Basic Mineral

Water supplies should be initially tested for its basic mineral content. Minerals in drinking water throughout North Georgia are generally not harmful if consumed but can cause corrosion, scale buildup, or staining that can damage the water system, faucets, and any other fixtures/appliances that the water comes in contact with. If the water is too corrosive lead and copper can be leached from the plumbing and cause health related problems. Scale buildup from calcium, iron, and manganese can give bacteria places to grow. The bacteria can produce a bio-film over the scale buildup that protects them from chlorine or other chemicals used for disinfection. American Water Services can perform a basic mineral analysis which includes tests for:

• Alkalinity
• pH
• Total Dissolved Solids
• Turbidity
• Hardness
• Iron
• Manganese
• Phosphate
• Sulfate