Where Does My Water Come From?
All drinking water originates as either ground water or surface water. As it travels through rocks, sand, and soil, ground water is purified naturally and typically only requires minimal purification from professional water systems before it can be considered safe to drink. Surface water is often exposed to a significantly higher number of contaminants, on the other hand, and typically must undergo much more strenuous purification before it can be considered safe to drink.
How Does A Water Softener Work?
A water softener works through a process known as "ion exchange," which means that as it removes calcium and magnesium (elements that make water "hard"), it replaces those ions on a one-for-one basis, usually with sodium. This means that the amount of sodium added to the water is directly proportional to how hard your water is. In most instances, the amount being added is so small that it is not a significant contributor to the amount of sodium in your diet.
How Do I Know If I Have Hard Water?
Hard water usually manifests itself in several different ways. For example, it leaves white residue behind wherever water evaporates. When hardness reacts with soaps and detergents, it leaves a sticky soap scum behind. It also leaves a hard scale behind in hot water heating systems.
Will My Water Taste Salty If I Use A Water Softener?
No. A properly functioning water softener will never make your water taste salty, as the amount of sodium added to the water is too minimal to notice.
If your water has a reddish (or possibly yellowish) hue, there may be an above-average concentration of iron in it. This can also lead to reddish-brown stains on your laundry, plumbing fixtures, and cooking utensils.
Why Does My Water Stink?
As water makes its way from its source to your faucets, it can be exposed to a number of different contaminants that could result in an unpleasant smell. Here are a few examples:
- A rotten egg odor can be caused by hydrogen sulfide in the soil near your well.
- A musty, earthy, or woody smell can be caused by dissolved solids.
- A chlorine smell can be caused by municipal additives.
- A detergent odor (or foaming water) can be caused seepage from septic tanks into your underground water well.
- A chemical smell (or taste) can be caused by a high iron content or industrial chemicals/pesticides seeping into your water.
What Is In My Tap Water?
Tap water generally consists of inorganic compounds, minerals, trace amounts of bacteria, and small amounts of chlorine designed to inhibit bacteria growth. If you are concerned about what substances may be in your tap water, our water treatment specialists at the Lake of the Ozarks can evaluate it for you.
How Do I Know If Bottled Water Is Safe To Drink?
You may opt for bottled water instead if you are concerned about drinking tap water. This can be a good alternative (especially if you are traveling), but you should ensure that the bottled water you purchase is supplied by a company that belongs to the International Bottled Water Association. This membership ensures that they undergo frequent testing to maintain the high standards of safe drinking water.
Contact Your Culligan Man For Answers To Your Other Questions!
Hopefully we've answered some of your common questions about water quality, but if there is one that we missed, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at Culligan Lake of the Ozarks! We are here to help you in any way we can.
277 Lower Business Park Road • Linn Creek, MO 65052 • (573) 346-5221
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