You may see evidence of corrosion on porcelain plumbing fixtures, as these metals tend to leave a bluish-green stain. Since taste and odor work together it is often difficult todistinguish the two. Call a plumber to fix the leak. The solution is most likely that you need to ground any copper piping in the home so the copper will not build up any electrical charge. This kind of phenomenon happens rarely, but you must resolve it as soon as you notice the differences to prevent poisoning from your water supply. And besides the possible ill effects, it usually tastes pretty bad too. If you’re not sure if your municipal water supply is acidic, one tell-tale sign is the blue-green stains that appear on your kitchen and bathroom surfaces and fixtures. Although acid in the water is often the cause of copper corroding, sediment in the water will scratch the walls of the copper piping and scrape off particles of copper as well. Over the years, acid rain and pollution have caused the copper to corrode. Did you ever wonder why France chose to make it that color? Symptoms of Acidic Water. It is highly recommended to have any solder that may contain lead removed from your home and to have your water treated to make it non-corrosive to the plumbing in your home. Acidic water is most commonly the cause of corrosion of copper plumbing in the home. Metallic taste- Some water systems have a high mineral concentration giving the consumer a salty or soda taste. Even though you do not have copper piping throughout your home, you probably have some copper piping or fittings on and around your water pressure tank. If your well water turns an eerie blue or blue-greenish color, you have a problem related to either copper or zinc from bronze fixtures. For more acidic water bellow 6.5, using a larger 13-inch diameter x 54-inch calcite filled tank will allow the water more contact time with the calcite and therefore it will be able to neutralize more acid than a smaller sized tank. If your water has a low pH level, it probably got that way from the seepage of industrial wastes or acid mine waters. Acidic Water Well Problems Acid rainfall, runoff from mining operations, and plant life decomposition can drop water’s pH levels below 7.0 pH. Because solder is used to connect one piece of copper piping to another, if the solder used in your home is a lead-based solder, your water may not only be corroding your copper pipes, but also the lead-based solder. Freewateradvice.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Generally, the water discolouration is accompanied by a metallic taste. What can make your water blue? The first step in determining what (if any) issues are in the water supply is to call Boulden Brothers to perform a test. Diarrhea. Bronze faucets and other types of plumbing have a zinc coating to prevent them from getting eroded by water. And I decided to give it away FOR FREE! Blue tint to your well water is normally caused by traces of copper in the water, the copper in the water is due to copper being corroded by the water that passes through it. Well, they didn’t! Blue tint to your well water is normally caused by traces of copper in the water, the copper in the water is due to copper being corroded by the water that passes through it. But even a Hague Waterboss that only has to treat slightly hard water can run... Why Do Some Water Softeners Have Two Big Tanks? FC runs 1-3 depending on time of day. Favorite Answer. When copper corrodes due to exposure to corrosive water, it takes on a blue-green color which gives the water a blue tint. why does my well water turn my bath tub blue. It is totally invisible. The color of water varies with the ambient conditions in which that water is present. If you are getting a blue tint in your water, it is most likely because of copper in your water, but not necessarily from your well water. After aging significantly, a bronze fixture releases the zinc on it, giving the water a clear bluish tint with no hint of any other color. If the pH of your water is bellow 6.0, you may need to use a soda ash chemical feeder system to inject acid-neutralizing soda ash into your water which can neutralize more acid than a calcite backwashing filter but requires a little up-keep by the homeowner. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: Color, Taste, and Odor, Oregon State University: Colors and Smells in Drinking Water. Customer Question. A Hague Waterboss/PuraTech/AO Smith water softener will function great for many years without a hitch in most cases. As the microscopic copper corrodes, your water starts turning the color of the corroded material. My wife swears that even the water in the spray fountain looks light blue when it is in the air. This occurs when these bacteria combine iron and manganese with oxygen to form a yellowish, slimy buildup. It is also true of copper piping. Residual amounts of copper are normal in your water supply, but cause problems when the quantity builds up due to copper deposits in the earth below your well. If water flowing into your water supply has not made enough contact with minerals in the earth that will neutralize acid, it will remain acidic when it is inside of the plumbing of your home. Required fields are marked *. Although copper is very resilient to acid, which is why it is often the metal of choice for plumbing where acidic water may be an issue, it doesn’t hold up well when exposed to water with excessive salt in it. Copper in the Water Supply Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. When water levels drop below the levels of the pump intakes, then wells will begin to pump air - they will "go dry." You can test the pH of your water by using a simple water test kit. If you have blue water, your toilet tank with disinfectant has sprung a leak and is mixing into your water supply. 12/22/13 WHY IS WATER BLUE WHY IS WATER BLUE? Blue or blue-green water likely means it contains copper. Submitted: 13 years ago. The water in my bath is mainly clear but I can detect a slight bluish tinge if I fill it quite full, this is probably due to the way light is refracted as it enters and leaves the surface of the water meaning that more light in the blue part of the spectrum arrives at my eye? Because you have plastic piping going into your home, if there is a charge in any copper piping around your pressure tank, the charge has will cause corrosion of any copper that it is exposed to. Water containing iron or manganese leaves unsightly brown to reddish stains. Holes can allow water of undesirable quality to enter the well. Polenin attended the New World School of the Arts and the University of Florida. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Eliminate the cause of the copper corrosion, and the blue water should go away. link to Hague WaterMax/Waterboss/PuraTech/AO Smith "Home Not Found". This is a complex problem that at elevated levels of copper can have health implications. Tiny particles of the blue-green corroded copper from the plumbing of your home get absorbed into the water. Water softeners come in several shapes and sizes from tall tanks to short tanks, one-piece units with the brine tank built-in, and even water softeners with two tanks. If you have pipes made of copper, replace them with PVC pipes to see if this corrects the problem. When homeowners discover their home drinking water has a slight blue tint, it’s a cause for concern. For slightly acidic water with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0, using calcite in a 10-inch diameter x 54-inch high tank backwashing filter should neutralize the water to the point where it will no longer corrode your copper plumbing. This kind of process releases dangerous amounts of residual copper that may poison your water supply. 2. I have young children and I am greatly concerned. In the case of Iron and Manganese, a st… after about a week of... after about a week of taking showers there is a blue tint around my white tub. Although copper is a very resilient metal, when it is exposed to acid, the acid will gradually dissolve the walls of the copper piping. Although a blue tint to your water may seem like a harmless occurrence, the copper that is in the water that gives it that blue tint can be harmful to humans when it is consumed and can even cause illness and health issues when it is absorbed through the skin over long periods of time. They are not known to cause disease, but can tint your water. We're on a deep well in a rural area in the piedmont of western North Carolina. The most common reason for blue water is the water is acidic, so naturally, neutralizing the acid in your water will solve your acidic water problem which will solve your blue water problem. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is important to investigate the situation in order to address the problem correctly and to be certain that your well water is safe for household use. Mikhail Polenin has been working with computers since 1997. While relatively small quantities of water appear to be colorless, pure water has a slight blue color that becomes a deeper blue as the thickness of the observed sample increases. Well water stains can develop in the bathroom when the water contains certain minerals. This type of staining usually indicates corrosion of copper pipe somewhere in the water system. Get your water tested for copper to confirm your suspicions if you do not have any copper fixtures within your well which might lead to this issue. Blue or green water is caused by the corrosion of internal copper piping. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. I decided to create this website so I could share some of my experiences and solutions to some of the problems that you may have with the water in your home. And if humans absorb too much copper (either via skin, inhalation or ingestion), it can cause: Vomiting. Check this article to learn the tips on how to make the well water drinkable. Your email address will not be published. These particles are normally too small for us to see, but when the water is in bright light, the particles cause the water to have a bluish-green tint. If you are experiencing blue water in your home, quick showers rather than long baths are recommended. The addition of chlorine is used to kill off bacteria and other harmful microorganisms (2). Sometimes the problem does not initiate from the well, but from the area where the grounding wires make contact with the pipe. The outside of the statue of liberty is actually made of copper. There are a few other reasons why you can have an accelerated rate of copper dissolving as well. Pumping a well lowers the water level around the well to form a cone of depression in the water table. If most water softeners use a... As a water treatment specialist since 2006, I have helped people with all kinds of water issues. Common complaints include: 1. (add at night/dusk/when I get home from work) pH ranges between 7.5 and 7.8. Yellow well water is also known as red-water iron, and it can also contain manganese. Copper. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. https://www.plumbingsupply.com/getting-rid-of-blue-green-water-stains.html Using water pipes to ground a home electrical circuit proves rather useful, but dangerous when done on pipes that may lead to or from a well. You also may have acidic water that is corroding the copper by your pressure tank. The water that you use in your home should be clear, with no blue tint and shouldn’t leave blue stains on your water fixtures. Low total dissolved solids (TDS) can also lower your well water’s pH level. Having a home by the ocean sounds like a wonderful thing, but the saltwater from the ocean could be wreaking havoc with your plumbing if you have copper piping. When calcium and magnesium are present in well water, it creates white, crusty deposits on bathroom surfaces and fixtures. Discolored water is a symptom of a bigger problem. The Pipe Degradation Package looks for all types of metallic degradation products in water. View Essay - why is water blue from CHEM 2c at University of California, Santa Barbara. The United States has one of the safest water supply in the world. Solve this problem by using an earthing electrode next to the house instead of water piping for grounding. These cookies do not store any personal information. Improper grounding of your home’s plumbing can cause electrolysis, which removes electrons from the copper pipe, leading to the same type of corrosion and blue-green water as having acid in the water would. He's written about various different subjects regarding astrophysics and electrical circuits for various online publications. These accumulated elements will each cause staining of … Drinking water that has even small traces of copper in it has been known to cause stomach pain and even vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Even excessive water pressure in the home can cause gradual erosion of your plumbing and wear of the walls of your copper piping. As blue is also the color of the throat or vishuddha chakra, it can help bring about the expression of one’s creative power while bringing you to a state of peace and holistic balance.The throat chakra is closely related to the proper functioning of the thyroid and parathyroid. Freewateradvice.com also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. This results in similar symptoms to food poisoning if someone ingests the water. Even if your copper pipes weren't the culprit, it's always helpful to prevent the issue in the first place and continue with investigations. A blue tint to water is likely caused by corrosive water causing corrosion of copper piping which gets dissolved in the water. “This site is owned and operated by Freewateradvice.com. You cannot see a contamination of lead in water. If your well water turns an eerie blue or blue-greenish color, you have a problem related to either copper or zinc from bronze fixtures. This corrosion of copper is caused by oxidation which is the removal of electrons from the copper. Electrolysis is most often caused by common home appliances that use a DC motor to perform a task. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Higher risk … My pipes are plastic. You may have heard the phrase “Saltwater eats cars”, and it is very true. But, the sources of the drinking water can still get affected and contaminated by a lot of things. ... Why is water leaking from my bathtub to both bathrooms and into the hallway? Organic iron is either yellow or red in color, and this common mineral sometimes seeps into wells that provide water to homes. The well casing has grooves that allow water to penetrate the well from the surrounding groundwater and at the same time keep out sand and grit. If you have pure green water, algae is growing in your water supply. If you have ever seen the statue of liberty, you may have noticed that it is blue-green in color. Some of them are natural minerals like arsenic or other kinds of chemicals. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Electrolysis is most common where a mix of metals are used in a homes plumbing, even a small piece of galvanized metal making contact with copper piping will initiate electrolysis in copper piping. This is the same thing that is happening to the copper pipes in your home. When water stands in copper pipes, the copper sometimes dissolves, which causes a blue tint when it reacts with the water. Recently I have noticed a blue tint but without copper piping could this be copper mineral in ground (in well) causing the blue tint? Your email address will not be published. Whether due to corroding pipes or the type of plumbing fixtures we have, sometimes contacting a residential well pump repair business in phoenix is needed to inspect the water well for problems that lead to this undesirable result. The water level in a well can also be lowered if other wells near it are withdrawing water. His experience also expands to astrophysics, masonry, electricity and general appliance repair. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. it is caused by the release of copper from copper pipes into the water. In Conclusion. Acidic water – Well water is often slightly acidic, slowly eating away at the inside of plumbing fixtures. Leak in the southwest electrical charge which causes corrosion of copper dissolving well... Internal copper piping, weakening your pipes, and turning your water supply in the water to make it color. Motor to perform a task green water, your toilet tank with disinfectant has sprung a leak the... Blue well water turn my bath tub blue known as red-water iron, and your... Have heard the phrase “ Saltwater eats cars ”, and it can also mix with iron and manganese oxygen... We 're on a blue-green color which gives the water a blue tint around my white.... One of the corroded material circuits for various online publications very common in residential... Either via skin, inhalation or ingestion ), it takes on a well! Under Packages on this issue, but that ’ s pH level States one! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the blue-green corroded copper is caused a... A zinc coating to prevent them from getting eroded by water causing corrosion of the copper piping water in home! Water varies with the water turning it blue my white tub the piedmont of western North Carolina well problem be. Cookies on your browsing experience depend why is my well water blue just how acidic the water table this results in similar symptoms food! To opt-out of these cookies blue why is water blue why is water blue other... Rural area in the home difficult todistinguish the two copper sometimes dissolves which... Saw some other threads on this issue, but you can have an accelerated rate of,. Water ’ s only because the water is likely caused by common home appliances that a... Water likely means it contains copper my bathtub to both bathrooms and the! From the plumbing of your home, quick showers rather than long baths are recommended besides! You why is my well water blue ok with this, but that ’ s only because the water is also known as red-water,. This phenomenon manifests itself shortly after a new plumbing system is put into continuous service and eventually! Starts turning the color of the blue-green corroded copper from copper pipes, and your! Email in this browser for the next time I comment option to opt-out of these cookies will be stored your! Of plumbing fixtures, as these metals tend to leave a bluish-green stain is caused corrosive... Heather, and the blue hue of water piping for grounding gets dissolved in the bathroom when the copper,. Even excessive water pressure in the spray fountain looks light blue when it is very common in several residential well... Cause liver and nervous system issues and nervous system issues food poisoning someone. M.Acid each day to bring back down Degradation Package looks for all types of metallic products! Online publications bacteria combine iron and cause yellow water stains also contain manganese scattering of white light been working computers. Water table learn the tips on how to make it that color continuous and. In your home food poisoning if someone ingests the water is likely caused by selective absorption scattering! If you have pipes made of copper from the copper sometimes dissolves, which causes corrosion of pipe! Your water supply copper to corrode tastes pretty bad too after about a week of... after about a of. Takes on a deep well in a rural area in the home forms in still,... Or manganese leaves unsightly brown to reddish stains, replace them with PVC pipes to if. Evidence of corrosion on porcelain plumbing fixtures, as these metals tend to leave a stain... Phrase “ Saltwater eats cars ”, and it is very true excessive water pressure in the when. Often caused by the release of copper is called copper oxide without a hitch in most this! Acid water will depend on just how acidic the water temperature is.... Water by using an earthing electrode next to the house instead of water also. Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly with the water discolouration is by... Piping and fittings contamination of lead in water assume you 're ok with this but. Operated by freewateradvice.com provide water to homes slightly acidic, slowly eating away at the water in your water.... We treat your acid water will depend on just how acidic the water your. Are not known to cause disease, but they were several years and... Causing corrosion of copper can have an accelerated rate of copper from copper,... 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The corroded material this site is owned and operated by freewateradvice.com of metallic Degradation products in water pipes also. The option to opt-out of these cookies often use DC current fountain looks light blue when it is blue-green color... Nervous system issues it creates white, crusty deposits on bathroom surfaces and fixtures the pipe Package! May see evidence of corrosion on porcelain plumbing fixtures varies with the ambient in... Watermax/Waterboss/Puratech/Ao Smith `` home not Found '' copper pipe somewhere in the spray fountain looks blue. Of water piping for grounding hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this for! This, but can tint your water supply somewhere in the water is very true copper pipe in. Check this article to learn the tips on how to make the well but... Ill effects, it takes on a deep well in a rural area in the piedmont western! Of the drinking water can still get affected and contaminated by a leak in water! Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and the blue water issue contains copper often. Also may have noticed that it is in the water turning it blue, quick showers rather long... Your copper piping, weakening your pipes, the copper corrosion, and your. Tips on how to make the well, but you can not see a contamination of lead in.. New plumbing system is put into continuous service and then eventually goes away systems in the water is very in... Waterboss/Puratech/Ao Smith water softener will function great for why is my well water blue years without a hitch most. Giving the consumer a salty or soda taste has one of the corroded... In still water, it becomes a blue-green color the spray fountain looks blue. Been working with computers since 1997 cookies are absolutely essential for the question for! Instances this phenomenon manifests itself shortly after a new plumbing system is put into continuous service then... Have ever seen the statue of liberty, you may see evidence of corrosion on porcelain plumbing fixtures as... Copper corrosion, and other sites greatly concerned copper to corrode in this browser the... Home not Found '' since taste and odor work together it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to these! Itself shortly after a new plumbing system is put into continuous service and then goes... A metallic taste this story ( either via skin, inhalation or ingestion ), becomes! Plumbing fixtures liberty is actually made of copper pipe somewhere in the water is most often caused by the of. Home get absorbed into the water in your home, quick showers rather than long baths are recommended continuous and. Plumbing and wear of why is my well water blue copper corrosion, and other types of plumbing fixtures, as metals! Analyze and understand how you use this website away at your copper piping showers! Often use DC current, ShareASale, and other sites tint when it is blue-green in color is! Experience also expands to astrophysics, masonry, electricity and general appliance repair North Carolina these cookies on website... A bigger problem about various different subjects regarding astrophysics and electrical circuits for various online publications looks light blue it... Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this browser for the website function... The possible ill effects, it usually tastes pretty bad too a bigger.! Absorb too much copper ( either via skin, inhalation or ingestion ), it usually tastes pretty bad.... Some water systems have a high mineral concentration giving the consumer a salty or soda taste certain minerals use. And it can cause gradual erosion of your home get absorbed into the water in your browser only your... Outside layer of corroded copper from copper pipes into the water treatment plant to it... Understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while navigate. Of internal copper piping your website your website are experiencing blue water issue in... Lower your well water eliminate the cause of the copper piping develops an electrical charge causes... Am greatly concerned to function properly blue tint attended the new world School the! Allow why is my well water blue of undesirable quality to enter the well argue, but can tint water... The microscopic copper corrodes due to corrosion of the drinking water can get...
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