ᐅ Excessive Copper Levels in Drinking Water – Tips for Identifying the Cause?
Created on: 4 Jun 2012 12:46
E
edel6101Hello,
We moved into our newly built house just under a year ago. Shortly after moving in, there was a severe storm, which forced us to boil our water for a while. We quickly noticed that the limescale residues in the pot were not the usual whitish color but clearly greenish. And this only happens in our house.
Water analyses have shown that the copper level is elevated. We measured about 1.5 mg/l (1.5 ppm) at the hot water outlets in the kitchen and bathroom. The cold water value, however, is only about 0.29 mg/l (0.29 ppm).
It has been checked whether the water entering our house is “clean.” This has been confirmed, with a value of 0.043 mg/l (0.043 ppm).
So far, some valves and check valves made of red brass between the house connection and the hot water storage tank have been replaced, but this has not changed the analysis results. According to the plumbing company, the actual supply pipes are made of stainless steel.
After many analyses carried out so far, we unfortunately find ourselves back at the starting point with no clue where to look next or where the copper contamination could be coming from.
I have been buying case after case of bottled water for almost a year now, as I don’t use our tap water for food preparation. And this has been going on for nearly a year with no end in sight.
Has anyone else experienced a similar problem or have any ideas on how copper levels in the house water could become so high?
Thank you very much for your feedback and help.
We moved into our newly built house just under a year ago. Shortly after moving in, there was a severe storm, which forced us to boil our water for a while. We quickly noticed that the limescale residues in the pot were not the usual whitish color but clearly greenish. And this only happens in our house.
Water analyses have shown that the copper level is elevated. We measured about 1.5 mg/l (1.5 ppm) at the hot water outlets in the kitchen and bathroom. The cold water value, however, is only about 0.29 mg/l (0.29 ppm).
It has been checked whether the water entering our house is “clean.” This has been confirmed, with a value of 0.043 mg/l (0.043 ppm).
So far, some valves and check valves made of red brass between the house connection and the hot water storage tank have been replaced, but this has not changed the analysis results. According to the plumbing company, the actual supply pipes are made of stainless steel.
After many analyses carried out so far, we unfortunately find ourselves back at the starting point with no clue where to look next or where the copper contamination could be coming from.
I have been buying case after case of bottled water for almost a year now, as I don’t use our tap water for food preparation. And this has been going on for nearly a year with no end in sight.
Has anyone else experienced a similar problem or have any ideas on how copper levels in the house water could become so high?
Thank you very much for your feedback and help.
I need to ask again because I discussed this with some acquaintances. Is it really the copper level and not the iron level??? Elevated iron levels are actually more common in drinking water, and there are specific filtration systems for that. Maybe you could just reply again:
edel6101 schrieb:
According to the plumbing company, the actual pipes are made of stainless steel.This should keep the amount of copper shavings to a minimum. 🙄.