The end of summer brings chilly mornings, a return to school (for those who are going), and fluffy sweaters from the closet. Most homeowners generally know what to expect as the seasons change, but there are some things many overlook. For example, did you realize your home’s water quality can be affected by normal changes of the season?
As temperatures outside fall, your water can change color, sometimes staining, and have new odors and/or a “metallic” taste. If this occurs, it’s important to identify what is causing these fluctuations in water supply coming into your home.
Water Sources and Seasonal Change
Seasonal changes can affect your home’s water differently, depending on where it originally comes from. Owners of private wells realize the importance of being always vigilant of potential outside sources affecting their wells. Late winter and early spring months excessive snow melt and sudden, heavy rainfall can lead to flooding, leading to the chance of contaminants entering the well. Additionally, decaying organic material in spring and fall can produce tannins that may leach into the water supply, causing foul odors and discoloration. Also be aware that liquid fertilizer used in the farms and golf courses in the summer can cause increases in nitrates found in water.
Municipal water supplies are also affected during the changes of the seasons, but with their treatment procedures most of those contaminants are removed before reaching your home. These have other challenges that they need to deal with, including changing the water source supply or adjusting treatment methods depending on how the weather and water quality conditions vary.
When Water Stains
Do you find more stains in the bathroom that had not before been a problem? Depending on the water issue, there are a few different colors you may see. While trees in autumn can produce breathtaking colors, they can lead to not-so-beautiful-colored water once the leaves decay and enter the groundwater. Below are the more common seasonal water coloration changes you may experience:
- Orange-colored stains from iron are quite common, but tannins, caused by decaying leave and other organic matter may also cause staining similar to iron, especially in the spring and fall months.
- Black stains could be the result of manganese or organic decaying material.
- Blue-green stains may be caused by the water table becoming acidic. Excessive snow melting or rainfall, pollutants, and organic decomposition may also lead to low pH.
If you discover any of these symptoms caused by your water supply, they can be resolved by an Evolve whole-home filter system.
When Water Stinks
A foul or unusual smell from your tap water can be another issue from the changing of seasons. Most common odor is a rotten egg smell, likely due to changes in the water table. Decaying organic material can produce a chemical reaction in the ground, releasing hydrogen sulfide gas into the water supply. The gas then stays trapped in your water until released into the air as it comes out through your sink faucets and shower heads.
Another common odor is what smells musty or “earthy” – commonly a product of tannins.
While taste, color, and odor abnormalities may become a permanent part of your water supply, if it wasn’t there before, it may be a result of the changing of the seasons. By testing and (if necessary) treating your water, Futuramic’s Clean Water Center can help you discover and resolve the issue and find a lasting solution. With the correct treatment products, you can have bottled water-quality out of your tap year-round.