| WATER-Correct approach to water treatment | | | | the ground. Usually sulfur is only an aesthetic issue, |
| WATER TREATMENT-A METHODICAL APPROACH | | | | but in higher concentrations sulfur does become a |
| Water treatment encompasses many different | | | | bronchial irritant. Sulfur will often stick to clothing, |
| problems and objectives. | | | | causing you to become a walking "rotten egg". Sulfur |
| Bad odors, foul taste, staining, chemical | | | | often leaves a grey residue on fixtures. |
| contamination, bacteria, microorganism infestation, | | | | - Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) |
| excessive calcium (hard water), are just some of the | | | | Total Dissolved Solids are minerals dissolved into the |
| problems which plague homeowners, businesses and | | | | water. These tiny minerals do not have a sufficient |
| municipalities. | | | | ionic charge to be removed by conventional means. |
| Correct technology applications can provide relief | | | | Ultra-fine filtration like Reverse Osmosis will remove |
| from these issues by removing odor, color, staining, | | | | TDS. Ceramics are known to reduce TDS. Distillation, |
| foul tastes and bacteria from water sources. | | | | the evaporation and re-condensation of water will |
| Because no one product can correct all water | | | | also remove such small impurities. Each of these |
| problems, contaminates must be removed through | | | | technologies has limitations, which need to be |
| correct applications of the appropriate technology. | | | | addressed to achieve a correct and functional |
| Furthermore, treatment applicationsmust always be | | | | application. TDS shows up as spotting of all fine |
| applied in a correct methodology. For instance, | | | | surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and painted |
| starting with removal of the larger contaminates and | | | | surfaces (such as your auto). Many softener owners |
| working towards the microscopic impurities. | | | | are disappointed when they see this continued |
| Start Big-Go Small | | | | annoyance after a water softener has been installed. |
| Water treatment applications should address the | | | | TDS also leaves a residue on surfaces that looks like |
| larger constituents first and work towards the | | | | white dust, but does not come off as easily as |
| smaller, and possibly harder to remove, impurities. | | | | expected. Even scrubbing with cleaners often yields |
| There are always exceptions to the rule, but | | | | poor results. |
| generally, the following approach would be considered | | | | - Bacteria, Cysts and Micro-Organisms |
| a competent method of approach to water | | | | Feared, and mis-understood, these creatures can |
| purification. | | | | range from totally dormant, inert microorganisms to |
| (Actual identification and treatment methods for each | | | | killer agents. Let's face it; one cubic inch of potting |
| of the following water problems will be dealt with in | | | | soil has some 20+ billion living bacterium in it. Our |
| subsequent articles) | | | | environment, and our bodies are full of bacteria. |
| - Color | | | | Some are good, and some are bad. But very few are |
| If your water has color in it, find out what is causing | | | | dangerous in the levels present in water. The issue |
| the color, and remove the problem-causing agent. | | | | here is that the few that are dangerous and found in |
| Either oxidizing iron, or decomposing organic matter | | | | water can cause permanent illness, or death. Over |
| usually causes color. Both of these agents will cause | | | | the counter bacteria tests are reasonably accurate, |
| problems with other applications of water treatment | | | | but do not identify what bacteria is present, only the |
| such as softening and bacteria removal. | | | | levels of bacteria are depicted in the tests. |
| - Staining | | | | Laboratory analysis is necessary to identify the actual |
| Residual staining on fixtures, clothing, etc. is most | | | | type of bacteria. My own opinion is that if you are |
| often the result of iron in your water source. The | | | | drawing water from a well, lake or river, you will |
| water, which has flowed through a bed of iron | | | | have bacteria present from time to time. Many |
| deposit in the ground, deposits the iron onto surfaces | | | | people say they have been drinking this water for |
| once it is exposed to oxygen in the atmosphere. | | | | years and it has not killed me yet. How many times |
| Although the higher the levels of iron, the more | | | | though have you had stomachaches, or diarrhea, and |
| aggressive the staining will be, it is also and indication | | | | not attributed it to your water. And if a killer bacteria |
| that the iron is easily oxidized and therefore may be | | | | invades your water source, such as the so popular "e |
| fairly easy to remove with typical technologies such | | | | coli", well you can only die once. And bacterium such |
| as aeration or chlorine. The removal of iron with a | | | | as e coli can invade by way of an open sore or even |
| water softener is not recommended. First of all, a | | | | through your mucus membranes or your eyes. Water |
| chemical is often not required to oxidize and remove | | | | is constantly flowing and changing. Your health and |
| iron. Salt is a chemical. And secondly, iron will foul the | | | | safety depends on safe water. |
| bed of a water softener and destroy the unit's | | | | - Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals |
| functionality. (More later on this subject) | | | | Most chemicals and pharmaceuticals are not removed |
| - Hardness | | | | by municipal treatment systems. Massive amounts of |
| Probably the most common annoyance in water is | | | | pharmaceuticals go in your mouth and through your |
| calcium/magnesium deposits known as hard water. | | | | system, returning back out to the water sources |
| People often revert to salt guzzling water softeners | | | | that we rely on for our drinking water. These agents |
| in mis-applications of water treatment technologies. | | | | are now showing up in measurable amounts in |
| Hard water causes milky coatings on glassware; soap | | | | municipal treated water. You are drinking the drugs |
| scum sticks to shower walls, dry itchy skin, dandruff, | | | | that your neighbor is eating. Chemicals are dumped |
| water spots, excessive soap use in laundry, and | | | | on the ground, leaching into water tables, and into |
| other problematic issues. Removal of excessive | | | | lakes and rivers. This same water is supplied to your |
| hardness is often a money saver, as well as relief | | | | family. Although tested, and levels are found to be |
| from the nuisance. | | | | "within tolerable levels", what is the health effect of |
| - Odor | | | | all of these various chemicals and pharmaceuticals |
| Various constituencies in water can cause an | | | | when mixed together in "acceptable levels" in your |
| annoying smell in your water. The most common | | | | drinking water? This chemical soup is good for you? |
| odor of course is chlorine in municipal water. Although | | | | How to remove them? Stay tuned for more articles |
| the chlorine itself is not considered by most to be a | | | | on water, its impurities, and its treatment. |
| health issue, the odor it gives off is an aesthetic | | | | Your safe water is up to you. It is your water, your |
| annoyance, and depending on your water source, can | | | | home, your family, and your health. The applicable |
| be an indication of the potential presence of | | | | theory is "Short term pain, for long term gain". Pay |
| trihalomethane (THM's), a gas that is produced when | | | | now for health, or pay later for sickness. It is totally |
| organics are chlorinated. Trihalomethane is a known | | | | up to you. |
| carcinogen, which is inhaled in the shower, laundry | | | | Thank you for your interest in informing yourself |
| room, and even at the kitchen sink. Sulfur smell | | | | regarding water. More articles are on their way for |
| (H2SO4) is also found in rural water sources from | | | | your education and enjoyment. |
| contact of the water with sulfur (H2S) deposits in | | | | |