[Shop-talk] Water treatment options

[Peter J. Thomas]

On 1/13/2014 6:18 PM, eric at megageek.com wrote:
> Well, I finally had my water tested since the new well, and of course it
> looks like I need some treatments. (Questions in BOLD)
>
> First, I had a 'free water testing' done by a local plumbing chain.  They
> are the ones that gave me the test results.
>
> Should I pay for a water test from a local lab to make sure they are just
> tell everyone their water is bad to sell systems?

Never trust the test from someone who wants to sell you expensive 
equipment.  Here, a new well requires a lab test that contains all the 
information that the "free" test has and more accurate.  The test 
usually less than $50 and worth it.

> Next, I had acidic water, 5.5 I believe (I had to wait to get the actual
> results), then I had hardwater (to be expected), and finally I had iron in
> the water.

That's acidic enough to eat away at your copper pipes, water heater, 
facuets, etc. over time.  I had to replumb my mother's house with pex.  
Pin holes started appearing after 20 years from less acidid water. Also 
shortens the life of clothes.  Only solution is an acid filter that runs 
the water through a bed of calcium carbonate that has to be replenished.

> The Iron I'm not worried about. (you can't see, or smell it.)

My water smells and taste of iron pretty bad.  It's clear out of the tap 
but looks like weak tea if left out overnight.  You could fill a large 
clear glass container and leave it out overnight uncovered. The compare 
against a fresh container in the morning.

> The hard water, I wanted to treat with an electronic system. Does anyone
> know if they work, or are they snake oil?
Snake oil.
>
> Finally, I have to install a system to neutralize the water.  Does anyone
> have any ideas on what I should do?
>
> I plan to do the work myself, am I crazy?
NO, not crazy.  It's actually better to do it yourself.  If you pay 
someone to do it they set you up with a proprietary system that you 
can't buy parts.  I made this mistake and got tired of paying $100 to 
have someone come with a $100 part that really should cost only $10.  I 
eventually replaced it with an system I bought online.  I can buy parts 
though I haven't had in ten years.  I also configured it for my need 
rather than take what was offered.  It's been reliable and operates 
better.  And it was easy to install.

>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Eric P
> "Be as beneficent as the sun or the sea, but if your rights as a rational
> being are trenched on, die on the first inch of your territory." Ralph
> Waldo Emerson
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