Plymouth Water Softener and Drinking Water Guide
Iron and Manganese in Plymouth MN City Water
Well water naturally contains small levels of Iron and Manganese. Levels over 0.3ppm Iron and 0.05ppm Manganese can result in discolored water and staining. High enough levels may also cause taste and odor complaints.
The city does filter water for Iron and Manganese, but occasionally low levels of 0-0.4ppm iron will bleed through.
- Soft Water
- National Hardness Average
- Plymouth Water Hardness
Plymouth MN Water Softener Recommendations
The national average for water hardness is 5gpg (grains per gallon). Plymouth, MN water hardness is 22-24gpg, 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.
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Plymouth Water Reports
The City of Plymouth, MN 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.
2018 Plymouth MN Water Report
2015 Plymouth MN Water Report
2014 Plymouth MN Water Report
2013 Plymouth MN Water Report
2012 Plymouth MN Water Report
2011 Plymouth MN Water Report
2009 Plymouth Water Report
2008 Plymouth MN Water Report
2006 Plymouth MN Water Report
2005 Plymouth MN Water Report
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 | 2.07-2.35 | 0 | 10 | Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.15 | 2 | 2 | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 1.1-1.2 | 4 | 4 | Bone disease;children may get mottled teeth |
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 | 0.49-1.95 | 4 | 4 | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 8.66-14 | 5.7 | 80 | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Haloacetic Acids | 4-18 | 0 | 80 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 1.2-52.3 | 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 |
*Upon re-testing, 0% Coliform Bacteria was detected.
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 | 7.4 | 0 | 15.4 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 2.2 | 0 | 5 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 579 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |