Plumbing Problems Can Allow Contaminants to Enter Your Home’s Water Supply

Plumbing problems can do more than just cause water damage. Some plumbing problems allow contaminants to enter your home’s water supply. Water contaminants can be especially harmful to infants, young children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

Don’t ignore a plumbing problem. Give 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration a call. We’ve been providing affordable plumbing repairs to home and business owners in the Oceanside, CA, area since 2012. Our team of Oceanside plumbing contractors has the expertise and tools to tackle just about any plumbing problem that may arise.

Plumbing Problems That Can Contaminate Your Home’s Water Supply

Corroded Pipes and Fixtures

Metal pipes can corrode over time, releasing potentially toxic metals like lead, copper, iron, and zinc into your home’s water supply.

Pipes and Plumbing Made from Outdated Materials

Metals and other metals can leach into your home’s water supply via old, outdated pipes and plumbing.

Pinhole Leaks

As copper pipes start to decay, they can develop small holes called pinhole leaks. Typically, less than 1/8 inch wide, pinhole leaks are big enough to allow everything from bacteria to sediments to pesticides to fertilizers to infiltrate your drinking supply.

Loose Joints and Connections

Over the years, plumbing connections and seals can become loose and damaged. This can create spaces between the joints that allow pathogens, heavy metals, sediments, and other contaminants to enter your water supply.

Sewage Backups

Ground movement caused by erosion or seismic activity, corrosion, or clogs, can block a sewer line, causing the wastewater in the sewer line to begin to back up. This wastewater contains a whole host of potentially harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, protozoans, and parasites.

Water Main Breaks

In addition to wasting water, water main breaks can introduce contaminants into your home’s fresh water supply.

There are Four Types of Water Contaminants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes four broad categories of drinking water contaminants:

• Physical contaminants, such as sediment or organic materials suspended in the water.
• Chemical contaminants can be naturally occurring or man-made. Examples of chemical water contaminants can include nitrogen, bleach, salts, pesticides, metals, etc.
• Biological contaminants also referred to as microbes or microbiological contaminants can include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites.
• Radiological contaminants emit ionizing radiation. Examples of radiological contaminants in drinking water can include cesium, uranium, and plutonium.

Signs That Your Home’s Water Supply May be Contaminated

Here are some signs that you may have a contaminated plumbing system:’

Cloudy Water

Brown or dirty water could be a sign that sediments and organic materials have entered your water supply.

Discolored Water

Discolored water indicates that there may be corroded materials in your water supply.

Strange Odors

Water is naturally odorless. Smells like rotten eggs, human waste, sulfur, or mildew could be caused by microbes in your plumbing.

Odd Tasting Water

Water with a bitter, sour, or metallic taste could be a sign that your pipes are corroding and releasing metals into your water supply.

1st Choice is Available Whenever You Need Us

Don’t let a plumbing problem place you and your family’s health at risk. 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration is available 24/7 to repair whatever plumbing problem you may be experiencing. Phone us at 866-437-0205 or contact us through our website to schedule a service call today.