Water is one of the most abundant substances on the planet. But when we talk about water, we’re usually talking about clean, fresh water that we can easily use to bathe or drink. This, ironically enough, is not the most common way that water is found. If you’ll remember from your earth sciences class years ago, the most abundant form of water on the planet is salt water. All of the other types of water that are found usually have substances dissolved in them that can be harmful or detrimental to people.
Most water sources are treated for basic contaminants, but we think it’s important for homeowners to uncover what those contaminants might be. And for a few of our customers who are using well water and purchasing their own reverse osmosis systems in Rainier, WA for purification, this blog post can enlighten them as to what is being filtered out.
So, what is in your water before it gets treated? Let’s take a look!
Natural Minerals
Here in Washington, the most abundant mineral we see in the drinking supply is Chromium. It’s an odorless, tasteless, and metallic element that is pretty much everywhere around us. Unless the level of Chromium (or other minerals) is very high, it is safe to drink and use in various different ways. So, why are we talking about it?
Well, Chromium in high levels can be toxic for drinking. And, to top it all off, it can be irritating to your skin, hair, and eyes if it’s in your bathing water. This would be what we consider “hard water” and it can usually be filtered out with a water softener. This is just something to be aware of as a Rainier, WA resident.
Trihalomethanes (THMs)
When water is treated, either through a local municipality or other water treatment source, there’s a substance called Trihalomethane that can exist in the water. This starts as a naturally occurring substance, usually from decaying vegetation, and reacts with chlorine in treated water to create a toxic substance. At low levels, it’s nothing to be concerned about. But if homeowners consume this substance at high levels over many years, it can increase a risk of bladder cancer and other health complications.
Chloroform
We also need to be concerned with chemicals that come from local factories and paper mills. One of the most common chemicals in Washington is chloroform, which has strict regulations set about by the EPA. Chloroform can also come from chemicals to treat drinking water, like chlorine, which can be bad for your health in high amounts. Over time, exposure to large amounts of chloroform can damage your liver and kidneys, and it can even make you immediately sick.
What Can You Do?
First, we’d like our readers to take a deep breath. These substances do damage over time, so the urgency of needing a water purifier isn’t as high as people might think. But they’re definitely a high priority and require professional support. We’d start by testing your water and investing in a reverse osmosis water purifier. Then, consult with a pro from our team to see if you could use additional water treatment systems.
Contact American Pump and Drilling. We’re the experts in getting fresh water from the reservoir to your tap!