Substance	Found	Description	What it is or does	Limits	Equipment Needed
TDS Total Dissolved Solids	city/well	colorless powder residue	The overall quality of water which includes dissolved inorganics mineral salts, heavy metals and gases.	less than 500 ppm	Reverse Osmosis Distillation
Hardness	city/well	Whitish/tan powder residue	Dissolved calcium and magnesium which causes soap scum, leaves bathroom rings, dulls hair, clogs fabric, spots glassware,scales pipes and increases fuel consumption		Water Softener Water Conditioner
Iron	well	Reddish brown floc	Causes discoloration and stains on fixtures, dishes and laundry; has a disagreeable metal taste and alters the flavor of beverages and as coffee and tea.	over .3 ppm causes stains	Iron Filter
Sulphur	well	Rotten egg smell yellowish in color	Very corrossive in water and air; tarnishes silverware immediately upon contact		Aerator
Tannin	well	Yellow or golden brown	Causes tannish stains on clothes, dishes, appliances; is carcingenic when combined with chlorine		Water Softener Water Conditioner
Alum	city	White powdery floc	Collects on dishes, laundry and appliances requiring more detergent to remove it		Carbon Filter
Chlorine	city	Slight yellow/green tinge	A disenfectant and strong oxidizer used to kill bacteria in water when combined with organics becomes carcingenic	.5 ppm required at last home on water line	Carbon Filter