– Water treatment is a way for household well owners to address health concerns and unpleasant smells, but systems must be maintained properly, states the National Ground Water Association, which runs the website. WellOwner.org.
Periodic water testing can be used to verify that the treatment systems are functioning properly. Water treatment service providers or manufacturers can recommend water testing intervals.
Talk to a professional water treatment technician about how you can maintain your water treatment system. A water treatment professional can help you if you’re not sure.
Here are some maintenance tips for primary water treatment technologies.
Continuous disinfection – Ultraviolet light systems are used to disinfect water entering the house. Cleansing the quartz sleeve where the lamp is kept in good condition is a sign of good maintenance. Annual lamp replacement is a smart idea.
Ion exchange: Sometimes referred to as water softeners. They require salt which must be replenished regularly. Water softeners last years without any maintenance.
The maintenance requirements for a system can vary. If ion exchange is used for removing nitrate, which poses a risk to infants at high levels, the system will require a different resin and substance than traditional water softening to replenish the resin.
Reverse Osmosis (RO), when combined with granular activated Carbon (GAC), RO can be used to treat many water quality problems. GAC filters typically need to be replaced once or twice per year. The RO membrane can be used for many years.
Whole-house sediment filters: These filter remove particulate. They also enhance the effectiveness of treatment systems and decrease maintenance. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to change your filter.
The adaptable automatic backwashing filter is very easy to maintain. It removes sediment, tastes, odors, iron, manganese, volatile organic compound (VOCs) and arsenic.
It is important to replace the media bed every so often. You should consult a qualified water treatment provider or manufacturer regarding periodic water monitoring and the proper disposal of media beds.
Reduce lead by acid neutralizing systems: These systems reduce corrosion in water that can lead to leaching of lead from plumbing pipes, fittings and fixtures.
A variety of adaptable backwashing filters can be used to reduce corrosion. The filter needs to be cleaned annually. It also requires total calcite removal every two-three years. The injection system needs sodium carbonate to be added 2-3 times annually.
Click the “water treatment” tab on www.WellOwner.orgLearn more.
