Groundwater, used by many Americans for household use and drinking water, is replenished mostly by rainwater and snowmelt. But what if rainwater is acidic? Most acidic rainwater is neutralized or “buffered” by rocks and soil as it soaks into the ground, but the process is not always completely successful. Rocks with high amounts of calcium, such as limestone, are effective in reducing the acidity of water as it infiltrates, but other rock types are not. If acid precipitation is not buffered, metals such as copper, lead, iron and magnesium found in some plumbing pipes and fixtures may dissolve into groundwater supplies. Acidic groundwater can can corrode the pipes and plumbing features of a home water system, in addition to introducing dissolved metals into the human body.
Viewer Tip: If you rely on a well for your water supply, testing the pH of water (which determines its acidity) can be performed easily at home with a water testing kit. Experts recommend testing the acidity of water when you drill a new well, move to a new home or if your well has never been tested. If you find that your water acidic (low pH), there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem. A trained water treatment professional can help you can address the problem.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Source: American Groundwater Trust. “Acid Rain and Water Quality”. American Well Owner. 2002. Available at: www.agwt.org)
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