Ajit Karn
Signs That You’re Drinking Contaminated Water: Did you know that the majority of potable water contains a variety of minerals, chemicals, and other contaminants that can have detrimental long-term impacts on your health? There are federal regulations governing what constitutes safe drinking water, but scientists generally agree that these standards are excessively lax and out of date.
If you suspect that your potable water is contaminated, you should have it analyzed by a laboratory. Once you have identified the issues, you will be in a better position to locate the necessary filtration for your situation.
Before ordering a water analysis, there are a number of indications that your water is unfit for human consumption. Here are 8 Signs That You’re Drinking Contaminated Water.
8 Signs That You’re Drinking Contaminated Water
Cloudy
Do not consume water that appears turbid. Water for consumption should always be pure. Since the mineral content of water is measured in parts per billion, purified water should contain no visible minerals.
Sediment
Since the majority of our potable water comes from water tables, wells, and underground reservoirs, you should anticipate some turbidity in your water supply. However, appropriate water treatment should filter out the vast majority of sediment so that it does not appear in potable water.
The presence of visible sediment in your water indicates a breach in the water main, which allows the sediment to combine with the treated water.
Brown or Orange Hue
Typically, brown or orange water indicates an inordinate quantity of iron or manganese in the water supply. This is most often caused by mining or excavation near water sources, but corroded water conduits can also contribute.
Oily Film atop Standing Water
Oily film residue that sitting atop of standing water in your sink, toilets, or tubs is a strong indicator that there is oil or grease in your water supply. Potential causes include a leak in the water main, deficient water treatment, and poor filtration.
Chlorine Scent
Water treatment facilities tend to add miniscule amounts of chlorine to drinking water to kill off bacteria. This works in exactly the same way as when you add chlorine to your swimming pool at home. However, during the treatment process excessive amounts of chlorine can occasionally make it into your water supply, causing intestinal distress and other serious health-related issues.
You can typically detect this via a strong chlorine scent that will emit from your water while bathing or running your kitchen faucet.
Sulfur Scent
Due to the fact that sulfur occurs naturally in the earth, it is normal for residues of it to be present in your underground water supply. As with chlorine, consuming minimal levels of sulfur in your potable water poses little risk. However, drinking water with excessive levels of sulfur can be exceedingly hazardous to your health. Fortunately, sulfur’s most dangerous component (hydrogen sulfide gas) emits a pungent, pervasive odor reminiscent of spoiled eggs, which will alert you to its presence. Bacteria are frequently mistaken for sulfur, and a simple well disinfection will typically eliminate the odor.
Also read: Water and the Human Body
Metallic Taste
Clean drinking water lacks any flavor. If your water has a metallic or bitter taste, there’s a high chance it may contain harmful substances, including but not limited to: medications, pesticides, and industrial chemicals.
Rusted Silverware
Tarnished and rusted silverware often means there is too much iron in your water. Iron adheres to your silverware while your washing dishes and oxidizes (or rusts) once the silverware is when exposed to open air.
If your water isn’t unnatural in color, there’s a very low chance that toxic amounts of iron are present in it. Much like your silverware, however, the inside of your pipes and faucets may begin rust with each water use, resulting in costly repairs down the line.
