Drinking Water Problems
Drinking water in the Pakistan is not usually of very high standards; therefore occasionally the available drinking water can cause health problems. Examine your drinking water, it should appear clear and bright. If it is discoloured, cloudy or has an unwanted taste or smell you should contact your local water company and have your water tested.
The following table highlights some common problems with metals and minerals in drinking water and suggests a suitable form of water treatment. For problems with contaminents of an organic nature (viruses, bacteria) please check here .
Problem | Effect on Water | Suggested Treatment |
pH | ow alkalinity water tends to dissolve minerals and metals. Water with high alkalinity tend to precipitate minerals and metals | Use Soda Ash to raise, Use white vinegar or citric acid to lower |
Aluminum | Discolored water | Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
Chloride | Salty taste | Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
Color | Visible tint | Reverse Osmosis Distillation Activated Carbon Filtration |
Copper | Blue-green coloration, metallic taste | Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
Corrosion | Metallic Taste Corrosion Fixture Staining | Calcite Filter Soda Ash Chemical Feed Polyphosphate Feed Sodium Silicate Feed |
Fluoride | Spotting and mottling of teeth | Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
Foaming Agents (MBAS) | Suds, Bitter Taste, Odor | Chlorination Activated Carbon Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
Hard Water | Limescale deposits in plumbing and water appliances, Reduced heating efficiency, Lowers lifespan of boiler units, Requires more soap | Water Conditioner Water Softener |
Iron | Rusty color Sediment Reddish or orange stains Metallic tase | Oxidizing Filter Chlorination -> AC Filter |
Manganese | Dark brown / Black stains Bitter, metallic taste | Oxidizing Filter Chlorination -> AC Filter |
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) | Sweet solvent odor Possbile carcinogen | Activated Carbon Filter |
Odor | Rotten egg Musty Garlic Chemical Smell | Activated Carbon Filter |
Silver | Skin discoloration Grey tint in white part of eye | Activated Carbon Filtration Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
Sulfate | Medicinal taste Acts as a laxative | Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
Total Dissolved Solids | Hard Water Deposits on glass and fixtures | Reverse Osmosis Distillation Water Conditioner Water Softener |
Zinc | Metallic taste | Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
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What Can You Do?
Occasionally you may encounter problems with your drinking water. In such a case, contacts our widely spreaded office network by phone, fax, e-mail. Alternatively, you can also contact other companies who will help you solve any problems regarding drinking water:
Diagnose Your Water and find technologies to treat it properly
If you think there may be something wrong with your water but you don't know what may be causing the problem, you came to the right place.
This page will help you narrow down the possible culprits by choosing from some common Symptoms and their Characteristics.
Once narrowed down, you will find potential treatments and solutions. The information in this section is presented to you based on guidelines obtained from the WQA (Water Quality Association)
Color
Deposits
Smells
Spots
Stains
Tastes
Contaminant Treatment Overall Information
Copper
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water:
Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water:
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Manganese
SMCL : 0.05mg/L (Total Manganese)
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods
Effects on Water:
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Iron
SMCL : 0.3mg/L (Total iron)
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Effects on Water:
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Hard Water (measured as Calcium Carbonate,CaCO3)
SMCL : No federal limit
Very hard: 180 and above Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (GPG) or milligrams per liter (mg/l, equivalent to parts per million, or ppm). Water up to 1 GPG (or 17.1 mg/l) is considered soft, and water from 1 to 3.5 GPG is considered moderately hard. Water from 3.5 to 7 GPG is Hard Water, and from 7 to 10.5 GPG is Very Hard. A water softener's effectiveness depends on how hard the incoming water is. Water over 100 GPG may not be completely softened.
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Remove all calcium and magnesium ions with a cation exchange water softener
Effects on Water:
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Chlorine
MCLG : 4 mg/L (P)* MCL : 4 mg/L (P)*
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
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Barium
MCLG : 2.0 mg/L MCL : 2.0 mg/L
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
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Cadmium
MCLG : 0.005 mg/L MCL : 0.005 mg/L
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water:
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. Odor
SMCL : 3 (threshold odor number)
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Effects on Water:
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Selenium (+6)
MCLG : 0.05 mg/L MCL : 0.05 mg/L (total selenium)
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water:
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MTBE (Methy0l Tertiary Butyl Ether) Not MBTE
SMCL : No federal limit
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Effects on Water:
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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
SMCL : 500mg/L
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Effects on Water:
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Fluoride
MCLG : 4.0 mg/L MCL : 4.0 mg/L
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water:
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Color
SMCL : 15 (color units)
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Effects on Water:
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Aluminum
SMCL : 0.05 to 0.2mg/L depending on case-by-case circumstances
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods
Effects on Water:
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Chloride
SMCL : 250mg/L
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Effects on Water:
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Sulfate
MCLG : 500 mg/L (proposed standard) MCL : 500 mg/L (proposed standard)
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water:
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Zinc
SMCL : 5mg/L
WQA Recommended Treatment Methods:
Effects on Water:
NOTE: Even if you did not find any symptom, it would be a good idea to have your water tested. This way, you would be assured that your water IS indeed safe (match WHO drinking water standards).
MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal.
Established at the level at which no known or anticipated adverse effects on the health of persons occur and which allows an adequate margin or safety; expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L) unless otherwise specified.
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MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level.
established as close to the MCLG as feasible, taking into consideration costs and treatment techniques applicable at public water systems; expressed in milligrams per liter unless otherwise specified.
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SMCL =Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels.
Specifies the maximum contaminant levels which, in the judgement of the Administrator, are requisite to protect the public welfare; expressed in milligrams per liter unless otherwise specified.
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