Copper is classified as both a Secondary and Primary Contaminants. To view our thorough page on Copper in the Primary Contaminant section Click Here. See below for a summary overview.
Copper is a very common water contaminant. The source of Copper may be from it's presence in the local bedrock or as a contaminant in some water and surface water treatment chemicals to control algae, but the primary source of copper is probably corrosion within the water distribution system and the water piping and fixtures in your home.
Copper, while necessary in small amounts as a micronutrient, can become a problem when levels are too high. Low levels of copper may be associated with iron deficiency, but elevated levels, i.e., > 2 mg/L to 5 mg/L, of copper can lead to aesthetic problems with drinking water. The drinking water EPA Action Level is 1.3 mg/L, but the Federal Food and Drug Administration's Primary Standard for Bottled Water is 1.0 mg/L. It is regulated as a Secondary Drinking Water Standard, primarily due to aesthetic issues at a Secondary Standard level of 1.0 mg/L. Elevated levels of copper in the water could indicate a problem with the corrosiveness of your drinking water and suggest that other metals like lead, chromium, and zinc may be present, posing potential health risks.
There are a number of water contaminants that have both a primary and secondary drinking water standard and even a specific health advisory (no Standards). With respect to interpreting water quality testing results, it's important to remember the duality of some parameters and the importance of knowing the maximum contaminant level based on aesthetic problems and both the acute and chronic health problems. This is why we strongly recommend that drinking water users get a comprehensive water quality assessment of their drinking water. This will provide a more detailed understanding of your water quality, rather than just testing for a few parameters as in most real estate assessments.
Water Testing Kits We Recommend for Issues Related to Copper and Corrosion. For both Water Well Owners and City or Tap Water Users, a solid water testing kit for the initial assessment of a problem related to copper and or corrosion would be the National Testing Lab - Corrosion Check Testing Kit with a Bacterial Screening Test.
The most common treatment system approach to deal with problems related to copper and corrosive water is the combination of an acid neutralizing system from Crystal Quest with a POU device that can scavenge (selectively trap, such as Eagle Redox Alloy that is used in the Crystal Water Filter – Smart Filter) trace metals from the water or the US Water Systems Matrixx pH Balancing Calcite Neutralizer System designed to raise the pH of the water supply with an additional point of use filter (Containing KDF-55).
Level 1 Testing is done with simple observations that an individual can make with their own senses such as sight, smell, and taste. These observations can be readily apparent or can be observed as they change over time. In addition, accessible related information about the home can also be used to narrow down the cause of your water issues.
Level 2 Testing is Do-It-Yourself testing that can be done in your own home using a Testing Kit. After you’ve done Level 1 Testing, Level 2 Testing can confirm if your observations are correct. If your test results reveal the presence of a contaminant that is cause for concern, you can either proceed to determine the best treatment (see below) or continue to Level 3 Testing.
Level 3 Testing is done through an accredited Water Testing Laboratory. With Level 3 Testing, you can order a testing kit that is used to prepare your sample and submit it to the lab. By utilizing a lab, you have the assurance that a certified water expert had analyzed your water sample. If your test results reveal the presence of a contaminant that is cause for concern, you can either proceed to determine the best treatment options (see below) or continue to Level 4 Testing - Certified Testing.
A Level 4 Certified Test Test uses chain-of-custody with a water professional coming to your home to prepare the water sample and then works with an accredited laboratory in order to certify your test results. This type of testing not only gives you the highest level of assurance in the accuracy of your test results, but can also be used as a document in legal cases. For Baseline Testing, we recommend that you use Certified Testing.
