Indications & Testing
If you have Greenish-blue, stains they are most likely caused from too much acid in your water. This is a health issue as well as a potential plumbing disaster as the acid eats through the pipes over time.
Causes and Sources of Low pH
Unfortunately, most surface waters and many groundwaters in New Hampshire are highly corrosive. If you have copper plumbing and notice a bluish-green stain on sinks and showers or below a leaky faucet, your water likely is highly corrosive. Blue green is the color of copper oxide, as orange brown is the color of iron oxide.
(Information about low pH levels provided by NH Dept. of Environemental Services)
If you see green staining on your fixtures, that indicates that your copper pipes are corroding and will eventually develop pinhole leaks. It's best to treat your water just after it comes in the building to reduce its natural corrosivity so you can save your pipes. In general, raising the pH of your well water can reduce lead and copper corrosion.
(Information about low pH levels in Maine provided by Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research)
New Hampshire & Maine Limits for Low pH
New Hampshire Suggested Limits:
- Where the pH is below approximately 6, the water is normally highly corrosive.
- Where the pH is between approximately 6.0 through 6.9, water is somewhat corrosive and stagnant testing is probably appropriate.
- Water between pH = 7.0 and 7.5 is probably not excessively corrosive.
- Water above pH = 7.6 should not be particularly corrosive to metal plumbing.
(Information about low pH levels provided by NH Dept. of Environemental Services)
Maine
Suggested Limits:
pH units. pH 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acid and greater than 7 is basic. Normal background levels of pH are in the range of 6 to 7. Safe limits are between 6.5 and 8.5.
(Information about low pH levels in Maine provided by Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research)
Recommended Treatment
Acid Neutralizer system
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