What undesirable substances can be found in water?

There are many substances found in water that can have a negative effect on the human body. These may be trace elements, minerals, bacteria viruses or other organic or inorganic substances. Only a water analysis can reliably detect them. In addition, water analysis can reveal the quality of the water, whether it is drinkable or can answer the question of which type of filter is best for you.

The most common and well-known substances that we measure and remove in water:

Chlorine (Cl) – has its positive side (it effectively disinfects, gets rid of bacteria, prevents the spread of some diseases), but also its negative side (highly toxic substance – when reacting with other substances in the water, THM toxins are formed).
Nitrates (NO3) and nitrites (NO2) – characteristic especially of waters near fields and agricultural operations. Filtration devices with an anex fill are used to remove them.
Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) – are the easiest substances to detect in water – they also affect its colour, smell and taste. For elevated levels of iron and manganese, we recommend using Waterboss, which not only effectively removes these substances from the water, but also softens the water.
Bacteria and viruses – can easily get into the water source and can only be detected by water analysis. When bacteria are present in water, there are several options for removing them, from chemical (using ozone, chlorine or its compounds) to physical (using a UV water lamp).

Bacteria observed in drinking water in Slovakia and the Czech Republic:
– Escherichia coli (max. 0 KTJ/100 ml)
– Coliform bacteria (max. 0 KTJ/100 ml)
– Enterococci (max. 0 KTJ/100 ml)
– Mesophilic bacteria (max. 20 KTJ / 1 ml)
– Psychrophilic bacteria (max. 200KTJ / 1 ml)
– Pathogenic bacteria (max. 0KTJ/100 ml)

The following table shows the limits set for these substances and the health complications that exceeding them can cause:

Other substances contained in water:

Calcium and magnesium (water hardness) – Forms scale, the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water determines the hardness of water – more on hard water.
Reaction of water (pH) – (6.5-9.5) laymen divides water into living and dead, using a water ionizer.
Dissolved solids (TDS) – (max. 1000 mg/l) is a value that indicates the amount of all dissolved substances in the water.
Chlorides (Cl) – (max. 100 mg/l) very often determine the amount of faecal contamination of water.
Sulphates (SO42-) – (max. 250 mg/l) cause overfeeding and digestive problems.
COD-Mn (Chemical Oxygen Demand) – (max. 3 mg/l) gives information mainly about organic pollution of the water.
Turbidity (max. 5 ZF) is the optical brightness of water caused by insoluble, mechanical particles.
Color, smell and taste are sensory properties of water.

Heavy metals in water:

Arsenic (As) – together with its compounds, is used in agriculture as a pesticide – in this way it enters the soil and subsequently the water.
Cadmium (Cd) – is mainly found in wastewater, where it enters as a result of plastics production, metal treatment, printing and photographic industries. It has a negative effect on human health, causing bone decalcification, tooth pigmentation and anaemia.
Lead (Pb) – The most common cause of lead in water is lead water pipes through which water flows.
Mercury (Hg) – affects the nervous system, damages the heart, kidneys, liver and other vital organs – pregnant women and children are most at risk.
Copper (Cu) – poses a hazard especially in combination with acidic water.
Beryllium (Be) – is a highly toxic substance to the aquatic environment, beryllium and its salts are also carcinogenic.
Chromium (Cr) – The release of chromium into water is due to textile production, leather processing and the manufacture of dyes and pigments.

Other monitored organics in water:

– organically bound chlorine (OCl)
– Trihalomethanes (THMs)
– chloroform (CHCl3)
– Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
– Petroleum substances (NEL)
– Anionic tensides (PAL-A)
– Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Aluminium (Al) – Similar to copper, there is a danger especially when aluminium surfaces and acidic water are combined, causing its release into the water and subsequent damage to health.

Cyanides (Cn) – are introduced into water as a result of the coal mining, photographic and metal processing industries. They are very toxic to humans, poisoning is manifested by headaches, nausea, fatigue, in increased doses it blocks tissues from processing oxygen.

If you have water contaminated with any of the above mentioned substances, do not hesitate to contact us – we will help you find a suitable solution for water treatment (whether for household or industry).