Safe Drinking Water

Ninety-eight percent of towns with public water systems chlorinate the water because any water supply, well water included, can become contaminated with bacteria. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends testing yearly for coliform bacteria & E. coli through a state certified laboratory. Results are known within 3 to 5 days, and we highly recommend you always chose to get a “count” (not results with just absent/present). More information here.

PFAS have been found in Maine in several places including agricultural sites, drinking water supplies, surface waters, landfills, wastewater, sludge, septage spreading sites, and remediation cleanup sites. In general, PFAS can enter the environment through direct releases from specific PFAS-containing products. Some of these are found in food packaging materials, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpet treatments, water resistant clothing, cleaning products, paints, varnishes, and sealants, firefighting foams, and some cosmetics from various waste streams. In Maine, sludge and septage that may contain PFAS was applied to various “sites” for nutrient value. This activity was licensed because at the time little was known about PFAS as an emerging contaminant. More information here.

If you have hard water, a water softener may be needed. Often, hard water is accompanied by other minerals, so it is best to have your water tested so the appropriate system is installed. More information here.

Over 25% of the Earth’s crust is iron, therefore, it is one of the most common minerals found in water. Iron will present itself in two different forms: ferric iron is a suspended solid which will make the water appear colored, ranging from light yellow to bright orange in color or ferrous iron which is a dissolved solid and colorless. If allowed exposure to air, ferrous iron may oxidize and appear colored. More information here.

If you have Manganese or Hardness in your water, a Water Softener may be needed. Often times, Manganese and Iron will appear together in well water, so it is best to have an evaluation, so the appropriate system is installed. More information here.

Acidic and alkaline water may also interfere with the effectiveness of other water treatment systems. You will get the most accurate pH test result by testing onsite, right at the kitchen sink. More information here.

Although the dangers of radon gas in the home have been well publicized over the last several years, few people think of radon coming in through their well water supply.

Radon gas is created when the radioactive mineral radium degrades. Radium leaches from phosphates and other radium bearing rock formations such as granite into the water. Radon will quickly escape from water as soon as it hits the air. As water is running the gas separates from the water and is inhaled. More information here.

Sulfur (also known as hydrogen sulfide gas) can occur naturally in ground water or be produced by plants or other organic substances as they decompose. It is characterized by a signature rotten egg smell. Not only does it impart an offensive taste and odor, but it can even turn certain beverages like scotch and whiskey a black color. Any beverage prepared with the water will be negatively affected.

In the case where water contains iron and hydrogen sulfide gas, they will combine to form iron sulfide, which is black in color. This is an unpleasant smell and may stain clothing and other items. More information here.