Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions a person can make in their lifetime. While homebuyers are focused on factors like location, price, and condition of the property when house hunting, one crucial element often overlooked is the quality of the water. Especially in areas like Tampa Bay that rely on groundwater sources like the Floridan Aquifer, comprehensive water testing should be a mandatory part of any real estate transaction.
Why Water Quality Matters for Homebuyers
Clean, contaminant-free water is essential for our health and wellbeing. When harmful substances like lead, arsenic, bacteria, nitrates, and other pollutants make their way into our water supply, it can lead to illness, skin issues, and long-term health problems. This is especially concerning for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
In addition to health hazards, poor water quality can damage plumbing and appliances, lead to scale build-up, and make water taste and smell unpleasant. Issues like hard water and iron staining can increase household costs and maintenance requirements. No homebuyer wants to discover water problems after moving in.
Common Water Contaminants in Tampa Bay
The water quality in any region depends on factors like the source, natural geology, environmental pollution, and water treatment methods. Here are some of the top water contaminants facing homeowners in the Tampa Bay area:
Hard Water
Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium minerals which can leave white scale on plumbing fixtures and appliances. Tampa Bay's groundwater is naturally very hard due to its flow through limestone aquifers. Hard water makes cleaning more difficult, damages hot water heaters, and can leave skin and hair feeling irritated. The AquaLux Water Softener from Aqua-Wise is an effective system for reducing water hardness.
Iron
Iron in water causes reddish-brown staining of plumbing fixtures, laundry, and sinks. At higher levels, iron impacts taste and odor. The iron oxide particles can clog plumbing over time. Aqua-Wise's AquaCarbonGuard Catalytic Carbon Filter is specially designed to remove iron and other metals from well water or city water sources.
Sulfur and Hydrogen Sulfide
Sulfur compounds lead to rotten egg odor and black staining. The issue often occurs in well water with sulfur bacteria. Hydrogen sulfide gas can corrode plumbing and release toxic fumes. A whole house system like the AquaBlue Whole House Filter from Aqua-Wise can eliminate sulfur problems.
Bacteria
Bacteria including E. coli, coliform, and giardia from sewage, surface water infiltration, or animal waste can enter water systems. The AquaGuard UV Disinfection System uses ultraviolet light to destroy 99.99% of bacteria without chemicals.
Chlorine
City water systems use chlorine to disinfect but it can react with organics to form trihalomethanes (THMs)–potential cancer-causing compounds. The residual taste and smell of chlorine is removed by Aqua-Wise's AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis drinking water system.
Lead and Heavy Metals
Lead leaches into water from old pipes and plumbing components. Copper, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and other toxic metals can dissolve into groundwater from rock formations, industrial waste, landfills, or fertilizers. Aqua-Wise's innovative HydroClear Ozone Generator kills bacteria and also oxidizes metals like iron, manganese, lead, and arsenic for removal by filtration.
Nitrates and Pharmaceuticals
Septic systems, agricultural fertilizers, and treated wastewater can be sources of nitrates and pharmaceutical compounds like antibiotics and hormones in both well water and public water supplies. Aqua-Wise's advanced water purification systems can remove these emerging water contaminants.
Radon Gas
Radon is a radioactive gas that enters homes through well water and breaks down into cancer-causing particles in the air. The AquaBlue Whole House Filter from Aqua-Wise contains special media to reduce radon in water to make indoor air safer.
Why Water Testing is Critical When Buying a Home
Because water quality issues are seldom obvious by sight alone, a professional lab analysis is the only way to identify potential hazards in a home's water supply. Water testing needs to check for an extensive list of organic and inorganic chemicals, metals, bacteria, and other contaminants.
The time for assessment is before purchasing the property, not after. Water problems that would influence the buying decision and sale price can then be factored in. Additionally, the buyer gains insight into water treatment requirements and costs.
Water testing is most commonly performed during a whole house inspection. Home inspectors can collect samples and arrange testing but often lack expertise in water treatment solutions. Buyers should be sure to use a water testing provider that offers both accurate lab analysis and knowledgeable recommendations for addressing any issues detected in the testing report.
Partner with Aqua-Wise for Water Testing & Treatment
As Tampa's top water treatment company, Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions has the expertise, advanced testing capabilities, and treatment systems to help homebuyers ensure water safety in their new home.
Aqua-Wise is a certified water testing lab that performs comprehensive analysis for all primary and secondary contaminants according to EPA standards. Their innovative HyperTest Plus series of water tests check for over 180 chemicals, metals, bacteria, and other water quality parameters.
In addition to lab-certified testing, their water specialists provide tailored solutions ranging from whole house filtration systems to reverse osmosis drinking water units that will effectively resolve water issues identified in the home inspection. Ongoing customer service and support is a hallmark of their business.
Aqua-Wise also serves commercial property buyers needing specialized water assessment and treatment for restaurants, hotels, medical facilities, and other businesses. Contact them today to learn more about water testing and treatment options for your pending real estate purchase.
Discounts, Promotions, and Financing Options
Schedule your FREE Aqua-Wise water test today and receive additional discounts on treatment systems for your new home. Ask about available promotions, rebates, and flexible financing plans to make clean, safe water affordable.
Additional Resources
CDC - Water Testing and Treatment: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/testing.html
Florida Department of Health - Water Quality Information: http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/index.html
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