Comfort Line - Questions and Answers

This quarter, our "Questions and Answers" segment discusses drinking water quality and the effect it has on hot water production.

What contaminants are found in drinking water?

There is no such thing as totally pure water. By nature, all water contains some impurities. As water filters through layers of soil and rock in the ground, it dissolves and absorbs minerals and substances that it comes into contact with. Some of these substances are harmless and can even improve the taste of the water or provide health benefits. However, at elevated levels, minerals, just like chemicals, are considered contaminants that can make drinking water unpalatable or unsafe.

Who regulates drinking water?

Both the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection monitor drinking water in public water systems. The EPA regulates over 80 contaminants that fall into the following categories: Inorganic Chemicals, Organic Chemicals, Radioactive Materials and Microorganisms.

How do I know if my water is safe to drink?

If you use a public water supply that meets the Federal and State standards it is considered safe to drink. Contact your local public water supply authority to find out whether your drinking water complies with these standards.

My house has a well. How do I know if my well water is safe to drink?

The EPA recommends that private water supplies be tested annually in order to detect contamination problems. The EPA does not test private wells. However, you can obtain a list of state certified water testing labs from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Quality Assurance. The telephone number is (609) 292-3950.

Is bottled water safer than tap water?

The answer depends on the situation. The EPA regulates public water supply systems. Private wells are unregulated, but some have excellent quality water. You would have to test the water to find out. Bottled water is regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration to insure quality and safety.

Much of the water in Sussex County contains high concentrations of mineral deposits. What are the effects of this hard water?

Hard water can make it more difficult for soaps and detergents to lather up. In addition, when hard water is heated, the minerals can collect or scale on your domestic hot water pipes and in your water heater. This scale can adversely effect the available supply of hot water and can also increase the cost of making hot water. Experts recommend that mineral hardness should be treated if it is greater than 4gpg (grains per gallon).

What can be done about hard water?

There are two approaches for dealing with hard water. The first is to purchase or rent a water softener. Water softeners remove hardness using an ion exchange process which replaces minerals with an equivalent amount of sodium. Another approach is to utilize a water treatment compound known as Aquadene. Aquadene is added through a dispenser that is installed on your hot water supply. It does not remove minerals from the water. It keeps them in suspension and prevents them from building up or scaling on your hot water pipes or in your hot water heater. Aquadene dispensers are less expensive to install and easier to maintain than water softeners.