THE SKILLINGS BLOG

One of the most common questions people ask the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is how much water in a well is adequate for the average home. It is an important factor when considering building or purchasing a home and, as the NHDES says, the amount of water available in a well can be as important as the quality of the water. It is also important to consider flow rate when buying or building a new home. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires 3 to 5 gallons per minute for older wells and a rate of 5 gallons per minute for new wells to pass inspection.

Drilling a water well is the first step in having a source of treated drinking water is simply a healthy choice. The second step is testing your water for contaminants.  Water testing may reveal the need for a treatment system to deal with various organic and inorganic contaminants that can be present in your drinking water. There are two types of treatment systems available. A “point of entry” system is installed inline with your water main and treats all of your water as it enters the house. A “point of use” system is generally smaller, less costly, used to treat water at a faucet, and is generally more for purifying water for drinking, cooking and sometimes washing.

I Think My Home Has Hard Water. How Do I Fix It?

Skillings & Sons water system professionals are often asked how to get rid of spots on dishes or soap scum that collects on shower walls. These are caused by hard water, a standard water quality issue across New England, especially those that use well water. Fortunately, there are affordable and easy to install options that will reduce the hardness of your water and get rid of that nasty scum in your bathroom. The first step in solving hard water problems is a water test.

Water quality has a tremendous effect on your families quality of life. The rotten egg smell and taste in your home water supply is caused by the presence of hydrogen sulfide. (H2S) It is not harmful to your health but it can make your water corrosive, meaning it will damage your home plumbing system and appliances and can cause lead contamination. It can tarnish silverware, copper and brass utensils, leave yellow or black stains on your kitchen and bathroom fixtures, and it’s generally unpleasant.

After spotting the blue-green stains near your bathtub drain, you asked your friends and did some Internet searching to find the cause. You probably know by now that your water is likely corrosive, but you wonder what that means to your health and your home plumbing system.