How do we know what’s in our water?
Do you test the water?
What is causing the blue/green staining?
What is causing the brown/red staining?
What is causing the black staining?
Why do we have smelly water?
Why does our water taste funny?
Why does our water taste salty?
Do you treat water for farms and industry?
Why do our glassware and basins have a white build up that’s hard to remove?
We think we are getting sick from bugs in our water, what can we do?

How do we know what’s in our water?

If you are on either bore or stream water, a chemical/mineral water test is recommended.  This will give us a snapshot of the make-up of the water supply.  The level of contamination and the flow rate of the water are relative to the size of the system needed for treatment.  We recommend a micro-biological test to screen for bugs in the water.  Sterilising the water with the appropriate filters and sterilisers is, however, recommended in order to prevent the water quality becoming compromised at a later date.

Do you test the water?

Yes, we do.  We have our own testing equipment which includes titration, photometers, Dr Schilling Burettes and probes.  We prefer to come on-site to inspect the water collection, storage, reticulation and usage.  This enables us to accurately take water samples and enables us to look at other areas where the system could be modified to make it more efficient – saving you money.  We use an accredited laboratory to test for bugs.  All water test results are supplied with recommendations, pricing (including ongoing costs), further maintenance and other options that may be available.  The testing and recommendations are done in compliance with the current Drinking Water Standards of New Zealand (NZDWS).

What is causing the blue/green staining?

Blue/green staining occurs when the water is acidic/corrosive.  This generally occurs when rainwater is collected and stored in plastic tanks. The discolouration is a result of the copper pipes dissolving.  The plumbing can deteriorate to the point where the pipes burst.  In some cases bore water can also be acidic.

What is causing the brown/red staining?

Brown/red staining is generally caused by high levels of iron in the water supply.  There are many different kinds of iron found in underground water.  Mineral water testing will determine the best course of treatment.  Sometimes the water is brown as a result of dirt entering the water source.

What is causing the black staining?

High levels of manganese can cause black staining.  Once again, water testing will determine how much of it there is and the best course of action to take.

Why do we have smelly water?

Odorous water can be as a result of high iron content.  It could also be caused by rotting vegetation.  A “rotten egg” smell indicates a presence of hydrogen sulphide.  Micro-biologically contaminated water can also cause a smell. T here may even be dead animal floating in your tank!  In the summer months, it’s very common for rain water to become smelly.  This is as a result of the water stagnating in the underground pipes and hot tanks.  If this is the case, treating the water with Steripure or filtering it with carbon takes care of the problem.

Why does our water taste funny?

A number of things can make your water taste odd.  Firstly identifying the water source (rain, stream, bore, town etc), can help identify cause of the problem.  If the water originates from a bore, a chemical/mineral test will point to the cause of the odd taste.  Town water is likely to taste of the chlorine, which can be objectionable.  This can be treated by carbon filtration.

Why does our water taste salty?

This is a complaint we generally get from customers with water supplies near on the coast.  It is a result of salt water intrusion getting into the water supply.  Occasionally we get the same complaint from inland water supplies.  Salty water can only be treated with reverse osmosis.
We are a school/marae/convention centre/backpackers; how do we make our water safe and compliant?
We have qualified, NZQA-accredited technicians available to undertake public health risk management plans for you.  These involve identifying problems and making recommendations of all small water supplies including collection, storage, treatment and reticulation.

Do you treat water for farms and industry?

We treat water for any sized farm and for most forms of industry. Projects that we have undertaken  include  aluminium  manufacturing, ultrasonic cleaning, chrome spraying, church fonts, boilers, chillers, pharmaceutical manufacturing, ice making and orchards, to name a few.

Why do our glassware and basins have a white build up that’s hard to remove?

This could be from either hard water (high calcium content) or silica.  

We think we are getting sick from bugs in our water, what can we do?

The water can tested for bugs.  The problem is that unprotected water can be contaminated at any time.  We therefore recommend the installation of filtration and ultraviolet sterilisers.  It is a very cost-effective, non-chemical and reliable way of treating “unsafe” water.