Looking for some advice - Green limescale/stains

daigo75

We moved into a new house recently, and I noticed that the shower, the sink and the shower head all have some unusual green stains. Images here: http://imgur.com/a/6xDsd

At first I thought it was the scum from some detergent, but then I noticed it on the shower head and I started wondering what it is. What I would like to figure out is how to get rid of it and, especially, if the water is safe to drink (we normally filter it with a jug filter).

Thanks in advance for all the replies.

scudo2

daigo75 wrote: »

We moved into a new house recently, and I noticed that the shower, the sink and the shower head all have some unusual green stains. Images here: http://imgur.com/a/6xDsd

At first I thought it was the scum from some detergent, but then I noticed it on the shower head and I started wondering what it is. What I would like to figure out is how to get rid of it and, especially, if the water is safe to drink (we normally filter it with a jug filter).

Thanks in advance for all the replies.

I'd suspect iron in the water corroding pipes and cylinder resulting in stains.

Contact a water filtration Co. to analyse water and fit appropate filters/treatment.

daigo75

scudo2 wrote: »

I'd suspect iron in the water corroding pipes and cylinder resulting in stains.

Contact a water filtration Co. to analyse water and fit appropate filters/treatment.

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. I realised that the stain is actually from copper (there are copper pipes in the house). It's the first time I see those stains, even though the houses where we lived before also had copper pipes. It may be that they didn't bother cleaning up the surface, or perhaps the pipes are just more oxidised. Anyway, I will see if I can get the water tested.

We filter it already, perhaps it may not be as bad as it looks. Any recommendation for a water testing company would be welcome, thanks.

Pump101

the green / blue straining is actually a sign of a low Ph.. meaning your water is acidic and is corroding your copper pipes. Its not a good thing to leave on the long finger. I would recommend getting the water tested at an independent lab and see what their results say and then contact a treatment company.

scudo2

daigo75 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. I realised that the stain is actually from copper (there are copper pipes in the house). It's the first time I see those stains, even though the houses where we lived before also had copper pipes. It may be that they didn't bother cleaning up the surface, or perhaps the pipes are just more oxidised. Anyway, I will see if I can get the water tested.

We filter it already, perhaps it may not be as bad as it looks. Any recommendation for a water testing company would be welcome, thanks. [/quote
Google Acornwater.com water testing.
You post them a water sample.

Or you can get DIY test kits, but not as accurate/good.

Pump101

your way better with an independent lab that has nothing to do with treatment. Your local health board will test it too. Also contact your local council as you may be eligible for a grant to rectify the problem. My first call tomorrow would be to your local council and ask for advice.. they will have a list of INAB accredited labs near you.

daigo75

Update: I brought the samples to the lab and asked a full test (chemical and microbiological), just in case. My main concern was the chemical test, which will take some weeks, but I got a surprise from the microbiological. Although the test is not complete, and results may change, they told me not to drink the tap water without boiling it first, as it's contaminated. They didn't yet tell me what the contaminants are because the tests are not final, but, if I had to guess, I would say E.Coli (it's one of the most frequent). Fortunately, we had stopped drinking that water due to the copper oxide (might have used a couple of litres for cooking, at the beginning), and we only use it for showering and for brushing the teeth, which, they told us, is fine as the exposure to contaminants is almost nil.

I reckon that the landlord won't be pleased by the results (and the chemical ones still have to come). When I told him that I was getting the water tested, he was surprised because previous tenants drank it and nobody ever had any issue, nor felt the need of getting it tested (probably it was never tested since the house was built, about ten years ago). I then discovered that, since the water is from a private well, they recommend to test it every year. Not sure I would go that route, it could become expensive, at 130 Euro a pop...

daigo75

Update
I got the official results for the microbiological tests. The water contains a high level of Enterococcus, i.e. is heavily contaminated. The detected level is 59. To give an idea of how bad this is, I've read that, at a level of 7, in some countries they put "no swimming" signs in ponds and lakes. Chemical results will arrive in a couple of weeks

Unfortunately, I don't see a way to avoid using the water for showering, I cannot wait weeks until the contamination is gone. I reckon that, as long as we don't drink that water, we should be safe enough. My main concern is about our kids, who tend to drink the soapy water in the bath every time we turn our head...

Next step: water treatment company. We will need to disinfect the well, the pipes and to put a filtration system in place. There are grants available for this kind of work, I just hope that it won't be a fight to get it, since we are not the owners of the property.