| Alkalinity | Alkalinity in drinking water is due to the presence of sodium, calcium, and magnesium carbonates. Most natural drinking water has alkalinity around 10 pH. |
| Aluminum | The fourth most common element found in the Earth's crust, aluminum is naturally present in drinking water and is added as a chlorination preparation by water utilities. Most of what is added is removed, but a residue may be present in municipal water sources. Aluminum may cause discoloration of water. Aluminum in low doses is not thought to be harmful, but in high doses it may cause respiratory and skeletal problems. Several medical research studies have linked aluminum to Alzheimer's and other diseases. |
| Arsenic | Can result from both natural process and industrial activities including smelting operations, use of certain pesticides, and industrial waste disposal. Arsenic compounds have been shown to have acute and chronic effects which include systemic irreversible damage. It is also listed as a carcinogen. |
| Barium | Barium is a naturally occurring metal found in many types of rocks. In stream water and ground water, only traces of the element are present. It is also used in oil and gas drilling muds, automotive paints, bricks, tiles, and jet fuels. Exposure has been associated with hypertension and toxicity in animals. |
| Cadmium | Cadmium is found in very low concentrations in rocks, as well as in coal and petroleum and often in combination with zinc. It is introduced to the environment from mining and smelting operations. Other cadmium emissions come from fossil fuel use, fertilizer application, sewage sludge disposal and galvanized pipe corrosion. Acute and chronic exposure to cadmium may cause hypertension, anemia and kidney problems. |
| Calcium | Calcium exists in soil and rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. Drinking water contributes only a small amount of the required daily intake. Concentrations as great as 1800 mg/L of calcium in water are reported harmless. It can be a nuisance as it contributes to hardness of the water, and calcium build-up in pipes or water heaters (or water ionizers) may inhibit their performance. Low levels can be helpful as it tends to form a coating on pipes which may prevent corrosion. |
| Chloride | Chloride in water can be a residual of chlorine and has been attributed to the use of salt to de-ice roads. Other sources of chloride in ground water may be related to sea water trapped in sediments. High levels can contribute to corrosion of plumbing and may be accompanied by high levels of sodium which may be a health concern. |
| Chromium | Chromium is a naturally occurring metal. It is often used in electroplating of metals. Although chromium is not currently mined in the US, waste from old mining operations may enter surface and ground water through runoff and leaching. Exposure at high levels has been shown to result in chronic toxic effects such as dermatitis, ulceration of skin or liver, and kidney damage in animals and humans by ingestion. |
| Copper | Water can be a significant source of copper intake depending on the geographical location, water character, water temperature, and the presence of copper pipes. At concentrations above 1 mg/L, copper can stain laundry and plumbing fixtures. Copper can also cause a greenish/blue tint to blonde hair. Copper is an essential element at lower levels, but at levels above 5 mg/L it can cause gastrointestinal disturbances or other acute toxic effects. |
| Fluoride | Fluoride is naturally occurring and may be added to municipal water systems. At an optimum level of 1 mg/L, it has been shown to be effective in reducing dental cavities. Levels over 2 mg/L may cause mottling of teeth in normal individuals living in a temperate climate. Federal law requires a community water supply to notify users when the fluoride level exceeds 2 mg/L. The current allowable level is 4 mg/L. |
| Hardness | Hardness is usually caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium in water. They can combine with soap to form scum on water and a ring around the tub. You may find that larger amounts of soap are required to form washing suds. |
| Iron | Iron in drinking water is a very common problem. It occurs naturally from rock or can be introduced by plumbing materials. When iron comes in contact with oxygen, it changes to a reddish compound that can discolor bathroom fixtures and laundry. At this time, there are no known health effects from drinking elevated iron in water. |
| Lead | The main source of lead in drinking water is leaching from lead piping and lead solders. Lead enters primarily in areas that have acidic waters. When elevated lead levels are found, consult a physician. Children and fetuses are especially sensitive to lead poisoning. |
| Magnesium | Magnesium is commonly found in rocks such as granite, limestone, sandstone, and dolomites. High levels can be a nuisance, contributing to the hardness of the water and inhibiting performance of pipes and water heaters. |
| Manganese | Manganese in water is a common, naturally occurring problem but can also be introduced by industry. It can produce a brownish discoloration and have a very unpleasant odor and taste. It may produce black deposits and black filaments. Chlorine bleach should not be used in laundry washed in water with a high iron or manganese content because it can cause stains to set. Currently known cases of manganese poisoning have occurred at elevated levels much higher than the levels found in naturally occurring water. Learn more about manganese. |
| Mercury | Mercury is one of the least abundant elements in the earth's crust. It usually gets into water as a result of improper waste disposal. Exposure at high levels may result in kidney disease or central nervous system problems. |
| Nickel | Nickel is not commonly found in nature as a pure metal. Nickel is often used in electroplating, stainless steel and alloy products. It generally gets into water from mining and refining operations. The absorption of dietary nickel from the gastrointestinal tract appears to be quite low, with the majority of nickel passing through the body. |
| Nitrate and Nitrite | Nitrates occur naturally; however, the major sources of nitrates or nitrites in drinking water include fertilizer, sewage, and feedlots. The toxicity of nitrate in humans is due to the body's reduction of nitrate and nitrite. These contaminants can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Therefore, notifying your baby's pediatrician of these levels is advisable. |
| pH | pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion content of water. Values below 7 are considered acidic. Values above 7 are considered alkaline. A pH difference of 1.0 actually represents a tenfold difference in acidic or alkaline content. Acidic water dissolves metals readily and can be corrosive to plumbing which can increase the amount of toxic metals leaching into the water. |
| Pesticides, Herbicides, PCBs | Surface water leaching and runoff is usually responsible for these being in ground water. Pesticides are used to control insects or other pests. Certain pesticides have been banned but may still be found in the environment. Some herbicides may be used to control algal blooms in reservoirs and general weed control. PCBs were once widely used in electrical transformers and industrial equipment. There may be a wide range of health effects related to the nervous, respiratory, or reproductive systems, as well as the heart, liver or kidneys. Also, some PCBs are probably carcinogens. |
| Selenium | Selenium is found naturally in foods and soil. It is used in electronics, photocopy operations, glass manufacturing, chemicals, drugs, and as a fungicide and feed additive. It can cause dermatitis or affect the nervous system. |
| Silver | Silver is a relatively rare metal originating from natural sources and from industrial waste. The only adverse effect resulting from chronic exposure to low levels of silver in animals and humans is blue-gray discoloration of the skin and internal organs. |
| Sodium | Comes from geological sources, road salt or as a result of using a water softener. A guidance level of 20 mg/L in drinking water is suggested by the EPA for the high risk population of hypertensive and heart patients. If your sodium intake is being monitored, consult a physician for advice. |
| Sulfate | Sulfate is found in almost all natural water. It may enter through waste discharges and may indicate septic leaching into the water supply. Sulfate presence can cause a pungent odor and taste in drinking water and may have a laxative effect. |
| Total Dissolved Solids | TDS values are a measure of the amount of solids dissolved in your water. If you left a small amount of coffee in a cup for a few days, the water would evaporate and the dissolved solids would stay behind. |
| Trihalomethanes | Usually formed as a by-product of the reaction of chlorine with organic matter. The most common THM, chloroform, was one of the earliest anesthetics, but it is no longer used because of its toxic side effects. It is used widely as a solvent in industry. This group of compounds can affect the nervous system and muscles and may also be carcinogenic. Learn more. |
| Turbidity | Turbidity in water is caused by suspended matter, such as clay, silt, fine particles of organic and inorganic matter, and microscopic organisms. |
| Volatile Organic Chemicals | This group readily evaporates into the air at very low temperatures. Gasoline contains VOCs. If you have ever pumped gas and spilled it, it disappears very quickly into the air and has a noticeable odor. VOCs can exist in water, and a small increase in temperature will release them into the air, like taking a shower. Most are classified carcinogenic. Learn more about VOCs. |
| Zinc | Zinc is considered an essential element in human and animal nutrition. It may come from industrial contamination or corrosion of plumbing. In concentrations over 5 mg/L, zinc produces an objectionable taste and may cause water to appear milky with a greasy surface scum. Zinc poisoning occurs in prolonged consumption of 40 mg/L or greater. |
This is the water we tested with the KYK Harmony:
Potomac Water Filtration Plant
Tap Water Analysis -- 2005
| PARAMETER | UNIT OF MEASURE | YEARLY AVERAGE | MAXIMUM | MINIMUM | EPA LIMIT |
| GENERAL WATER QUALITY | |||||
| Alkalinity | mg/l | 85 | 116 | 38 | n/a |
| Hardness | mg/l | 128 | 176 | 44 | n/a |
| pH | S.U | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.2 | n/a |
| Turbidity | NTU | .04 | .06 | .02 | TT |
| METALS | |||||
| Aluminum | ug/l | 70 | 340 | 10 | n/a |
| Arsenic | ug/l | n/d | <2 | n/d | 6 |
| Barium | ug/l | 34 | 41 | 27 | 2000 |
| Cadmium | ug/l | n/d | n/d | n/d | 5 |
| Calcium | mg/l | 37.1 | 53.7 | 25.5 | n/a |
| Chromium | ug/l | 2 | 5 | n/d | 100 |
| Iron | ug/l | 79 | 398 | 34 | n/a |
| Magnesium | mg/l | 8.9 | 15.4 | 4.9 | n/a |
| Mercury | ug/l | 2 | 9 | n/d | 2 |
| Potassium | mg/l | 3.1 | 7.1 | 1.9 | n/a |
| Selenium | ug/l | n/d | <2 | n/d | 50 |
| Sodium | mg/l | 19.3 | 55.0 | 9.0 | n/a |
| Thallium | ug/l | n/d | n/d | n/d | 2 |
| Zinc | ug/l | 3 | 39 | <2 | n/a |
| INORGANIC | |||||
| Chloride | mg/l | 35.1 | 100.6 | 23.3 | n/a |
| Chlorine | mg/l | 2.7 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 4 |
| Fluoride | mg/l | .95 | 1.32 | .29 | 4 |
| Nitrate | mg/l | 1.8 | 3.06 | .72 | 10 |
| Sulfate | mg/l | 34.9 | 70.9 | 11.3 | n/a |
| DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS | |||||
| Organic Carbon | mg/l | 1.76 | 5.45 | 1.05 | tt |
| Haloacetic Acids | ug/l | 40.5 | 82.1 | 9.02 | 60 |
| Trihalomethanes | ug/l | 44.1 | 114 | 9.29 | 80 |
| BACTERIA | |||||
| Coliform Present | %/month | .42 | 2.24 | 0 | 5 |
| E. Coli Present | %/month | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/d |
| PESTICIDES | |||||
| phthalate | ug/l | .78 | 2.84 | n/d | 6 |
| VOLATILE ORGANIC CHEMICALS | |||||
| Benzene | ug/l | n/d | <.05 | n/d | 5 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | ug/l | n/d | <.05 | n/d | 5 |
KEY:
ug/l = parts per billion
mg/l = parts per million
n/a = not available
This water has chlorine, fluoride, sulfate, mercury, aluminum, and pesticides in it ... yuck!
KYK Filtration Results
by National Testing Laboratories, LTD.
Results from a filtered municipal water sample from Gaithersburg, MD, 3/15/06
Analysis Performed
MCL (mg/L) Maximum Contaminant Level
Detection Level
Level Detected
Aluminum
0.2
0.1
ND (not-detected)
Arsenic
0.010
0.005
ND
Barium
2
0.30
ND
Cadmium
0.005
0.002
ND
Calcium
---
2.0
38
Chromium
0.1
0.010
ND
Copper
1.3
0.004
ND
Iron
0.3
0.020
ND
Lead
0.015
0.002
ND
Magnesium
---
0.10
8.4
Manganese
0.002
0.001
ND
Mercury
---
0.001
ND
Nickel
---
0.02
0.005
Selenium
---
1
ND
Silver
0.1
0.002
0.005
Sodium
---
1
16
Zinc
5
0.004
0.013
Chloride
250
5.0
32
Fluoride
4
0.5
0.8
Hardness (suggested limit = 100)
10
130
Nitrate
10
0.5
11
Nitrite
1
0.5
ND
Sulfate
250
5.0
28
TDS
500
20
160
Turbidity
1.0
0.1
ND
Organic Chemicals -- Trihalomethanes (all)
ND
Analysis:
The KYK Harmony filter was effective in removing all the bacteria, chlorine, mercury, aluminum, and pesticides from the tap water. It kept a reasonable amount of minerals like selenium, calcium, and magnesium in the water so the water can be ionized. It also removed all the toxic metals.
This water sample had marginally hard water. Users of the KYK Harmony in this area may consider using a hard water prefilter. Also, like all other carbon activated filters, the KYK Harmony filter was only marginally effective in the removal of fluoride, chloride, and nitrates. If you have high levels of any of these, you should consider getting their respective prefilters. Also, high levels of heavy metals would require a heavy metal prefilter.
You see -- we back up our claims -- KYK WATER IS PURE, CLEAN, and ENERGIZED!