what is wrong with my water?
 

I am getting little black dots on the dish cloths, dish towels, and wash cloths. I also get white deposits around the faucets in the bathroom and kitchen, but less concerned about that. Are these black dots mold? After using dish cloth I drape it to air out and dry. Is there something nasty in my water? Must I go to the expense of a whole house water system? Another expense here.

I would call the water company first.

Is this in the kitchen only? how old is your home?

2 year old home. Worse in kitchen, but as I wrote also wash cloths in shower. The dish cloths and dish towels in kitchen is more pronounced.

My friend just told me she had the problem with a black film in her kitchen water. She called the Warranty Dept who referred her to the plumber that did her home..it's a little over a year old. She has the faucet in her kitchen that has the pull down sprayer (as opposed to the one that's off to the side). The plumber told her they have a lot of issues with that sprayer/faucet. Apparently the tubing inside the faucet deteriorates after a while and creates a black residue. They ordered the part and replaced it. That's all I can think of...first I'd heard of it. Makes me glad I have the one off to the side, because I don't use it much. :) The white residue is most likely from your water. They also have that, but only a filter system will take that out. Yes, it's a big expenditure, but we got that early on and don't have any residue...no white film in the water dish on the fridge water dispenser, or around the faucets, etc. so probably none in my water lines or appliances either, and my dishes, utensils, stc. are spotless and shiney. We are very happy with ours and would be glad to give you the info.

P.S. forgive MY edge, I'm from Philly!!! hahaha....

The real ? is that's the junk you can see what about all the stuff you can't see.

A whole house filter is something to consider

The water here is VERY hard which means its loaded with all kinds of nasty minerals that make white deposits and ruin your house pipes because of clogging.
You almost have to get a whole house system. We have noticed that many times the water smells like rotten eggs........ ulgh!
Black dots - never seen 'em! Always put your wet wash rag in microwave for 1 min. to sanitize - sponges too!
Mallory voice

The water here is not very hard, it's hard.

The rumors about deposits ruining your pipes are scare tactics by the guys who knock on your door selling $3000-$5000 water softeners.

Simply totally false I've done filter in 20+ year old homes the pipes are not clogged.

The whole house filter works great at getting the important nasty stuff out.

Hard water can't hurt you dirty water can.

The saddest thing I hear is "I have water softener so my water is great"

All that person has is "dirty soft water"

Don't be miss led, contact Nova Water filters a resident and sponsor.

.

Good for setting the record straight! :bigbow:

Possibly mildew on a wet cloth?

Hard water CAN hurt you. It dries your skin, leaves a residue on laundry and spots on dishes, and it's nasty to drink. What makes water hard is minerals.

I'm going to disagree, you may be more so to chlorine's effect on your skin.

The World Health Organization says that "there does not

appear to be any convincing evidence that water hardness causes

adverse health effects in humans". In fact, the National Research

Council has found that hard water can actually serve as a dietary

supplement for calcium and magnesium

Myths
MYTH #1 - Water Softeners Are Safe For The Environment

Fact: Water Softeners Cause Considerable Damage to the Environment


According to Ann Heil, a Supervising Engineer of the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, automatic water softeners waste

water and put a salty brine into the waste stream. High salts in the waste stream can harm aquatic life and can damage crops
irrigated with downstream waters.

There are many simple solutions you can take to fix any mineral spotting - and none of them require a water softener. A teaspoon
of Sour Salt will handle mineral residue in the dishwasher. Rain-X or furniture wax will minimize water spots on shower doors.
Finally, a whole-house water filter, that retains healthy minerals, will work great for bathing, cooking, cleaning and drinking.

MYTH #2 - Hard Water Is Harsh, Fades Clothes and Dries Skin and Hair

Fact: Hard Water Does Not Fade Colors or Dry Skin and Hair Chlorine in tap water does the damage, just as chlorine bleach.

Water softeners do not remove chlorine or chlorine disinfection byproducts

MYTH #3 - Water Softeners Filter Water

Fact: Water Softeners Do Not Filter Water;

They Only Exchange Sodium for Minerals In other words, water softeners convert dirty, chlorinated tap
water into dirty, chlorinated, salty water. There is still a need to use a secondary filter system to remove salt,
sediment and chlorine to produce a palatable water for drinking and cooking - but only at the kitchen tap. Dirty chlorinated, salty water still
runs throughout the rest of the home.

MYTH #4 - Minerals In Water Are Contaminants

Fact: Hardness Minerals Are Not Contaminants, Minerals are Nutrients


Scientific findings supported by research at the World Health Organization (WHO | World Health Organization) have shown that drinking water
rich with essential minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, protects good health and leads to lower instances of heart disease and stroke.

MYTH #5 - Hard Water Clogs Pipes

Fact: Calcium and Magnesium Do Not Build Up and Clog Pipes

Between the mid 1940s and the late 1970s, most homes were built using steel (galvanized) pipes. Minerals, such as calcium
and magnesium, will stick to steel pipes. New and re-piped homes built after 1975 have pipes made of copper or cpvc (plastic).

Here the homes are built with CPVC.