Harvey W. Hottel, Inc.

Since 1945

• Residential Services
• Commercial Services
• Geothermal
• Engineering/Design Build

Resources

Potential Health Effects from Corrosion and Metal in Drinking Water

While trace amounts of metal -- many of which essential to human health -- are common in drinking water, drinking water containing high levels of essential metals or any trace of toxic metals may be hazardous to your health.

Low levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and sodium in drinking water bolster human health and must be present for normal body functions. However, those metals in high levels, or any level of such toxic metals as aluminum, mercury, lead, selenium, and arsenic, among others, can lead to health problems ranging from kidney damage, anemia, insomnia, growth inhibition, and even death.

Metals in your water supply may occur naturally or be produced through contamination, such as pipe corrosion or waste leakage. Sources of corrosion must be replaced and metals must be removed from water. If metals are present in water because of pipe corrosion, the water can be neutralized, while other methods for metal removal include distillation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and carbon filtration.

Corrosion not only affects metal levels in water, but can also stain household fixtures, reduce water flow, create a metallic taste in drinking water, and require lengthy plumbing service. However, sources of corrosion must be fixed through plumbing service to ensure safe drinking water for your household.

For more information on plumbing service for corroded piping, contact Harvey W. Hottel. Based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Harvey W. Hottel provides plumbing service, as well as heating, air conditioning, and geothermal services throughout the Baltimore and Washington DC metropolitan area since 1945, in such communities as Alexandria, Silver Spring, and Laurel.