Hard water is not a health hazard. In fact, it may have moderate health benefits. However, in both commercial and domestic settings, hard water can cause problems. If see chalky mineral stains on your water fixtures, on your glasses and cookware, and in your shower and tub, it’s likely you have hard water. …Read more »

Aluminum has drawn attention in recent years due to a number of studies linking chronic aluminum exposure to the development of nervous system disorders. Aluminum is the Earth’s the third most common element and we are all exposed to it to some degree. At low levels, aluminum exposure is likely not harmful to your health. But high aluminum levels in water can be a health concern. …Read more »

That bleachy taste and smell in city water comes from chlorine. Yech! It can take a toll on your hair and skin and can be even worse for your fish! What can you do? …Read more »

Hydrogen sulfide gas is colorless but it is certainly -not- odorless or tasteless. That musty, swampy smell and taste in your water is probably caused by hydrogen sulfide. It can be awful but you don’t have to live with it. …Read more »

Iron in drinking water is generally not a health risk but it can certainly be unpleasant! And it can be a real bother. If you suspect excess iron in your drinking water, this is the place to start. …Read more »

Some areas in Oregon have high levels of boron in the soil. Excess boron exposure is a health risk especially to infants, children and pregnant women. Boron compounds are odorless and tasteless. The only way to know if it is in your drinking water is testing. …Read more »

You turn on your faucet and the water comes out white, milky or cloudy. Should you be alarmed? The Good News Fortunately, the most common cause of cloudy tap water is just extra air trapped in the water. Completely harmless air bubbles dissolve in the water and give it a whitish appearance. You may notice … Read more

Water that looks and tastes good may not necessarily be safe to drink. The only way to know if your drinking water is safe to drink is to have it tested. Here in Southern Oregon, there is local concern about nitrates and arsenic. Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District reports that in some areas of … Read more

While pesticides may be trending safer, they may also appear more frequently in our water sources. Scientists are studying both the acute and chronic effects of ingesting pesticides. Pesticides are being detected at low concentrations, and as such, acute toxic effects (like nausea or chemical burns) are of less concern for most people. Farmworkers and landscapers directly applying herbicides and pesticides are likely most at risk (consider the evolving case of glyphosate). …Read more »

Nitrites and nitrates in your drinking water are completely impossible to see, smell, or taste. But they are associated with serious health risks especially for infants and pregnant women. A total of 2 million people were served water that exceeded public health guidelines for nitrite and nitrate in 2015. …Read more »