Common water problems can easily be fixed and/or avoided if a few simple guidelines are followed.

• Smelly Water
• Rusty Water
• Milky Water
• Stained Fixtures
• Identify Common Water Contaminants by Their Sensory Clues
  

Smelly water
Most common cause is bacteria, called Divibrio Sulfuricans, which break down sulfates found naturally in water to sulfides. These combine with the hydrogen in the water to form hydrogen sulfide gas, giving off the smell of rotten eggs.

If the odor is not present in water outside the house (ie. Hose bib), check to see if you have iron or old galvanized piping. These may be deteriorating.

Hydrogen also often accumulates around the anode in the water heater. The situation is worse when oxygen levels in the water are low. Well water or seldom-used water can have depleted oxygen. Solution is to treat water with chlorine. If one treatment doesn't solve the problem, the anode rod may need to be replaced.

If the odor is present outside the house, the problem may originate at the source. You may be able to install a filter where the water enters your home.

Rusty water
Common cause is bacteria called Crenothrix, Leptothfix, or Gailionella, which react to iron found naturally in water. High iron levels are common in some areas. If untreated, these bacteria can cause damage to the water heater anode as well as plumbing fixtures and clothing.

This is rarely cause by water heater or storage tank because they're usually glass-lined. Water would have to come in contact with bare metal. Check for iron or old galvanized pipes. The solution is to treat water with chlorine.

Milky Water
Caused by dissolved oxygen and other gases released when water is heated or depressurized. These gases are harmless and will dissipate when water is left standing a few minutes.

Stained Fixtures
If water is staining your fixtures, the color of the stain will tell you what the problem is.

Reddish stains are usually caused by iron in the water.
There are a variety of different types of iron that can affect your water, creating problems from severe discoloration to mild staining. The method of treating "red" water problems will depend on the type of iron present. An expert may recommend a Water Softener, Filtration, or a combination of treatments.

Blue and Blue-Green Stains are usually due to the presence of copper in the water supply. Corrosion in copper plumbing is the most common source of this problem.

In addition to stains, copper also affects the taste of drinking water and is toxic to aquarium fish. If you use water for photography or hair dying, watch out; copper distorts the chemical interactions in these processes. Copper can be removed with a Water Softener system, but when pipe corrosion is the source of the problem, first address this issue by consulting a plumbing expert. Also make sure that the pH of the water is raised to appropriate level.

• Cisterns
  Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting  (PDF) - although this document was written for Texas, almost everything in it applies everywhere
  
  
• Water Wells
  Wellowner.org
  Nat'l Groundwater Association
  
  
• State of Kentucky
  Building a Cistern for Home Water Supply
  Cisterns for Kentucky
  Management of Wells for Drinking Water
  Assesing and Reducing the Risk of Groundwater Contamination from Drinking Well Water Condition
  
  
• State of Ohio
  State of Ohio Rules on Private Water Systems - These rules apply to both wells and cisterns.
  
  
• Graywater (for non-drinking use)
  Home Use of Graywater, Rainwater - from the State of Arizona
  
  

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