Aesthetic Water Treatment
Water naturally contains a number of minerals including calcium, iron and sulphur. While these minerals are not hazardous to human health, they can alter the hardness, taste, odour and colour of water when present in high quantities. There are a number of treatment options that are available for in-home use that will remove these poor aesthetic water qualities.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Hard water, scale build up | Excess calcium | Reverse osmosis Distillation Water Softeners* |
| Rusty or black stains on fixtures | Excess iron or manganese | Chlorination + filtration Green-sand filtration Distillation |
| Rotten egg smell | Hydrogen sulphide | Chlorination + filtration Green-sand filter |
| Water has laxative effect | Excess sulphates | Reverse osmosis Distillation |
| Cloudy water | Mud/silt/clay/sediment in water | Sediment filters |
| Salty taste | Chloride | Reverse osmosis |
| Gassy smell | Methane | Activated carbon filter |
| Red to brown slime on toilet tank, unpleasant taste or odour | Iron bacteria | Chlorination + filtration Shock treat well + examine well pump |
| Nutrients in well water | Nitrates | Reverse osmosis Distillation |
| Poor taste or odour | Natural variation in taste and odour | Activated carbon filter |
*Individuals on sodium restricted diet should consult their physician before drinking softened water.
Adapted from Health Canada: A Guide to Well Water Treatment and Maintenance; and Government of Ontario: Keeping Your Well Water Safe to Drink