The tap water coming into your home is probably clear and odorless, making it easy to assume it’s safe and clean. In reality, the water coming out of your faucet might harbor a wide variety of potential contaminants. Many of these are invisible to the naked eye, but they can also pose risks to your plumbing, appliances, and health over time. The potential hidden threats in Bellville, OH include naturally occurring minerals, outdated infrastructure, industrial runoff, and treatment additives.
Why Water Testing Matters
Testing your water is more than a precaution because it’s an essential step in protecting the health of your household. Many local water supplies draw from both surface water, such as rivers and reservoirs, and groundwater, which can be influenced by industrial sites, urban runoff, aging infrastructure, and agriculture. Many contaminants are colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Without testing, you can’t honestly know what’s present in your water.
Some of the most alarming substances can accumulate over time and result in serious health issues. Professional testing can help identify volatile organic compounds, fluoride and chlorine levels, nitrates and nitrites, and disinfection byproducts. You can also get reports about microbes and bacteria. Heavy metals, such as copper and lead, might be present, and hard water minerals can cause issues in many homes.
The Problem With Hard Water
Hard water is widespread in Central Ohio. Fortunately, it’s not dangerous to drink. However, it can create expensive problems inside your home. Hard water also contributes to hair and skin issues. It’s water that has high levels of magnesium, calcium, and other dissolved minerals that it picks up while moving through chalk and limestone deposits. Both are common throughout the state’s geology.
If you notice a white, chalky buildup on showerheads and faucets, it may be a sign of hard water in your home. Brittle hair and dry, itchy skin are also possible, as is soap scum on tubs, glass, and dishes. A water softener can reduce hardness, protect your plumbing, and improve your home’s general water quality.
Common Tap Water Contaminants in Central Ohio
These are some of the most concerning and common substances that might be present.
Lead
Corroded service lines and plumbing pipes, especially those built before 1986, can be a source of lead contamination. Many communities have gone to great lengths to replace aging lead lines, but private homes might still have old solder joints or pipes. The health risks include reproductive problems, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and developmental issues in kids. Only testing can detect the presence of lead. You should schedule this if your home was built before 1986, especially if your household includes children or pregnant individuals.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a common additive to municipal water supplies because it reduces cavities and promotes dental health in appropriate volumes. Unfortunately, excessive exposure over enough time might result in fluorosis, a condition that triggers tooth and bone damage. High doses can also result in neurological concerns. Not every household wants to use medicated water. If you’d like to limit fluoride intake, reverse osmosis systems and other water filters can significantly reduce the levels coming out of your tap.
Chlorine and Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
Chlorine kills viruses and bacteria in public water supplies. It’s effective for disinfection but can also react with organic materials to create harmful byproducts. The potential health risks include skin sensitivity, respiratory irritation, developmental issues, reproductive complications, and a possible link with bladder cancer. Chlorine may be something you smell or taste in your tap water, especially if your home is located near the starting point of a distribution line. Fortunately, carbon filtration can remove chlorine and the associated byproducts.
Nitrates and Nitrites
Suburban and rural areas with heavy agricultural activity often have these contaminants. Septic tank runoff, manure, and fertilizers frequently leach into groundwater, particularly after flooding or heavy rainfall. The potential risks of nitrate exposure include “blue baby syndrome” in infants and elevated cancer risks for everyone from prolonged exposure. Municipal water supplies are routinely tested for nitrates, but private wells in outlying areas need annual testing due to higher vulnerability.
Microbial Contaminants (Bacteria, Viruses, and Parasites)
E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia are three examples of waterborne pathogens that can get into the water system via agricultural contamination, storm runoff, and sewage leaks. Potential effects of exposure include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and risks of serious illness for immunocompromised individuals. Contamination events and system failures typically result in local boil water advisories; however, point-of-use UV filtration provides additional protection against microbes.
Copper and Iron
These metals might leach from water heaters and corroded pipes. They’re not always dangerous, but they can make water taste metallic, stain fixtures and laundry, and indicate pipe deterioration. Copper can be a source of gastrointestinal distress and might result in liver damage with chronic exposure. Iron isn’t generally a health risk, but it might cause red/orange staining and promote microbiological growth in your plumbing.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
These synthetic chemicals are found in solvents, fuels, industrial waste, and some household products. When these substances enter local water sources or groundwater, they’re difficult to eliminate. Examples include toluene, benzene, and PCE/TCE. Health risks include cancer, liver and kidney complications, and nervous system damage. VOC testing is crucial for living near a refinery, industrial zone, or older gas station.
The Role of Water Treatment
The city of Columbus and many municipalities throughout Central Ohio operate water treatment facilities for the filtration and disinfection of water. However, contaminants may still reach your tap due to plumbing corrosion, leaching from older service lines, seasonal fluctuations in source water quality, and leaching from old service lines. Comprehensive water testing can check for the hidden contaminants that might be present. Clean test results can give you peace of mind, but you can also use the information to install treatment and filtration systems and replace outdated plumbing materials.
Clear Water, Hidden Contaminants
Tap water in Central Ohio may appear clean when it comes out of your tap, but it may contain numerous contaminants. Over time, many of these can result in serious health complications. The only way to really know what’s in your water is to have it tested for hard water minerals, chlorine byproducts, excessive fluoride, and lead from old pipes. Once you know what you’ve got, you can make simple, effective moves to protect your health, home, and plumbing.
If you’re worried about the water quality in your home, don’t delay. Scheduling a water test lets you find out what’s flowing from the faucets in your house and verify that the water is as safe and clean as it looks. WaterBird Home Water Solutions serves residents of Columbus and Central Ohio with water quality services. We offer water softener installation and maintenance, a salt monitoring and delivery program, and drinking water systems. Count on us for your home’s water filtration, purification, and reverse osmosis needs. Contact WaterBird Home Water Solutions for free water testing for your home.
