| Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution |
| Bad Taste |
Decaying organic matter |
Carbon filtration
Reverse osmosis |
| Odor |
Chlorine, hydrogen sulfide deposits (rotten egg smell) |
Carbon filtration
Reverse osmosis |
| Dirt and Rust |
Sand, silt, bad plumbing |
Sediment filter |
| Fixture Stains |
High and low pH (acid-alkaline, manganese, soluble iron) |
Water softener
Iron removal unit |
| Scale |
Water hardness |
Water softener
Sediment and carbon filter |
| Chemicals (Chlorine, Chloromines, TCE, PCB, TCA, DDE, DBCB) |
Industrial waste, pesticides, herbicides (agricultural), water treatment, spills, leaks |
Carbon filtration
Reverse osmosis |
| Dissolved Solids |
Inorganic minerals contained in soil |
Reverse osmosis |
| Salts and Heavy Metals |
Inorganic minerals contained in soil and plumbing |
Reverse osmosis |
| Asbestos, Radon |
Industry, inorganic minerals and gases contained in soil and plumbing |
Reverse osmosis |
| Calcium and Magnesium |
Inorganic minerals contained in soil and hardness |
Reverse osmosis
Water softener |
| High cost and inconvenience of bottled water |
Need and desire for good quality, potable water |
Point of use purification system using reverse osmosis |