What Does It All Mean?
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Some Vocabulary Worth Knowing:
Total Alkalinity: it the ability of water to resist change in pH, a low total alkalinity may cause your water to appear cloudy and contribute to scaling. When the total alkalinity is too high, the pH tends to be high as well.
Total Chlorine: consists of both free chlorine and combined (already reacted) chlorine. Free chlorine affects the taste and odor of your water and may irritate your skin and eyes. Chlorine is used to disinfect water in both private and Public Water Systems. However, during the disinfection process, excessive amounts of chlorine may react with decaying organic matter to form trihalomethanes, which can cause cancer.
Total Hardness: is a measure of calcium and magnesium in your water. Hard water over 125 parts per million tends to form scales inside pipes creating a barrier between lead solder and the water itself, thereby helping to prevent lead from entering into your drinking water. Low hardness, (soft water), less than 54 parts per million , can be corrosive to your plumbing.
Iron: is a mineral found in the found, which can be in your drinking water. Iron is essential to good health, however iron levels about .3 parts per million can cause brown, orange or yellow color stains to your plumbing fixtures and laundry.
Iron Bacteria: is another form of iron that may be present in your water system. Iron bacteria is commonly found in toilet flush tanks as a brown,slimy residue.
Copper: is a metal, which is commonly found in your drinking water. Small amounts are generally not a problem. However, copper levels above 1 part per million can cause jaundice, pancreatic , poisoning of the red blood cells, gastrointestinal problems and anemia. The presence of copper also affects water's taste and may stain your porcelain toilets and sinks.
Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrogen: is a chemical resulting from fertilizer, sewage (human waste), animal waste and other geological elements. Concentrations over 10 parts per million for nitrates and 1 part per million for nitrites, can cause a condition know as "Blue Baby Syndrome": a poisoning of the blood which reduces the amount of oxygen available to infant children and also the fetus of pregnant women. It can be fatal.
