Your Water —
Frequently Asked Questions

Hard water contains dissolved calcium, magnesium and, in many cases, iron. Most homes have hard water, whether it is supplied by a private well or a municipality. In many cases, homeowners don't realize they have hard water — or the constant and expensive harm it causes.

Many mistake the telltale signs of hard water and blame the problems on inadequate cleaners and detergents and poorly performing appliances. Dry skin and hair, bathtub ring, spots on glass and silverware, dull, dingy clothing, and a shortened life expectancy of water-using appliances are all problems frequently caused by hard water.

Take the first step and find out how hard your water is and if there are any other issues. Your Commonwealth Water Treatment professional will be glad to arrange a free, in-home water analysis.

Cloudy, murky or grayish water is usually caused by dissolved or suspended solids — also known as "turbidity." Water can become turbid naturally or from land disturbances such as construction, storms and urban runoff, and turbidity can range from low to high.

Even if your water looks clear, it could still contain a high level of dissolved solids. That's why we recommend you have it tested. Commonwealth Water Treatment will perform a free water analysis and plumbing audit, then recommend appropriate treatment approaches if needed.

Since the 1850s, chlorine has been used as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria in water and the pipes that transport it, helping end a number of major threats to public health. Although chlorine is essential at the treatment plant and in the distribution system, it is no longer necessary once the water reaches your home.

Its benefits come at a price: chlorine tastes and smells bad. It dries skin and hair, fades clothes, and can dry out the rubber seals in appliances, shortening their lives. Our chlorine removal systems eliminate chlorine from your water.

In its pure state, water is colorless, tasteless and odorless. So if your water tastes or smells funny, you owe it to yourself to find out why.

Earthy or musty taste and odor: Generally the result of compounds released by decayed vegetation, typically associated with different forms of algae. Most prevalent in supplies that use surface water. While not toxic, they are unpleasant and can be offensive at very low concentrations.

"Rotten egg" smell: A common source of smelly water is hydrogen sulfide — a colorless, corrosive gas most often found in groundwater supplies and frequently noticed coming from hot water tanks. It can affect the taste of food and beverages and accelerate corrosion of metal parts in appliances. Because it is a gas, testing usually has to be performed onsite.

Metallic taste: Indicates the presence of metals such as iron, copper, manganese or zinc. Iron and manganese are often naturally occurring and predominantly found in groundwater; copper and zinc can come from an aging distribution system or the corrosion of copper plumbing and brass fittings.

Water is a natural solvent, and given the needed time and conditions it will dissolve anything it comes in contact with. Depending on where you live, your water can contain iron or manganese, which cause rusty-orange or black staining — it can even alter hair color. Water with a low pH can leave telltale blue-green stains.

You'll see the stains on clothes, fixtures, sinks, tubs, water-using appliances and toilets — really anything the water contacts regularly. These stains are very difficult to remove, if you can get rid of them at all. Call your Commonwealth Water Treatment professional to set up a free, in-home water analysis and discuss your options.

According to the CDC, there could be as many as 12 million cases of waterborne acute gastrointestinal illness annually in the United States alone. These illnesses are frequently caused by bacteria, viruses and protozoa that make their way into the water supply — and these contaminants can survive in the environment for months.

Even well-operated, state-of-the-art treatment plants cannot ensure drinking water is entirely free of microbial pathogens, and bottled water — unregulated and highly variable — may offer no more safeguards than tap water. If you're concerned about the safety of your supply, call your Commonwealth Water Treatment professional for a free, in-home water analysis and plumbing audit.

As water travels through the earth, it picks up minerals like calcium and magnesium. When that water enters your home and is heated, it forms a rock-like scale build-up. Scale is obvious on shower doors and fixtures, but it also forms in places you can't see — common problem areas include water pipes and hot-water appliances such as your water heater and dishwasher.

Homeowners frequently buy expensive cleaners and chemicals to remove scale, or chip away at it with sharp objects, only to be disappointed by the difficulty, expense and effectiveness of their efforts. Call your Commonwealth Water Treatment professional to set up a free, in-home water analysis to address your scale build-up.