. While successful in stopping the spread of numerous diseases, chlorine is associated with off tastes to the water, and can cause carcinogenic “disinfection by-products” when surface water supplies are chlorinated. |
| Clay |
Clay is one of the most common materials in the crust of the earth, the result of millions of years of break down and weathering of the rocks that make up this planet. It is composed of a fine grained deposit of minerals and is able to hold water. Clay particles range in size from 4 microns to .005 microns in diameter, which is far smaller than the human eye can detect. When mixed with water, clay particles form a colloidal suspension, i.e., the particles separate from each other and become suspended between the water molecules. Because their size is so small, gravity cannot overcome the forces that suspend them in water, so they stay in the water instead of settling out. Usually, the clay suspension cannot be seen. If soluble iron or manganese is in the water, it can stick to the clay. When this happens, the iron or manganese is dragged through a water softener and shows up when oxidized, leaving the characteristic rust, beige or black staining associated with those metals. Clay can also remain on a person’s skin, causing the skin to feel very dry, almost like a film on the skin. The water may have a yellow or pale yellow color to it, which does not precipitate or settle out. A pale colored powdery dust can eventually appear in the toilet bowl. The house might show signs of iron or manganese even though their water treatment system checks out mechanically. Click here for more about Clay |
| Color |
A measurement of the color of water; in this region color is usually due to the presence of iron, clays or organic matter. When iron is dissolved in water it has no color but as the iron precipitates the water will take on a color from beige to rusty. Clays can be present in microscopic amounts with no color, but as the clay content increases the color may actually become beige or yellow. Some clays hang in a suspension in the water that does not settle out. Organic matter such as tannins can give the water a tea color. |
| Copper |
Copper will be found in the water when conditions such as low pH or the presence of chlorides make the water corrosive to copper plumbing systems. Copper leaves a blue-green stain behind when the water evaporates. Water with dissolved copper can taste “like a penney”. |
| Fluoride |
Fluoride is an important element with benefits for bones and teeth; however beyond a beneficial level it will begin to cause problems with bones and teeth. It is important to test well water prior to giving infants fluoride supplements. Fluoride has a two-tiered standard with 2 mg/L being the secondary or aesthetic standard, a level where excess fluoride might cause staining to the teeth. At the primary standard of 4 mg/L, the excess fluoride can pose a health hazard. |
| Hardness |
Usually made up of calcium carbonate with some possible magnesium. Hardness will precipitate when the water is heated, forming a scale on heating elements and surfaces. Hardness combines with cleaning products, forming an insoluble curd, which impacts the effectiveness of cleaning activities. Water does not lather well. |
| Hydrogen Sulfide |
Hydrogen Sulfide refers to the “rotten egg odor” that is common in this region’s water. Odors tend to dissipate quickly so it is very difficult for labs to quantify odors; labs measure odors based on a dilution process. |
| Iron |
Iron is a natural occurring mineral that is present in our bedrock. The standard of .3 mg/L is set because this is the level where staining (laundry, toilets, appliances) will normally occur. This is an aesthetic issue. |
| Lead |
In this region lead will be found in the water due to the previous use of lead solder in plumbing systems, or due to the small lead content of some brass fixtures. A serious health issue, especially for young children. |
| Manganese |
A natural mineral, usually present only in trace amounts. The standard of .05 mg/L is set because this is the level where staining will normally occur. This is an aesthetic issue. When manganese is present at very high levels it may be an indication of surface water intrusion. |
| MtBE |
Methyl tertiary butyl ether is a gasoline additive that is believed to be carcinogenic. There is no EPA standard yet. The state of NH uses 13 ug/L as a guideline. |
| Nitrates |
A natural phenomenon due to the decomposition of organic matter; can be elevated due to agricultural practices or lawn fertilization. Dangerous for babies or pregnant women, nitrates interfere with the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. |
| Nitrite |
In addition to the issues related to nitrate, the presence of nitrite also can imply problems from human or animal waste or wastewater disposal. Bacteria should also be evaluated when nitrites are elevated. |
| Organics/ Tannins |
The term organics refers to a large category of natural contaminants that are related to the decomposition of natural organic matter, such as plants and trees. Sometimes organics are called tannins, lignins, or humins and they are associated with tastes, odors and color. Organics are a possible indicator of surface water intrusion. Surface water can reach a drilled well because a new vein has opened up, (sometimes related to blasting or the drilling of new wells in the area, or earth tremors), the casing seal is separated from the bedrock, from a leak in the casing pipe, or can simply be the result of the local geology. Click here for more information about Organics |
| pH |
A measure of the relative acidity of the water. 7 is neutral; below 7 is acidic. In this region even a slightly low pH can contribute to corrosion of the plumbing, indicated by a blue-green stain that is left where water sits. |
| Radium |
A radioactive element present in certain deep wells in NH. Consuming water with dissolved radium is associated with bone cancer. All About Radiologicals |
| Radon |
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is the result of the decay of uranium and radium that are naturally occurring in our granite. Radon presents a risk when the air is breathed; it contributes to the risk of lung cancer. The EPA standard for radon has not yet been finalized; in the absence of an EPA standard the states set their own guidelines. NH uses 2000 pCi/L, MA uses 10000 pCi/L. pCI/L means pico Curies per liter, the way in which radioactive gases are measured. All About Radiologicals |
| Sediment |
As water flows through the ground and gets drawn into plumbing systems, it can carry solids along with it. These solids will appear as sediments that will settle out in the bathtub, toilet bowl, or will clog screens on washing machines and faucets. The most common causes of sediments in this region are mica chips, sand, clay,and precipitated iron. In addition, dissolved minerals such as hardness can precipitate in the household hot water heating system, leading to a sediment that only appears in the hot water. |
| Sodium |
Some natural sodium occurs in this region; but most elevated levels are due to road salting or sea water intrusion near the coast. A salty taste that is strong but flushes away may be due to a water softener that requires maintenance. |
| Sulfate |
A natural mineral which contributes to an annoying white crust left where water evaporates. At extremely high levels sulfate can lead to gastro-intestinal distress. |
| TDS |
Total Dissolved Solids, which is a measurement, in milligrams per liter, of the dissolved mineral content of water. |
| Turbidity |
A measurement of the clarity of the water; in this region high turbidity is usually due to iron, clay or silt. |
| Uranium |
A radioactive element present in certain deep wells in NH. Consuming water with dissolved uranium is associated with kidney damage and certain cancers. All About Radiologicals |
| Volatiles & Synthetics |
Hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) are found in water. Many are the result of gasoline spills, industrial activities or agricultural practices. The causes and health issues associated with any of these compounds must be researched individually. |
