Turbidity is a water quality term that refers to the cloudy appearance of water, caused by particles or “suspended matter”.

All tap water contains unwanted particles and sediment that we’d rather not consume.  Whether at home or in a restaurant, water from the tap always contains millions of particles, such as dirt and rust.  Sometimes water even contains harmful particles, such as protozoan cysts, that can cause flu-like illnesses.

Off-tastes and odours are common water quality problems across the country.  They are caused by a variety of factors, the most common of which is chlorine.  Keep in mind that tastes and odours will vary from tap to tap and are influenced by personal likes and dislikes.

Scale is solid material that builds up on the surfaces of water-using kitchen equipment such as coffee makers, ice makers, dishwashers and instant hot taps. 

Nearly everyone is aware of the health hazards of inhaling asbestos fibres from ceiling tiles and insulation.  But asbestos found in drinking water also can be hazardous to your health.

Heavy metals in water refer to heavy, dense, metallic elements that occur in trace levels, but are very toxic and tend to accumulate.

Although water may appear to be clear, it always contains many microscopic particles, some of which can make water taste funny and even be dangerous to your health.  There are many types of particles, and the tiniest sub-micron sized particles may number in the millions per milliliter of water.