Chanhassen Water Softener and Drinking Water Guide
Chanhassen’s water comes from deep wells that contain natural elements like Iron, Manganese, and calcium, in addition to less desirable elements like Arsenic.
Iron in Chanhassen Water
Recently a gravity filtration system was implemented to remove the Iron and Manganese that have caused orange/brown stains for so many years.
Oxidized Iron CANNOT be removed by a Water Softener, and requires additional filtration.
Occasional Iron may pass through the system and build up in the city water mains. This is fixed by periodic “hydrant flushing” to clean out the water system.
Once treated, the Department of Health requires the addition of chlorine and fluoride to the water storage reservoirs.
- Soft Water
- National Hardness Average
- Chanhassen Hardness
Chanhassen Water Softener Recommendations
The national average for water hardness is 5gpg (grains per gallon). Chanhassen water hardness is 18-21gpg, which is almost 5x harder than average.
A water softener will protect your water heater, plumbing, and appliances from hard water damage. A high efficiency water softener will offer the same protection, but will use far less water and salt.
Need the Right Water Softener or Filter for Your Home in Chanhassen, MN?
Contact us for a FREE water test and site inspection. We’ll get you a FREE quote to help you get the water quality you want.
Chanhassen Water Reports
The City of Chanhassen does regular water testing and publishes the results in Annual Drinking Water Reports. These reports explain which water contaminants, and what levels have been found.
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level
The legal limit for a certain contaminant
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level GOAL
The level with ZERO HEALTH RISKS, aka the “Health Limit”
All water contaminants meet the EPA’s “Legal Limit”. Contaminants that exceed the EPA’s Health Limit have been highlighted below.
Inorganic Contaminants
Inorganic contaminants include natural and manmade salts and metals. You are mostly exposed to inorganics through drinking water, most do not easily pass through skin. Carbon Filters (refrigerator and faucet filters) have almost ZERO impact on these contaminants. Reverse Osmosis very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 1.38-11.5 | 0 | 10 | Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.014 | 2 | 2 | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 0.82-1.3 | 4 | 4 | Bone disease;children may get mottled teeth |
| Mercury | 0 – 0.1ppm | 2 | 2 | Kidney damage |
| Nitrate | 0.1 | 10 | 10 | Blue-baby syndrome |
Organic Contaminants
Organic contaminants can come from either natural sources like algae, or man-made chemicals. You can be exposed through drinking water, absorption through skin (bathing), and inhalation. This makes a Hybrid Filter System, or Whole House Carbon Filter a good preventative tool.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | 0.28 – 1.4 | 0 | 6 | Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer |
| Ethylbenzene | 111.5 – 400 | 700 | 700 | Liver or kidney problems |
| Styrene | 0.17 – 3.0 | 100 | 100 | Liver, kidney, or circulatory problems |
| Toluene | 0.69 – 11 | 100 | 100 | Nervous system, liver, or kidney problems |
| Xylenes | 2.07 – 35 | 1.8 | 100 | Nervous system damage |
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfectants are added to kill bacteria. Disinfectants like Chlorine react with other chemicals and create “Disinfection Byproducts. These chemicals enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and drinking water. A Whole House Carbon Filter is a good preventative tool in addition to a Drinking Water System for these compounds.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 0.5 – 1.5 | 4 | 4 | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 0.42 – 2.9 | 5.7 | 80 | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Haloacetic Acids | 1.1 – 9.5 | 0 | 80 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 0.4 – 26 | 0 | 60 | Increased risk of cancer |
Microbial Contaminants
Microbes like bacteria and virus come from a variety of sources. These include water main breaks, leaky septic systems, livestock, and wildlife. Microbial contaminants are mainly consumed through drinking water. Carbon Filters and Water Softeners do not offer any protection against microbes, but UV Treatment is very effective.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform Bacteria | 1% | 0 | 5 | Not a health threat itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present |
Radionuclide Contaminants
Radionuclides in water may occur naturally, or come from oil and gas production or mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Emitter | 3.82 – 14.9 | 0 | 15.4 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 1.8 – 5.9 | 0 | 5 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 210-244 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |