Water Problems in Florida

Lead in drinking water can also cause a variety of adverse health effects. In babies and children, exposure to lead in drinking water above the action level can result in delays in physical and mental development, along with slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, it can cause increases in blood pressure or kidney problems.

Bacteria cause many well water illnesses, contaminants, and injuries. Proper well water treatment and sanitizing are critical and are your responsibility on your own well.

Hard water is water with a high dissolved mineral content. These substances can cause serious problems for home appliances when they precipitate out. If the scale is not promptly removed, it can start to clog pipes and can damage things like water heaters and dishwashers, which cannot cope with the minerals.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can exist naturally in groundwater. Sulfur-reducing bacteria present in groundwater use sulfur as an energy source to chemically change sulfates to hydrogen sulfide. The bacteria use sulfur from decaying plants and other organic matter in oxygen-deficient environments. They can occur in deep or shallow wells, and reside in plumbing systems.

Nitrates and nitrites are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units which combines with various organic and inorganic compounds. Once taken into the body, nitrates are converted into nitrites. The greatest use of nitrates in the U.S. is as a fertilizer.

• FERRIC IRON IN WELL WATER: Also known as red water iron, ferric iron in well water is essentially clear water iron that has been exposed to oxygen – usually from the air, thereby oxidizing. Carbon dioxide leaves the water and the oxygen combines with the iron to form ferric ions (Fe+++). This gives the water a red rust coloring.
• BACTERIAL IRON IN WELL WATER: Iron bacteria is usually identified by slime in places such as toilet reservoirs or by the presence of a slimy mass fouling softeners or filters.
• FERROUS IRON IN WELL WATER: Often called clearwater iron because it is clear when poured, this substance is found in water that contains no oxygen. Typically, it comes from deeper wells and groundwater sources. Carbon dioxide acts on iron in the ground to form soluble ferrous bicarbonate. In water this forms ferrous ions (Fe++).