Welcome to our December Newsletter

Happy Holidays! Every year brings about new challenges and 2020 was no exception. We are now certainly living in a different world but take some time this holiday season to slow down and enjoy all that you have. All of us at Granite State Analytical and A & L Laboratory would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

In this Edition Granular Activated Carbon for Water Treatment Why Does My Water Smell Like Eggs? Preparing for Winter Industry News

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Granular Activated Carbon for Water Treatment

Activated carbon filters sometimes referred to as charcoal filters contain small pieces of carbon, in granular or block form, which are extremely porous and have a large surface area. When the water flows through active carbon filters some contaminants stick to the carbon through a process called adsorption. Absorption soaks up particles like a sponge and adsorption adheres particles to a surface like a piece of Velcro. Beyond physical adsorption, activated carbon also facilitates chemical reactions; chlorine creates a common reaction. When chlorine comes into contact with activated carbon, both molecules react to form chloride ions, effectively removing chlorine from water. Due to the large and extremely porous surface area, carbon filters are very effective a reducing bad tastes, odors, and other particles in water. According to the EPA, carbon filters remove at least 81 chemicals and are effective at reducing another 52. It is also the only filtering material that removes all 12 identified herbicides and 14 pesticides, along with all 32 identified organic contaminants. There are some materials that carbon does not filter such as some healthy minerals; magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium; dissolved solids such as salts and iron; microbiological contaminants such as cysts, coliform and other bacteria; inorganic contaminants such as arsenic or asbestos; and radionuclides, although these are reduced.

Why Does My Water Smell Like Eggs

Have you ever turned on your faucet and thought, “why does this stink like rotten eggs?” If so, you’re not alone! This smell comes from hydrogen sulfide gas, which occurs naturally in groundwater when the water comes into contact with organic matter or minerals. When the matter decomposes underground where oxygen isn’t available, it can be changed into hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas gets trapped inside the water and when it’s pumped to the surface (like when you turn on your faucet), the gas escapes and gives off its eggy smell. The easiest and most cost-effective way to manage this smell from occurring is to shock, or chlorinate, your well using household, unscented bleach. Chlorinating your well disinfects by destroying bacteria and microorganisms by using 100 to 400 times the amount of chlorine found in municipal water supplies. If your well is drilled and over 200 feet deep, you may want to use chlorine tablets, which can be picked up at your local swimming pool supply or home improvement store. For complete step-by-step instructions on how to chlorinate your well, please visit our websites. If the egg smell continuously returns and/or gets worse, you may want to consider contacting a water treatment company to discuss treatment options.

Preparing for Winter

Winter is approaching quickly here in New England, which means it’s time to start thinking about preparing for the low temperatures. For private well owners, this means making sure your well is insulated and protected from the frigid elements. Since most of the components of a well are underground, they are unlikely to freeze. However, there is plumbing and pipes that are above the ground that are exposed to the elements that will need to be insulated. You can buy pipe insulation and heating tape at a hardware or plumbing supply store. Wrap the pipes in the heat tape, then cover with the insulation. Pipes in colder areas of your home should also be wrapped and insulated. Other components of your plumbing such as filtration, pressure tanks or switches should also be insulated and protected from the cold. Another way to keep pipes from freezing is to make sure you are running the water regularly. If water is not moving through the pipes, it gives it an opportunity to freeze which can result in blown pipes, which can be quite the mess. If you are planning to leave your home unoccupied for an extended period of time, proper steps should be taken to close down your well and shut off filtration. A well company would be able to help you prepare your home and well for winter if you plan to be away. It is also a good idea to have a back-up source of power available if you live in an area that loses electricity in inclement weather. This way you can ensure you will be able to use your water in the event of a power outage. Make sure to clean snow away from your well so it is accessible in case emergency service is needed and make certain everyone in the household knows where the water shut-off is in the event of a burst pipe. If you have any questions about how to prepare your well and pipes for the winter months, you can contact your well professionals for more tips and tricks. Or, we would be happy to recommend a specialist that can help you.

NEWS THROUGHOUT OUR INDUSTRY

Pipes Could Release Toxic Chromium into Tap Water Legionella and Other Dangerous Pathogens Still Lurk in U.S. Drinking Water New Bioreactor to Prevent Water Pollution in Cedar Rapids ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found In Chesapeake Seafood and Maryland Drinking Water N.J. Sues Firm over Chemicals in Drinking Water PFAS Filtration Technology Approved in Mansfield, MA

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