HOUSEHOLD WATER TREATMENT

Water Quality Problems Recommendations New source Pollution control Maintenance + inspection Treatment Explore all of them before taking action!

Before You Buy Treatment Equipment Have your water tested by a certified lab – Don’t rely on in-home water test results Consult unbiased water quality experts Explore all alternatives – New source, pollution control, maintenance

Water Treatment disinfection cation exchange anion exchange filtration adsorption demineralization pH adjustment oxidation Very complex topic – refer question to an expert

shock chlorination May work for small numbers of coliform bacteria

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WHOLE HOUSE TREATMENT Point of Entry (POE)

continuous chlorination

U-V Tube U-V Sterilizer

Tank Control Valve

SofteningNitrate removalMetals & H 2 S Neutralizer Organic removal

RESIN (Sodium Or Potassium) Raw Water (Sodium or Potassium) Calcium & Magnesium Treated Water Ion Exchange: Sodium for Calcium & Magnesium Schematic of Softener

Carbon Filtration Uses – Remove man-made organic chemicals – Remove miscellaneous tastes from water – Remove radon gas from water Maintenance – Carbon must be replaced routinely

Acid (Corrosive Water) Control Water Limestone chips or calcite Gravel

Iron Removal Form and concentration is important – Oxidized = visible, orange stain – Reduced = colorless Removal Methods – Water softener – Chlorination / filtration – Oxidizing filter

Hydrogen Sulfide Hot water only? – remove or replace rod in heater Carbon filtration Chlorination / filtration Aeration Oxidizing filter – manganese greensand

Radon Naturally occurring radioactive gas Enters groundwater from surrounding rock Gas released as water is used during showering or bathing No drinking water standard - Proposed standard for 300 pCi/L Test indoor air first Removed with carbon filter or aeration

At the Sink Point of Use (POU)

Reverse Osmosis force water through membrane removes many contaminants

Reverse osmosis membrane Contaminated inlet water Page 61 Startup condition Reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis membrane Contaminated inlet water Page 61 Later time Reverse osmosis

CarbonPre-filterSediment RO Unit

Tips for Buying Treatment Equipment Seek reputable companies that have been around Ask for customer references Research company history Beware of hard sale techniques (scare tactics) Ask about maintenance requirements Get a detailed warranty Look for NSF and WQA certifications EPA certification means nothing Get everything in writing! If it sounds too good - it is!