Water Quality

Properties

The following are the current Germantown water property test results taken on 10/6/18 at all 6 wells (combined average):

  • Hardness: 24 grains
  • Fluoride:  0.48 ppm
  • Iron:  0.56 ppb
  • Alkalinity:  287 mg/L
  • Calcium:  108.8 mg/L
  • Chloride:  40.6 mg/L
  • Copper:  1.8 ug/L
  • Dissolved Solids: 553 mg/L
  • Manganese:  12.58 ug/L
  • pH in Lab: 7.46 s.u.
  • Phosphorus:  0.052 s.u.
  • Sulfate:  112 mg/L


Water Odor

Most water heaters have at least one anode rod for corrosion protection of the tank. Certain water conditions will cause a reaction between this rod and the water. The most common complaint associated with the anode rod is one of a “rotten egg smell”. This odor is derived from hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water. The smell is the result of four factors which must all be present for the odor to develop:

  • A concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
  • Little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.
  • A sulfate reducing bacteria within the water heater. (This harmless bacteria is non-toxic to humans.)
  • An excess of active hydrogen in the tank. (Caused by the corrosion protective action of the anode.)

Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active material, and then chlorinating the water heater tank and all hot water lines.

More Information

For more information, check out the Water Heater Rescue site.