Bore Water Quality: How Healthy is Your Bore Water?
You have drilled a bore in your home to obtain a reliable source of water and escape the chemicals of town water supply. However, although it is natural, bore water may not be as healthy as you think. Regularly inspecting your bore water can help you identify problems with the water and handle them before they cause a health hazard. Here are some of the top things that you should look out for when using bore water in your home and the measures that you can take to restore its quality.
Brown water
Is your bore water suddenly looking brown in color; staining clothes, sink, and toilet bowls; and having a metallic taste? One of the common causes of brown water is high levels of iron. Iron occurs naturally in bore water, but its levels can be increased by dissolution of ferrous bore components (such as pipes and fittings). If you notice that your water has a weird taste or smell and has a brown slime, it could be having iron bacteria which feed on iron in the pipes and tanks.
You can remedy iron problems with your bore water by chlorinating it to kill the iron bacteria. This should get rid of the bad smell and taste, as well as staining of your clothes and plumbing fixtures. Also, purchase a water filter that includes a softening agent to get rid of the iron that may be dissolved in the water.
Scale buildup in pipes
If you notice that your pipes and other plumbing fixtures have accumulated scale, your bore water could be hard. Hard water contains too dissolved minerals, and it is commonly found in bores that are drilled near salt water bodies. In addition to causing scale buildup in pipes, hard water also causes glassware to look streaky after washing. It is also hard to shower with as it does not lather easily.
Hard water can be softened by using a softening agent. The water softener should be utilized before the water is distributed to plumbing fixtures in the home or for agricultural purposes.
Blue stains in toilet
Copper, a mineral that's commonly found in water, is responsible for causing blue stains in the toilet. If not handled, copper will eventually discolor your bathroom fixtures. The blue color is usually a sign of corroded plumbing fixtures due to excess copper in the bore water. This can be remedied by using a water softener. However, you will need a plumber to take care of the corroded fixtures as water softening will only offer a short-term solution.
Contact a boring contractor if you notice any of these problems with your bore water. Also, make sure that your water is tested to identify the presence of other minerals and contaminants which can be harmful to human health when consumed in large amounts.