Private Well Owner – Elevated Levels of Aluminum in Drinking Water

We recently worked with a homeowner in Pennsylvania that was having some health related issues.  These issues appeared to be related to elevated levels of aluminum that were detected in the hair and blood.  We were asked to conduct a more detailed assessment.  Here are findings.

Ten Samples Collected

Sample 1- 2.99 mg/L(aluminum) – first flush hot water UT (untreated) Bathroom – suggests that this is leaching of aluminum from the water line or maybe the anode in tank

Sample 2 0.63 mg/L – hot water UT bathroom after flushing

Sample 3 < 0.05 mg/L cold water UT bathroom after flushing

Sample 4 < 0.05 mg/L bathroom shower  (UT)

Sample 5 < 0.05 mg/L cold water treated (T) and flushed – treatment carbon filter

Sample 6 1.0 mg/L hot water flushed the line (UT).

Sample 7 < 0.05 mg/L cold water refrigerator (Treated- carbon filter)

Sample 8 < 0.05 mg/L pyrex cup- put cold treated water in the cup

Sample 9 0.17 mg/L Kettle water boiled- put cold treated water in the cup

Sample 10 < 0.05 mg/L outside spigot- Untreated

Result

1. Problem is not the source
2. Problem appears to be related to corrosion or leaching from the hot water system or piping.
3. Additional aluminum source may be the kettle.

It is clear the problem is tied to the hot water system either the heater itself or it may have an aluminum anode or leaching out of the piping.  Flushing the lines does help significantly – but does not solve the problem with the hot water – Do NOT use the hot water for any cooking and only use treated water for cooking after the line has been flushed..

 Another hot spot was the kettle –  you may want to make tea another way – Pyrex cup was ok.

Point of the story

1. Sometimes – multiple water samples are needed to get the full picture.
2.  Cookware may be part of the problem.
3. We have also seen this problem when a well has elevated levels of bacteria, such as slime, iron, and sulfur, or an elevated level of methane

Original Content of http://www.pacleanwater.org

Other corrosion related problems with water – metallic taste, lead, copper, zinc

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