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Become A Water Expert
Becoming a water expert can significantly empower you as a homeowner to solve your water needs. This expertise equips you to understand water sources, detect potential contaminants, assess the effectiveness of treatment solutions, and make an informed decision about your water quality needs. Becoming water knowledgeable translates to proactive ownership and ultimately, peace of mind knowing your family has access to cleaner water.
The steps of the water cycle and water origin
Understanding how water journeys to our taps and the many ways it benefits our lives.
The various components of water
Water is Not Just H2O. Learn what else could be in your home's water.
hardness: the EFFECTS ON YOUR BODY AND HOME
Understanding the effects of water hardness on your body and home.
Solutions: How to Fix Hard Water
How to improve the overall water quality of your home using water softening solutions.
Common water contaminants and their effects
Understand impurities and other potentially harmful additives.
Filtration Solutions to treat your water
Learn about water treatment solutions which can help improve your water.
We are water Experts
At Pentair, we take water quality seriously. That's why we've invested in state-of-the-art water quality labs staffed by a team of highly trained specialists. Our labs are equipped with the latest technologies, allowing us to conduct a wide range of tests for all kinds of applications.
Common Water concerns
PFAS
Sediment or Debris
Chlorine
Rust
Rotten Egg Smell
In recent years, there has been growing awareness and concern over PFAS and the potential health implications that could occur as a result of exposure to these chemicals.
PFOA and PFOS are commonly known as “forever chemicals” because they do not easily degrade. This, combined with their widespread use, means that PFAS are present virtually everywhere in the environment. They have been found in the blood of people and animals, and at low levels in a variety of food products.
Filtering sediment and debris out of drinking water can help ensure its quality. These unwanted particles can range from sand and silt to rust and organic matter, and can have a number of negative consequences if ingested.
Sediment and debris can harbor harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses. These pathogens can cause a variety of waterborne illnesses, ranging from mild gastrointestinal distress to more serious conditions like cholera and dysentery. Filtering out these contaminants reduces the risk of contracting such diseases.
Chlorine (Cl2) or hypochlorite (an ion composed of chlorine and oxygen), is added to the water at the treatment facility. Water treatment facilities pressurize the gaseous natural state of chlorine to turn it into a liquid. Chorine is added to drinking water because its chemical properties help destroy bacteria, microbes, and pathogens in a water supply. In fact, disinfecting the U.S. water supply drastically reduces the risk of diseases like salmonella, typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.
If chlorine does its job, your water may be free of microorganisms that cause diseases. However, even when chlorine is added, there could be bacteria present in your water when it reaches your home. Common causes include the chlorine breaking down too quickly or microorganisms leaching into the water at some point during the journey from the treatment plant to your home.
You might have “rusty” water if your water is red or orange and turns cloudy.
Rust-colored water and reddish staining are an indication of high iron content, according to the EPA. If the iron content in your water is excessive, it can have more than just a metallic taste - it may change color, cloud over, and cause staining on your appliances and plumbing.
Chlorine and hydrogen sulfide (aka sulfur) are two chemicals that can cause your water to give off an odor. The causes of bad-smelling water can vary based on where your water comes from.
Learn how to identify where bad-smelling water is coming from – and how to fix it.
Bacteria or Virus
The presence of harmful bacteria and viruses in water can degrade its quality, posing risks to those who consume it.
Blue/Green stains
Acidic water can cause green-blue stains on sinks and bathtubs and can stain laundry. You may notice drinking water has a metallic, sour taste, or that your water-specific appliances require frequent repair, maintenance, and replacement.
Fluoride
The fluoride level in your tap water can vary, as some utilities do not report measurements. The only way to determine how much fluoride is in your water is to conduct a water test if your water quality report does not include this information.
Hard Water
Hard water can hit your home hard. Your pipes can become encrusted and blocked due to calcification. You could potentially experience a clogged showerhead, slow drainage or poor water pressure.
Scaling
When energy is applied to hard water, the minerals can drop out of the solution and settle on surfaces. This is called scale, the most common of which is limescale. These minerals can form a hard crust that can cause many problems with equipment, from clogging to increased energy requirements.
Lead
Service pipes that contain lead are a major source of contamination, but so is the process of corrosion. Corrosion is a natural process that occurs between water and the pipes that transport treated water to your home.
water blog
Dive deep into common water issues and discover solutions on our Water Education Blog.
Water Education Articles
Learn more about common water problems and how to tackle them in our Water Education Center.
Well Water
According to the Groundwater Foundation, private well owners should test their wells at least once a year. Based on your area’s conditions, you may choose to test more often for peace of mind.
If any component of your well water system seems to have aged or become damaged, it’s wise to test your well water as soon as possible. Use your best judgment, and familiarize yourself with the parts of your well water system to assess each component periodically.
City Water
Even with modern water treatment methods, you still might wonder about safety. Water from the treatment plant still has a long way to travel before it reaches your home. Pipes that deliver this water can lead to additional contamination.
Municipality disinfection methods such as chlorine and chloramines cause unwanted taste and smell, and have the potential to create disinfection byproducts and VOCs (Volatile organic compounds).
What's in your water?
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Worried about what may be in your water? Get our water test kit and send it in to us! We do extensive testing and will recommend products based on the makeup of your water. Get a test today!
