Whats in Your Water
FAQs
For inquiries regarding water systems, feel free to reach us at 952-288-4304. We're here to assist you. Here are answers to some common questions:
What causes hard water?
Hard water results from groundwater collecting elevated levels of calcium and magnesium. Although not a health risk, it can be an inconvenience.
Does Tonka Water West repair and service water softeners and drinking water systems?
Absolutely! At Tonka Water West, we provide services for water softeners, iron filters, and drinking water systems.
Offering excellent customer service is our priority.
Can we rent a water softener?
No, not at this time.
Your office is closed, but I need service.
Our office is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday - Friday. For assistance outside these hours, give us a call 952-288-4304
Why does my water stain my sinks, bathtubs, and clothing?
This staining is caused by iron in the water. An iron filter can help address this issue, as the amount of iron in water can vary.
Do you supply bottled water?
No, we don't supply bottled water. However, we offer installation, sales, and services for Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water systems, eliminating the need for bottled water.
What is Tonka Water West's service area?
Please reach out to us to confirm if your location falls within our service area.
We serve various areas including Arlington, Belle Plaine, Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, Cologne, Crystal Bay, Delano, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Green Isle, Hamburg, Hamel, Hopkins, Jordan, Lester Prairie, Le Sueur, Long Lake, Loretto, Maple Plain, Mayer, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, Navarre, New Germany, New Prague, Norwood, Plato, Prior Lake, St. Bonifacius, St. Louise Park, St. Paul, Savage, Shakopee, Silver Lake, Spring Park, Victoria, Waconia, Wayzata, Winsted, and Young America.
Hard Water Problems
Hard water wreaks havoc on numerous surfaces, leaving behind mineral deposits on plumbing fixtures and pipes. It contributes to dry hair, itchy skin, lackluster laundry, spotty dishes, and reduced appliance efficiency.
Water hardness is typically measured in grains of hardness per gallon (GPG).
Hard water arises from elevated levels of calcium and magnesium, which adhere to surfaces and cause more than just visual residue—they can also inflict damage on your home and lead to financial losses.
Common hard water issues include:
-
Stains and buildup on sinks, showerheads, and dishes
-
Dryness of skin and hair
-
Costly long-term damage to water appliances
Smelly Water
Prior to reaching your home, water can absorb odorous contaminants from various sources such as the surrounding soil near private wells, extensive underground utility pipes, or even the local municipal water supply. While these contaminants may not be visible, the moment you turn on the tap or raise a glass, an unpleasant odor becomes apparent.
Common water odor problems include:
-
A "rotten-egg" odor caused by hydrogen sulfide in the soil near your well
-
A musty, wood-like aroma stemming from organic contaminants like algae or total dissolved solids (TDS)
-
A "bleachy" scent resulting from chlorine added by municipalities
-
A soapy or chemical smell originating from contaminated private wells
Contaminants
Certain hazardous water contaminants are undetectable by taste, smell, or appearance. These contaminants can infiltrate your water system through private wells, extensive underground utility pipes, or even the local municipal water supply.
Common contaminants include:
-
Arsenic
-
Turbidity
-
Lead
-
Nitrates
-
Radon
High Iron - Orange Water
Iron contamination originates from various sources, including the soil surrounding private wells, pipe corrosion, and natural reactions with waterborne elements. The presence of iron manifests in diverse forms, necessitating accurate identification for effective treatment.
If your water appears clear initially but transforms into a reddish or brown hue upon standing, you likely have ferrous iron, also termed "clear-water" iron. Conversely, if your water exhibits a red or yellow tint upon immediate extraction, you're dealing with ferric iron, also dubbed "red-water" iron. Organic iron typically presents as yellow or brown, though it may lack color entirely.
Common issues associated with high iron content in water include:
-
Red-brown stains on fixtures, sinks, and tubs
-
Rust stains or residue on laundry
-
Water with a metallic taste, appearing yellow, brown, red, or orange
-
Certain foods prepared in water, such as potatoes and teas, turning black
Acidic water, characterized by a pH level below 7, typically originates from sources like acid mine runoff or acidic industrial waste infiltrating the water supply. This water not only has an unpleasant taste but also poses significant risks to plumbing and appliances, as it corrodes copper upon contact.
Common issues associated with acidic water include:
-
Pinhole leaks in plumbing
-
Blue-green stains on fixtures, sinks, and tubs
-
Blue stains or residue on laundry, along with light-colored hair tinted blue-green
-
Metallic taste
Acid Water
Chlorine
Municipalities frequently employ chlorine for disinfecting municipal water supplies, ensuring its safety for consumption, albeit with a potent smell and taste.
Various factors influence the intensity of the chlorine odor, including the distance between the public water source and your residence, water temperature, and duration of air exposure. Apart from being unappealing, the resulting tastes and odors can lead to skin and hair dryness.
Common issues associated with chlorinated water include:
-
A bleach-like or swimming pool odor
-
A bitter, metallic, or disinfectant-like taste
-
Dry, itchy skin
-
Brittle, damaged hair
Bad Taste
Prior to entering your home, water has the potential to accumulate unpleasant-tasting contaminants from private wells, extensive underground utility pipes, or the local municipal water source.
Although many municipalities add chlorine to counteract these contaminants, it can exacerbate the taste issues. Common water taste problems include:
-
A sour, salty, bitter, or metallic taste attributed to total dissolved solids (TDS), typically chlorides, sulfates, and bicarbonates
-
A bleach-like taste resulting from chlorine addition
-
A musty, woody taste caused by organic contaminants like algae
-
A soapy or chemical taste originating from contaminated private wells
PFAS
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals that were extensively utilized in industrial and consumer product manufacturing until the year 2000. However, prior to their phase-out, PFAS were discharged into the environment, contaminating drinking water supplies, particularly in proximity to manufacturing facilities. Exposure to these chemicals in drinking water can lead to various health concerns, including developmental effects, cancer, liver damage, immune disorders, and thyroid imbalance. Pregnant women and infants are particularly vulnerable to these health effects.
The EPA has established the limit for PFAS in drinking water at 4 parts per trillion. As a member of both the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), Culligan ensures that its bottled water undergoes rigorous analysis and testing to guarantee compliance with or surpassing EPA standards. This commitment ensures the delivery of safe and enjoyable water for you and your family.
Chloramine
Enhancing the Customer Experience with Chloramine Removal
Chloramine, a commonly used water disinfectant, can adversely affect the taste and odor of water and ice, as well as degrade beverage quality. With chloramine being utilized by water utilities since the 1930s, it's estimated that over one in five Americans consume drinking water treated with chloramines. To combat the unpleasant taste and odor caused by chloramine, a reliable chloramine filtration system is essential.
Customer Experience
-
Reduces chloramine from water, resulting in better-tasting beverages and higher-quality ice
-
Provides water free from the unpleasant taste and odor of chloramine and chlorine
Operational Efficiency
-
High flow/high capacity systems with minimal pressure drop ensure a consistent water flow
-
Modular system design offers flexibility, allowing installation as a standalone solution or combined with other filtration and CLM cartridges to enhance capacities and flow rates as required
-
Long-lasting, high-capacity filtration reduces the frequency of change-outs and lowers operating costs
Equipment Protection
-
Optimizes fountain and brewing equipment by reducing sediment and scale-causing minerals
-
Maintains a steady flow rate to enhance water-using equipment performance
-
Minimizes scale build-up and pitting on ice machines, extending equipment life and reducing service calls
Sediment
Understanding the Impact of Sediment in Water
Sediment, comprised of sand, clay, dirt, and organic particles suspended within water, can significantly affect the quality of drinking water. Beyond altering the appearance of beverages, these particles can inflict damage on plumbing, pumps, dispensers, and other water appliances, leading to potential clogs and reduced water flow throughout the system.
SYMPTOMS: Grit and scale build-up on equipment, along with cloudy beverages, and health risks for consumers.
APPLICATIONS AFFECTED: Coffee/tea brewers, steamers/combi-ovens, boilers, ice makers, and fountain beverage machines.
SOLUTION: Utilize particulate filtration.
Why Opt for Sediment PRE-FILTRATION?
Although sediment is a natural occurrence in water, it can lead to discoloration, unpleasant tastes and odors, and equipment issues. Incorporating a sediment water filter is crucial for enhancing water quality and customer satisfaction, while also prolonging the lifespan and optimizing the performance of all water-using equipment.
TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)
Understanding Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) represents a comprehensive measurement encompassing all organic and inorganic substances present in water, including minerals, salts, and metals. Predominantly comprised of inorganic salts like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate, TDS is accurately quantified by evaporating a water sample and measuring the weight of the dried solids.
Dissolved minerals in drinking water originate from both natural sources, such as the dissolution of rocks as water flows over them, and human activities, including the chemicals utilized in water treatment processes and the materials used in conveying water through pipelines and fixtures.
While the TDS level in water does not provide specific insights into water hardness, metal content, or salt concentration, nor does it indicate the bacterial quality of drinking water, conducting a comprehensive water quality test is imperative to ascertain the presence of any harmful substances.
Symptoms of elevated TDS levels include compromised beverage quality, off-tastes in beverages, and cloudiness in ice. Understanding the composition of TDS is crucial; for instance, high water hardness attributed to TDS can lead to hardness scaling and equipment damage, while high chloride levels can trigger stainless steel corrosion.
Applications affected by TDS include coffee/tea brewers, steamers/combi-ovens, boilers, ice makers, and fountain beverage machines.
Treatment options for reducing TDS in drinking water include Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems, which force water through a fine membrane with microscopic pores, reducing most ions and particles to purify water to its safest and purest form. Additionally, very high water hardness is effectively addressed with a water softener, while moderate hardness is mitigated by a quality polyphosphate cartridge.
