Water in itself is a pretty amazing thing. We use it to drink, cook, shower, clean our clothes, water our gardens, and make more cups of coffee that we'd care to admit. It's also used to keep our planet going strong by evaporating into clouds, creating rain, being the home of thousands of creatures in our oceans, and generating power through hydro-electrical dams.
Water really gets around! Unfortunately, that means it's almost impossible to find water as the pure H₂O that we're all familiar with. Along its journey, water comes in contact with a variety of different substances. Some are natural, some are the result of human activity, and some are simply the result of water doing what water does best:
- Absorbing
- Dissolving
- Carrying
Absorb: Water's Sponge-Like Tendencies
One of the interesting things about the H₂O molecule is that is has some left over positive and negative charges after the hydrogen and oxygen atoms are bonded together. That means gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and pure oxygen (O₂) can interact with water. They become trapped in the water and travel with it.
This is how carbonated beverages hold CO₂ and create bubbles when you open the can.
So as rain falls, the droplets start absorbing the gases in the air, including Nitrogen (N) which makes up 75% of our atmosphere.
It will also soak up some O₂ and CO₂ before it hits the ground.
Dissolve: Breaking Down the Barriers
Water is often called the "universal solvent," which means almost everything can be dissolved by water if given enough time. Dissolving is the process of a liquid breaking down a solid until it's to the point where it is "in solution" with the water.
A solution no longer has a solid particle in it anywhere. There's no physical way to differentiate what's in the water from the water itself. This about stirring in a spoonful of sugar into a glass of water. The sugar crystals disappear, right? But we know the sugar is still there because it tastes sweet.
But now what if we said you had to take out that spoonful of sugar? Good luck with that!
Water does the same thing in nature. As it runs through rivers and under ground, soil, rocks, minerals, and other materials are dissolved and suspended in solution with the water as it continues travel into your home. And just like the sugar, you can't see it and it will take a special process in order to take it out.
The most common examples of dissolved substances in water include:
- Minerals: Calcium and magnesium come from dissolved rock, like limestone, and are responsible for what is known as hard water. Iron and manganese are also often found dissolved in well water and can lead to rust stains throughout the home.
- We all are familiar with oceans having salt dissolved in it, which is great for floating in on vacation. But you certainly don't want to drink it.
- Metals: Certain metals, like lead from old pipes, can also get dissolved by water constantly running through it.
- Chemicals: Agricultural or industrial runoff materials can also be dissolved and included in water sources.
Carry: Going Along for the Ride
Another interesting thing about water is that it's always on the move. With absorbing and dissolving, contaminants are pretty much one with the water. But with the force of water flowing through different spaces, it can also carry solid particles and chunks of material.
We know sugar dissolved quickly when you stir it into a glass of water, but now imagine a spoon full of sand into that glass. You could stir it all day and you'll still see chunks of sand.
But, if you pour out the sandy water most of the sand will go with the water because it's being carried away with it.
Sometimes these particles are taking the ride to the end of the line and right into your home.
Solid pieces in your water could be big enough to see but keep in mind they can be so tiny that you would need a microscope to see it. These super small bits can come from both dirt and debris found in the ground and also living organisms like bacteria.
That's why testing your water is so important. A professional water test will help identify what's in your water, if it's dissolved or solid, and what's the best way to take them out to get water as close to pure H₂O as possible.
Water treatment isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Different contaminants require different technologies, and choosing the right equipment starts with understanding the water itself. And not every home needs every type of treatment. In fact, installing the wrong equipment can leave you spending money without actually solving the problem.
A knowledgeable water treatment professional can provide free basic water testing, review your results, evaluate your home's water needs, recommend appropriate treatment options, and help ensure your equipment is properly installed and maintained. Varsity Water Systems is well connected with the best in the business. Click the button below if you need a recommendation for a trusted water professional in your area!