If you are concerned about the water quality in your home, you aren’t alone. Although the municipal water supply in and around Cheshire, CT is tested and safe, there is room for improvement in the water that comes out of your taps. In addition, just because water is safe to drink doesn’t mean that it tastes or smells good.
And if you are not part of a municipal water system and use a well, your water might taste fine, but it still has contaminants. Fortunately, you can get your water tested, and there are several ways to improve its quality based on those results.
Testing Options
You may notice certain issues with your water. For example, maybe it doesn’t taste quite right, or your clothes do not come out of the laundry as clean as you would like. Getting your water tested is the first step toward improving it, since a test can pinpoint precisely what the problem is.
There are a few options for water testing. You can get a kit to do the testing at home, but you run the risk of less accurate results. These home kits also might not be as thorough in identifying a wide range of contaminants.
A better option is to use a professional water testing service that understands local water conditions. The Connecticut Department of Public Health maintains a list of approved laboratories for private well testing. Homeowners typically pick up a sample kit from the lab or have one mailed to them, collect water from a kitchen or outdoor faucet according to the instructions, and return it for analysis. Results usually include details on bacteria, nitrates, pH levels, and possible contaminants like lead or arsenic.
Potential Impurities in Your Tap Water
There are several factors that can impact the taste, smell, appearance, or safety of your tap water. It’s essential first to identify the exact problem so that you can apply the appropriate solution.
Hard Water
Hard water is a common problem in many places, including the Cheshire area. The term refers to water that has a high mineral content, especially calcium and magnesium. Hard water is perfectly safe, but it doesn’t lather well. That means it can make washing clothes and dishes more difficult, and it can leave buildup known as limescale in your pipes and in appliances such as your dishwasher and hot water heater. It can also dry out your skin and hair.
Byproducts From Disinfecting Water
Most municipal water is treated with a form of chlorine in order to keep it safe. This chlorine or related chemicals aren’t added in levels that can cause you any harm, but there can be a lingering taste or smell that some people find unpleasant.
Other Contamination
Even though water is safe when it leaves the water treatment facility, it may become contaminated along the way. The pipes that your water travels through on its way to your house could be old and subject to cracking or corrosion. There are several potential sources of contamination. These include industrial and agricultural runoff, algae, bacteria, and viruses. Additionally, old pipes in your home may be made of materials that can contaminate your water.
If you rely on well water, contamination risks can be even higher since the water bypasses municipal treatment. Runoff from nearby farms can introduce pesticides, herbicides, and nitrates into the groundwater. Failing septic systems, road salt, or nearby industrial activity can also seep into private wells. In some areas of Connecticut, including parts of Cheshire, naturally occurring minerals like arsenic or uranium may also be present. Because well water quality can change over time, even without noticeable signs, it’s important to test your well at least once a year for bacteria, nitrates, and any region-specific contaminants.
Solutions for Contaminants in Your Tap Water
The good news is that there are a number of potential solutions that can keep your tap water both safe and tasty. You don’t need to drill a new well or buy bottled water for the rest of your life. There are a number of whole-home solutions to poor water quality.
Water Softeners
Water softeners can reduce the hardness of the water in your home. If water testing reveals that hardness is the only issue, you can install a water softener to resolve the problem. A water softener can also work alongside other whole-home filtration devices if there are additional water quality problems that you want to address.
Types of Home Water Filtration Systems
You may be familiar with basic water filters, such as those used in pitchers or built into refrigerators. While convenient, they are limited in what they remove and only treat a small portion of your household water. They won’t improve the quality of water you use for bathing, cleaning, or washing clothes.
Whole-house filtration systems offer a more comprehensive approach. Sediment filters target larger particles like clay, sand, rust, dirt, and silt. However, they don’t remove smaller contaminants such as bacteria or viruses. Many homeowners use sediment filters as a pre-filter to protect and extend the life of more advanced filtration systems.
Carbon filters are another option. These use a process called adsorption, in which contaminants adhere to the surface of the carbon. They’re effective at removing chlorine taste and odor, as well as pollutants like copper, lead, pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds. However, they are not effective against certain substances, including mercury, arsenic, or microbial contaminants.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective water filtration methods available for home use. It can remove a wide range of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, bacteria, viruses, and various chemicals. Because it filters out much smaller particles than sediment or carbon filters, it is often used together with them. The sediment and carbon filters handle larger particles and impurities first, which helps the reverse osmosis system operate more efficiently.
The system works by pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks contaminants while allowing clean water to pass through. Reverse osmosis can also soften water to some extent, although homes with very hard water may still need a separate water softener.
Improving Water Quality in Your Home
Before deciding how to improve your water quality, consider the results of your water test along with your budget. Other factors may also influence your choice, such as whether anyone in your household has a compromised immune system. In those cases, it may be worth investing in more robust water purification systems even if your water currently meets safety standards.
Cheshire’s Best Water Treatment Services
At F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we have been serving the residents of Cheshire, CT for decades. In addition to installing water softeners, filtration systems, and reverse osmosis units, we offer a variety of other plumbing services to improve the quality of your water, including repiping. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced plumbers.
