Copper in water?

[G ma]

I have been buying well water from the LFS because my tap water had been tested and found to be positive for copper. There are lots of copper pipes under my house.

For the past month or so the clerk who fills the containers has been telling me that I should have the water retested. I talked to the manager who said they could test for the metal by using a salt water test kit for copper on my freshwater.

I drew water from both the hot and cold pipes and took the two samples into the store yesterday. I stood and watched while the test was run on each sample. Both tested NEGATIVE for copper.

My question: Does anyone out there know if the saltwater testing kit would accurately read the copper in freshwater?

Thanks,

G ma

[Tanks Master]

Test kits really are virtually the same minus the PH which goes higher, I dont think there's any other differences between them. I've used the S/W kits on my F/W and both read accuratly

[SnakeIce]

If the water company is doing it's job your copper pipes are not the source of any copper in the water. As long as the water is buffered to a ph above 7, which is alkaline, the pipes are safe from any leaching. If the company didn't buffer the water that way they could be liable for any water damage done to customer's houses due to pipe failure.

[Roan]

Out of curiosity, if the pipes from the water company are running through ground which is saturated with copper containing rocks, what are the chances of the copper leeching into the water?

I've been wondering about this since I started searching for a place to go rock collecting in my area. I've found some registered geologic "prospect mines" that contain heavy inclusions of copper bearing rocks -- malachite and azurite, for example. When I checked the locations via Live Map I noticed that houses had been built right on top of the lat and long co-ords. Kinda made me wonder.

Roan

[wesleydnunder]

Originally Posted by Roan

Out of curiosity, if the pipes from the water company are running through ground which is saturated with copper containing rocks, what are the chances of the copper leeching into the water?



Roan

The chances of that happening are almost nil, Roan. The pressure inside the pipe is usually 60 to 80 psi. Even small leaks in the pipe only allow water to exit the pipe, not enter. A complete pressure loss inside the pipe could allow toxins to enter the pipe through any holes or cracks.

Mark

[G ma]

From everyone is saying it seems safe enough to go back to using the tap water, at least as far as copper is concerned.

Now I have to go back to figuring out what product to eliminate the chlorine, ammonia and chloramines from the tap water.

That's one of the joys of well water - none of that crap added to it.

Thanks,

G ma

[DirtyDawg10]

Originally Posted by G ma

Now I have to go back to figuring out what product to eliminate the chlorine, ammonia and chloramines from the tap water.

Seachem's Prime Prime

[TwoTankAmin]

My understanding is the only time pipes and water heaters may leech anything is when they are brand new.

Also look into Amquel as a dechlor and ammonia detox. but be aware that when using ammonia detoxifiers you need to have a test kit that uses Salicylate reagents as opposed to the more commonly used Nessler reagents. The latter will cause you to get false ammonia readings when used with Amquel.