Tannins in Hillsborough Water: Understanding Government Data and Treatment Options

WSP Whole House Tannin Filter - Yellow Tea-Colored

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1. Understanding Limits of Area Data on Tannins

The Manchester Water Works provides water to over 123,000 people in Hillsborough County through surface water sources. Government records show no direct monitoring data for tannins in this system or any federal data set, so while tannins are often associated with surface water, the area data does not establish whether tannins are present in your home's water supply or to what degree. To know if your water contains tannins, you will need a certified laboratory test specifically for tannins.

2. How Tannins May Enter Your Water in the Hillsborough Region

Because the Manchester Water Works draws from surface water, tannins—naturally occurring organic compounds from decaying vegetation—can potentially be present. These compounds typically originate in waters with high organic material, such as nearby lakes, ponds, or wetlands. Tannins can impart a yellow to tea-like color and affect taste and staining but do not pose a health risk at typical levels.

3. Sampling Scope and Its Implications for Tannin Assessment

The public water system record for Manchester Water Works is based on extensive sampling for many substances but does not include tannins. This means no systematic area-wide data exists to quantify tannins for the entire system. Area monitoring data reflects general water quality conditions but cannot substitute for individual water testing to confirm tannin presence or concentration in your home.

4. Which Household Fixtures and Appliances Show Tannin Effects First

Tannins often show their impact visibly in sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and on laundry, where yellow to brownish stains may appear over time. Water fixtures exposed to regular water use may develop discoloration that does not respond to normal cleaning. Appliances using water, such as humidifiers or ice makers, may also demonstrate effects of tannins if concentrations are significant.

5. Plumbing Material and Age Affecting Tannin Appearance

The type and age of pipes or fixture surfaces influence tannin staining. Older or porous plumbing materials may absorb tannin compounds more readily, making discoloration more noticeable. Conversely, newer materials or those less prone to absorb waterborne compounds might show less visible impact even if tannins are present.

6. Interpretation of Terms in Water Sampling Records

Government water records use terms like 'detected,' 'median,' and 'range' to report water quality measurements. For tannins, no federal or system results are available, but generally, 'detected' means the substance was measured, not that it exceeds any limit. 'Median' is the middle value in all measured samples, and 'range' shows lowest to highest observed. Knowing these definitions helps understand what area data can and cannot say about water quality.

In conclusion, the Manchester Water Works record covers many water quality aspects but does not include tannins. To confirm tannins in your water, individual testing is necessary. For treatment, the C-Series Yellow, Tea-Colored Tannin Water Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to address tannin discoloration effectively for residential households.

For further official information, consult the Manchester Water Works data available through the EPA's public water system records.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2022-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA SDWIS record for MANCHESTER WATER WORKS (NH1471010), surface water supply, serving 123500 people: 0 health-based violations of 0 total; lead 90th percentile 0 mg/L