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Tannins

While tannins in drinking water are not harmful, they can cause yellowing of glasses and fixtures and poor water taste. Tannins (humic acid) appear as a result of water passing through decomposing vegetation and are sometimes accompanied by iron or manganese. Water high in iron or manganese may appear red, rusty, brown, tan, black, or greenish in color.

Iron

Iron is one of the most common elements in the Earth’s crust and is found groundwater worldwide. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) established by US EPA guidelines is 0.3 parts per million, also known as 0.3 milligrams per liter of water.

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At concentrations higher than 0.3 ppm, iron in well water can cause staining of fixtures and clothes and produce a bitter or rusty taste. High-iron may actually appear crystal clear whenever first used. However, exposure to oxygen or adding oxidants (such as chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide), will convert ferrous iron to an insoluble ferric form. Water then looks reddish, orange-colored or even yellow, or in the case of manganese, black or brown. Discoloring may occur in toilet flush tanks, inside washing machines and in dishwashers.

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If you have a shallow well, you may have noticed water turning brown during rainy periods. This happens because surface water containing high levels of tannins often seeps into shallow wells.

Manganese

A common water issue in New Hampshire and Maine is high manganese. This causes black or brown stains and residue buildup on sinks, toilets, tubs and showers. Many people experience this problem with New Hampshire and Maine water wells alongside elevated iron levels. Manganese can give a varity of odors and taste that are usually safe, but unpleasent. A "rotten egg" smell is one of the smells that can be mild and only noticable in hot water or certain sinks in a house. "Fishy" and "Earthy" smell and/or taste are also common with Manganse. Manganse can be removed multiple ways using different filtration systems depending on the chemistry of your water. This is why a certified water test is so important.

Metallic Taste in Water

There may be a number of reasons why your water has a metallic taste. Trace amounts of iron, manganese, zinc, and copper are common water contaminates that produce metallic water taste.

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Low pH (potential Hydrogen) levels can also cause metallic tasting water. Understand that pH levels are a measure of acidity or alkaline qualities. Water is considered acidic when pH levels register significantly below 7 on a standard pH scale though, however the normal range is 6.5 to 8.5.

Salty Water Taste

If you have ever drank a glass of water that had a salty aftertaste it could be due to a presence of chloride ions and/or sulfates in your water supply.

In dug wells, the common causes of high chloride levels in your water may be due to industrial waste or irrigation drainage. Those who live in coastal areas may experience this problem due to seawater entering a local water supply.

In drilled wells it is more likely caused by sulfates. Sulfates such as magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate may cause water to taste of saline. These sulfates may occur naturally in some types of soil and rocks. As groundwater or rainwater moves through the earth, naturally occurring sulfates may make their way into the local water supply. This is especially the case during winter when melting snow and rain may carry road salt runoff into reservoirs. Sulfate may also appear in your water supply as the result of industrial waste, shale, or the breakdown of sulfide ores.

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A water analysis will determine your water chemistry, then we can find the best solution for you. With most water issues, we have a solution. We provide water sample kits which you can then deliver to Granite State Analytical (our preferred laboratory) or another water testing facility in New Hampshire or Maine.