Water Technology Limited - Treatment - Filters - Quality Testing.

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2021-01-02T10:01:00.000-08:00

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Specific information
Water Softening

Iron and manganese removal

Corrosion control - pH correction

Hydrogen Sulphide Odour

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Contact help desk 021-4965616/4965600
(Mon to Fri 9am-1pm& 2pm to 5pm) or email a.woods@watertechnology.ie
See on line maintenance videos

Buying a house with a well and septic system

2012-02-24T04:32:00.002-08:00

In rural areas, many homes do not have connections to municipal water and sewer lines. Homeowners use privately owned or communal (shared) wells as their drinking water source, and individual septic systems to treat and discharge their wastewater. Homeowners must ensure that their well water is safe to drink, and that their well and septic systems are properly maintained. A malfunctioning well or septic system can pose a health risk to your family and neighbours, and can be expensive to repair or replace. It is therefore important to conduct a detailed inspection of both the well and septic systems prior to purchasing a home.

Water Quality

The quality of the well water is very important. Poor water quality can lead to health problems, unpleasant taste and odour., Well water can be contaminated with bacteria and chemicals. Common sources of contamination include: infiltration from septic systems, manure runoff, pet waste, road chemicals as well as dissolved chemicals naturally present in the groundwater such as calcium, sulphur, chloride or iron.

Water Sampling

Your offer of purchase should always include a requirement that closing is conditional upon an acceptable water quality evaluation. It would be ideal to take three water samples, about a week apart, with one of the samples taken after a rainstorm when surface water contamination is most likely. If possible, take the water samples yourself. The three samples should be analyzed for: total coliform, E. coli, and nitrate while one of the samples should also be analyzed for: sodium, hardness, sulphate, chloride, lead, iron, manganese and pH. Additional analyses can be conducted including: metals scan, pesticides if the well is in an agricultural area with heavy pesticide use, or gasoline and solvents if the well is near a gas station or industrial area.

If possible, samples should be taken from a tap between the well pump and any water treatment units and/or pressure tank. Follow the directions on the sample submission form for proper water sampling procedures.

Where water treatment is in place. A treated water sample should be tested to check if the system is functioning correctly.

Alternatives to bottled water

2011-09-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

Would you like purified water on tap and save money at the same time. HOME
Want to reduce your grocery bill?
Want to reduce your waste?
Want to get away from drinking water from plastic bottles?

Tap water in Ireland is generally of good technical quality but often tastes unpleasant due to the presence of chlorine which imparts a taste , iron and manganese which cause discolouration, and organic materials and sediments which make water look unsightly.

All of these are very easily removed by installing a simple under-sink filter system which will give endless quantities of "filtered" water on demand. You can wash salads and vegetables in filtered water as well as having a never ending supply of filtered drinking water.

A range of filters is available to suit your individual needs. Some waters just need a carbon filter , some require an additional sediment filter and others in higher risk waters benefit from ultra filtration cartridges.

Filters for coffee machines

2011-08-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

– for removal of chlorine and organics incoffee machine feed water.

Uses of Carbon filters.

Carbon filters are used for a variety of applications in water treatment. Colour, odour and organics removal, chlorine removal, Oil and pesticide removal are the most common uses.

Use of carbon filters in this application.

Waters that contain chlorine and/or organic materials can produce unusual tastes and odours when used in coffee machines. Carbon filters remove these materials from the water supply before it enters the coffee making machine.

Two types of carbon filter are available for this application. The simple in-line cartridge system or the 0836 pressure vessel type used for higher capacity requirements.

How the cartridge filter works

The filter housing plumbed into the feed water line to the machine. As the water passes through the filter the chlorine and organics are removed. The carbon cartridge is replaced when the off flavours reappear in the beverage or at a pre determined interval based on experience.

How the 0836 filter works

The carbon filter consists of a pressure vessel containing activated carbon medium and an inlet/outlet valve. The incoming water supply travels through thecarbon in the filter and the chlorine and organics are removed.

Lifetime and maintenance

The lifetime of the carbon depends entirely onthe site conditions. The carbon will need to be replaced either when an offtaste becomes apparent in the beverage or at a pre determined service intervalbased on past history.

The vessel is constructed of fibreglass and thevalve is made from tough non-corroding materials. Unit components are coveredby a one year service guarantee. There is no regular maintenance required forthis unit but the carbon must be replaced when its capacity has been reached.

For advice on correct use of this filter andfor queries on Water Treatment and testing, contact the factory.

Dimensions: Vessel height 36” Vessel diameter 8” Inlet outlet connections : ¾” BSP female.

Iron and manganese in water

2011-08-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Automatic Iron/manganese filter

Back to treatment information page

One of the most common water quality problems is staining and sediments due to the presence of iron and or manganese in a water supply. Typically iron causes brown staining and sediments and manganese causes black staining and sediments. Iron and manganese can present in different forms. Some waters are clear coming directly from the ground and turn brown on standing or when they have been heated. Other waters are have a yellow/brown discolouration in them as they leave the ground. Yet others contain sediments that will fall to the bottom of a glass within a minute.

Water analysis is used to determine the levels of iron and manganese in a water supply. Where the problem is intermittent it is crucial that the sample for testing is taken at a time when the sediment or discolouration is visible in the water.

It is very important to choose water treatment equipment that is most suited to dealing with whatever form of iron and/or manganese are causing a problem. Some problems can be dealt with by using a simple in line sediment filter, while others need much more sophisticated equipment.

Our in-house water quality advisor's are trained to determine what equipment to recommend to solve iron and manganese problems. Water Technology have installation engineers who are trained on how to properly install, give maintenance instructions, service and repair equipment.

Call us on 021-4965616 to discuss your particular iron or manganese problem.

How to remove Chlorine and Fluoride from water for drinking and cooking.

2011-07-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

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Mains water supplies are provided for the public with Chlorine and Fluoride added. However, if you prefer to remove them from your drinking and cooking water, you can do so by installing an in-line filter system. A simple filter set, installed under your kitchen sink can be used to remove them from your drinking and cooking water. The system will also remove dirt and silt from the water. The kit consists of two filter housings, the first contains a carbon cartridge that will remove chlorine and the second is an Activated Alumina cartridge that will reduce the Fluoride content of the supply. The kit also comes with all the accessories needed including, the cartridges, self tapping valve, tubing, fittings, spanner, bracket and screws.

You can order this do it yourself kit directly from the factory at 021- 4965616.

If you are not confident of your plumbing skills, you can have the system installed by a local plumber.

The complete kit costs €219.00 inc. Vat ex factory.

Delivery charge extra - we will quote.

For a chlorine only removal kit : €180 inc Vat ex factory

We accept Credit and laser cards.

Solar system water quality issues

2011-07-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

The use of solar panels has become popular in domestic homes. This has brought about some new water quality issues that have not been previously seen. Under certain circumstances the antifreeze in the solar panel circulating system can leak into the house hot water system. If this happens , there is usually an odour from the hot water and the water can become "sudsy". Water Technology can carry out a test on the hot water supply to see if any antifreeze can be detected. Contact us at 021-4965616 or send an email to a.woods@watertechnology.ie for a sample testing bottle kit.

Colour and Odour in hot water supplies

2011-06-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

There are a number of causes of colour and odour in a hot water supply. The following are some of the most common causes we have encountered.

Brown discolouration in hot water:

Brown discolouration is usually caused by iron in water. Firstly a water examination of the cold water is needed to check if the iron is coming directly from the source. Iron coming directly from the source is removed using a filter system . As there are many types, our advisor's will help in choosing the best one for your particular situation.

If the iron is not coming from the source then it must be coming from a rusting metal in the hot water system.
This can often be the expansion tank attached to the hot water pump. Sometimes simply changing from a metal tank to a fibreglass tank will solve the problem.

Bad egg smell

This is caused by the odour of Hydrogen Sulphide. This odour of sulphur can come directly from a well water supply, or it can be generated within the hot water heater. It is important to establish which version you have as the remedy will be determined by the cause. If the odour is coming from the well then a filter system is required and you will need to have the water tested and a discussion with one of our quality advisor's to choose the correct method of treatment. If the odour is only from the hot water then the cause is a build up of hydrogen sulphide from bacterial action in the hot water heater. The remedy will include disinfection of the tank, it may also be necessary to change the anode in the heater and in some cases it may be necessary to install ongoing disinfection using chlorination, for the incoming water supply. Again these remedies can be discussed with one of our advisor's.

Chemical/Detergent type of odour:

The first thing to establish is if the odour is present in the cold direct water as well as the hot water.
If all of the hot and cold water has the odour then the problem is contamination of the source and a water sample should be submitted for examination.

If the odour is only from the hot water, then samples of the hot and cold should be submitted for testing.
It is also useful to shake a sample of the hot water to see if any foam develops. In homes where solar panels are installed it is possible that the cause of the problem may be a leak of the antifreeze from the solar panel system into the hot water system.

Dealing with bacterial contamination of well water.

2011-05-26T03:31:00.000-07:00

Wells are the most common source of water for those not fortunate to have a mains water supply available. The quality of water from a well is directly related to the rock formation in the ground where the well is drilled, and the environmental conditions surrounding the area at the top of the well.

If you have your well water tested and discover that the bacteria levels are high, then you need to consider the following possible sources. Dirt or surface water getting into the well because there is no cover. Leakages from septic tanks. Leakages from silage.Small animals falling into the well.Open soil or mounds of soil located too near the well (this includes vegetable gardens etc.). Seepage from ponds and streams. You need to examine the area within 30 meters of the well to see if any of the listed reasons could be the source of your problem.

Once you find the most likely sources, then you might be in a position to take some remedial action to prevent the problem. You may need to move the source of pollution further away from the well or you may need to cover the well properly. You may need to dig new drains to direct surface water away from the well.

You will then need to disinfect the well and have the water retested once all the disinfectant has been removed. If low level contamination remains, or if the potential for contamination remains , then you may need to consider installing equipment that will ensure that the water is continuously disinfected. This usually means the use of Ultraviolet filters or Chlorination. We can advise on the most appropriate method for your application.

Causes of discolouration in water supplies

2011-05-11T02:30:00.000-07:00

Good quality water for use in home or industry will be clear at all times. There are many causes of discolouration in water supplies, and while many do not have any health implications, they all make water aesthetically unpleasing . Some discoloured waters cause staining of baths, sinks , clothes etc, and some form sediments over time that causes blockages of pipes, ballcocks etc.

When water becomes suddenly discoloured a sample should always be tested for bacteria to see if the water remains safe to drink.

Some typical causes of discolouration are as follows:

Brown discolouration in well water caused by the presence of iron in the supply.
Black specks in a supply due to the presence of manganese.
Brown discolouration in a supply due to rusting of materials in the plumbing distribution system.
Green discolouration of water due to corrosion of copper.
Brown/yellow discolouration of water due to the presence organic matter in the supply.
Brown discolouration due to disturbance of soil in well waters. Often caused by heavy rain.

Treatments and filters are available to remove colour from water. It is critical to choose the filter/treatment most suited to remove the type of colour present in the supply. An experienced treatment advisor will correctly identify the cause and make an appropriate treatment recommendation.

Choosing the most suitable type of sediment filter for your water supply.

2011-03-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

Sediment in water causes problems due to its appearance, and causes blockages of valves, shower filters, ballcocks etc.

Sediment is best described as any material that will fall to the bottom of a glass of water in one minute. This type of sediment is easily removed from a water supply using a standard type of cartridge filter as shown in the photo on this page. Filter cartridges for general use come in many types from nylon washable types to pleated , extruded or string wound types which range in removal ability from 1 to 100 microns.

Where the quantity of sediment is so high that it blocks the cartridges at short intervals then consideration should be given to using more sophisticated self cleaning or backwashing systems.

Colloidal material that causes colour or turbidity in a water supply will not be effectively removed using this type of filter. This type of material will not fall to the bottom of a glass in a minute . In fact it may take hours or days and in some cases may never settle. In such cases, special filters using selective filter medias must be used or coagulation prior to filtration may be required. Analysis of sediment is essential in such cases in order to determine the correct technique to use.

Situations where sediment is only periodically present in a supply present a special challenge as it may not be present at the time of wishing to purchase a filter. In these cases we always recommend that the opportunity should be taken to hold on to a liter of the water whenever the sediment/discolouration /turbidity is present in the supply . This would allow for a proper examination to take place when choosing the treatment method.

Water softening and energy/detergent saving

2011-03-03T04:39:00.000-08:00

Clothes cleaned at 40 degrees lower, dishes washed with much less soap

Recent study results from the Water Quality association. - March 2011

LISLE, Ill., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers can cut back on dish and laundry detergent use by 50 percent or more and lower washing machine temperatures from hot to cold just by using softened water, two new independent studies revealed today show.

"The benefits of softened water in people's daily lives are significant," said Peter Censky, executive director of the Water Quality Association. "These studies show how consumers can save money and energy by softening their water."

The detergent savings studies, conducted by the independent testing firm Scientific Services S/D of New York and funded by the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF), reveal that using softened water:

In washing machines, detergent use can be reduced by 50 percent and energy saved by washing in 60 degree F cold water instead of 100 degree F hot water, achieving the same or better stain removal and whiter clothes compared to results in hard water.
In dishwashers, areas with very hard water can cut detergent use by more than 50 percent after softening and get the same results.

The results show that softened water might not only save consumers money but could also be environmentally friendly, Censky said. They can reduce reliance on polluting fuels because of energy savings and help cut back on harmful detergents going into water streams. Censky emphasized that these environmental benefits, however, are not quantified in the studies.

Researchers used varying levels of hardness and several different name brand detergents in washing machines and dishwashers. It was found that significant savings was noted for all levels of hardness, even hardness as low as 5 grains per gallon.

The laundry study looked at stain removal, putting into the machines from half to the entire amount of manufacturers' recommended levels. Water hardness ranged from none to 30 gpg, and wash temperature was 60, 80 and 100 degree F. It was found that using softer water is better at removing stains than increased water temperature or more detergent being used.

Notably, softened water with the least amount of detergent and lowest temperature actually provide a higher degree of whiteness compared to increased hardness and both high temperature and large amounts of detergent. This was found to be true for all stains and all the detergents tested.

"Better performance and savings can be achieved with softened water," the report's authors conclude.

The dishwasher study included tests that removed difficult soils, in addition to evaluating spotting and filming. Researchers found that softened water using almost 30 percent less detergent cleans as well as water at a 10 gpg (grains per gallon) hardness level. That detergent savings rises to nearly 70 percent when comparing softened water with water at a 25 gpg level.

In dishwashers, the relationship between detergent and hardness was investigated with two consecutive wash-dry cycles for spot and film. One detergent was evaluated for five cycles to ensure that effects do not change with increased number of cycles.

The study also states that air drying as a way to save electrical energy was evaluated and is promising to provide better results when softened water is used rather than hard water.

The detergent savings studies follow research last year that looked at the energy savings that softened water provides when used in water heaters. According to WQRF funded testing conducted in 2009 by the Battelle Institute:

Gas storage tank household water heaters operated on softened water maintained the original factory efficiency rating over a 15 year lifetime – versus as much as a 48% loss of efficiency in those operated with hard water.
Indoor instantaneous gas water heaters (tankless heaters) operated on softened water maintained the original factory efficiency rating over a 15 year lifetime. Tank-less water heaters operating on hard water failed after 19 days of testing.

WQA is a not-for-profit association that provides public information about water treatment issues and also trains and certifies professionals to better serve consumers. WQA has more than 2,500 members internationally. WQA provides Gold Seal certification for products that remove a variety of contaminants. These products are tested according to independently developed standards of the highly respected ANSI (the American National Standards Institute).

Annual testing of private water supplies recommended

2011-02-23T03:01:00.000-08:00

Public water supplies are tested by local authorities on a regular basis. Chlorine is added to all public and group scheme supplies to ensure they meet the EU directive for bacteria in drinking water. However, it is the responsibility of anyone with a private supply to look after their own water quality. While many water sources contain naturally low levels of bacteria, many contain unacceptable levels of Coliform bacteria. A water supply can look and taste perfect but still contain high levels of bacteria.

It is recommended that all private water supplies are tested for bacteria including total and faecal Colifroms on a yearly basis or at any time when there is a sudden change in the taste, colour or odour of the supply.

Private water supplies should also be tested regularly for Nitrates. Nitrates can enter the water supply from fertilizer spreading and sewage pollution. Nitrates are not eliminated from water by boiling.

Water Technology provide an annual monitoring service for Clients at a special rate of €45 inc Vat
We will provide the special containers needed for the samples.

You can contact us at 021-4965616/4965600 or order the testing pack directly from this site.

Hydrogen Sulphide Odour

2010-10-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

General: Back to treatment equipment page

Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) is a volatile gas that is found naturally in some well water supplies. It causes a foul odour often described as “rotten eggs”. The intensity of the odour depends on the amount of Hydrogen Sulphide contained in the water.

Some facts about H2S:

At the level found in well waters H2S is not harmful. It is the objectionable odour that prompts most homeowners to seek treatment. Only at excessively high, extremely rare cases is Hydrogen Sulphide considered dangerous In such cases, the smell would be so overpoweringly sickening as to preclude anyone thinking of entering an affected area. Due to its activity as a weak acid, at very high levels H2S can promote slight corrosion It can cause silver to tarnish

H2S gas is trapped in the ground and moves with the water as it is being pumped from the well. Being volatile, it takes the opportunity to escape from the water whenever a tap is turned on and pressure is released. This is the reason why the smell is most noticeable when running the kitchen cold tap, or any point of use fed directly from the pump.

Homes where all points of use are fed directly from the well: i.e. a fully pressurised system, sometimes notice the strongest “bad egg/foul odour” coming from the hot water. If you experience this in your home, be sure to bring this to our attention.

In homes where taps are fed from an attic storage tank, the smell is sometimes only noticed at the direct feed kitchen cold tap. This is because at moderately low levels, H2S will escape from the non-pressurised attic tank, dissipating into the atmosphere. At moderate levels, the smell from the kitchen cold tap will be greater than from the indirect, attic fed taps. At higher concentrations, even homes with attic tanks will experience the H2S smell at all taps, showers, or other water using appliances.

H2S levels vary between wells. Levels can also fluctuate quite dramatically in an individual well. For no apparent reason a very slight odour can suddenly become a very obvious bad smell. H2S can even totally disappear for a period of time.

The only predictable thing about H2S is its un-predictability. This makes anticipating the degree of problem difficult when considering treatment. It is therefore important to take into account the pattern of behaviour in an individual supply before deciding on a particular method of treatment.

Methods of treatment

For very low levels it is possible to use a simple in line carbon filter cartridge system. This is usually fitted only on a drinking water line.

If a carbon cartridge filter system is unable to handle the level of H2s then it is necessary to install a larger in line pressure vessel carbon filter system.

The carbon in this system needs to be replaced once its capacity for holding H2s has been reached. The length of time between refills will vary depending on the amount of water used and the amount of H2S to remove. Ideally an annual change of carbon is ideal.

For seriously high levels it is also necessary to chlorinate the water before the carbon filter. In certain situations levels have been so high that we have chlorinated the water which then goes to a storage tank for venting, before being pumped through the carbon for full removal of H2S. Thankfully the need for this belt and braces approach is pretty rare.

It is not unusual to install the smaller filters to begin with and upgrade to the larger systems on a step by step basis as necessary. The idea being to end up with the least complicated system that solves the problem.

Many waters that contain hydrogen sulphide , also contain iron and/or manganese. In such cases the treatment requirements will be somewhat different and should be discussed in detail with one of our water quality advisor's.

Multimedia Filters

2010-10-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

Back to water treatment page

Sediment filters are used to remove solid particles from water. The simplest are the in-line cartridge type, which are suitable for treating supplies with low levels of particulate matter. Cartridges used for this purpose are available as either disposable or re-usable types, and come in a variety of mesh sizes.

Since particles contained in the water can vary in size and quantity, the assistance of an experienced water treatment advisor can help you to choose the best type for your particular situation.

There will be cases where an in-line filter is simply incapable of removing all solids from the water. Supplies where this is occurring are likely to need more specialised automatic filters, and should be assessed on an individual basis.

Where in-line sediment filters are successfully removing sediment but block up too quickly, an AUTOMATIC MULTIMEDIA FILTER can be placed ahead of the in-line filter to remove the bulk of the sediment.

Automatic multimedia sediment filters consist of a pressure vessel, containing filtering medium, together with an variable control valve programmed to initiate a self-cleaning process. Filters are normally set to self-clean at 2 am, or when water is no longer being used in the home.

Types of media

There are various types of media used for sediment filtration, quartz sand is the most commonly used.

Sediment medias will typically remove particles larger than 5 microns. However, your water treatment advisor must first establish particle sizes and their ratio to water before suggesting the most appropriate media for treating your supply.

Lifetime and maintenance

The lifetime of most automatic sediment removal filters is 0-12 years. The useful life of media will be shortened if it becomes fouled. The pressure vessel is constructed of fibreglass and the valve of tough non-corroding materials. Filters are covered by a one-year service guarantee.

While sediment filters require very little attention, there are two important considerations: (i) In the event of a power cut, the timer clock must be reset, and (ii) water pressure must not be allowed to drop below 30 psi.

From a health perspective, it is important that water quality be assessed by a qualified advisor before fitting any treatment equipment.

Reverse Osmosis

2010-10-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

How the filter works

Reverse osmosis is a technique, which uses a semi permeable membrane to reduce the dissolved solids content of water. A high proportion of the dissolved solids, concentrates on one side of a membrane with a small % of the water, which goes to drain. The purified water, which penetrates the membrane contains very few dissolved solids and becomes the service water. Pre and post filters also further purify the water.

Back to water treatment page

Positioning of the filter

Reverse osmosis filters are usually positioned under the kitchen sink. The filters are supplied with all fittings and tubing necessary including the faucet tap, which becomes the third treated water tap at the sink. For users who do not want a third tap, a specialised three - way tap is available on request which replaces the existing cold and hot water tap. The standard pumped RO unit can provide plenty of drinking and cooking water for the average family.

Space requirements

The reverse osmosis system is comprised of two separate parts. The membrane and filter housing set which is mounted on the side wall of a press. The housing set dimensions are H: 48cm W: 40 cm D: 20 cm. The treated water holding tank sits on the floor of the press and the dimensions are Height: 42 cm Diameter: 30 cm. The unit also requires a standard domestic 220V socket and a drain.

Most common uses for reverse osmosis filters:

Reverse osmosis systems reduce a very wide range of constituents from water. Please request a full listing. Most users however use them for reduction of specific materials such as nitrates, or sodium in softened water.

Important: Water should always be tested before fitting a reverse osmosis filter. Reverse osmosis systems are not recommended for control of bacteria in water supplies. Additional equipment such as Ultraviolet filtration is required for control of bacteria.

Bag Filtration

2010-10-19T06:37:00.000-07:00

For removal of sediment and particles from water supplies in farms , hotels or any high flow situation, we recommend our high capacity bag filter range. Bag filters have 11/2" connections and come supplied with a mounting bracket, pressure gauge and spanner for ease of bag exchange.

The bags are available in a multiple of micron sizes from 1 micron up.

Bag filters are also used to prevent the forward flow of fines from multimedia and other medias used for the removal of iron and manganese.

Discuss your application with one of our advisors to ensure that this is the correct type of filter for your requirement.

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Cartridge Filtration

2010-10-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

Back to equipment information

We carry a wide range of filter housings and cartridges for filtration of particles from water.

Filter cartridges are available from sub micron , up to 100 microns for use in many applications.

Specialty cartridges are also available for removal of Carbon, Fluoride, Pesticides etc.

The size and type required will depend on the type of sediment to be removed and the flow rate required for the application.

It is best to discuss your requirement with one of our advisors for advice on the most suitable system for you.

Ultraviolet treatment

2010-10-19T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ultraviolet light Back to water treatment page

Ultraviolet light is a natural component of sunlight, falling just below the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Higher energy wavelengths of UV light have the unique ability to destroy micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, cysts, etc.) in water or air, stopping the ability to multiply and cause infection and illness.

Efficiency of systems.

The efficiency of any Ultra Violet Filter is totally dependant on its ability to maintain the correct intensity of UV light. This means that not all UV Filters may be suitable for your particular case.The correct sized UV unit will be capable of transmitting enough energy (32mJ) through the water to guarantee the desired kill rate at the required flow rate. It should not be assumed that all makes of 30 watt UV filters have the same performance capability.

Water Clarity

For an Ultraviolet system to work, the water entering the UV chamber must be very clear at all times. Any deposits left by the water on the Quartz sleeve of the chamber will interfere with the transfer of UV light and will render the UV unit less effective. A 5 micron pre sediment filter will take out particles from the incoming water and will help to keep the quartz sleeve clean.

Water testing

It is crucial to have the water tested before using an Ultraviolet filter. Testing will ensure that the levels of bacteria are within the limits acceptable for treatment by UV and will be useful in detecting any materials in the supply, which would interfere with the effectiveness of the UV unit.

Soil and iron deposits.

There are some waters that are clear most of the time, but on occasion, for example after heavy rain, can become a little discoloured. These waters tend to contain a little excess iron, mostly originating from soil. This material will interfere with and can foul an Ultraviolet filter. Unfortunately it will interfere with the system just at the time when it may be most needed. A 5 micron pre sediment filter will not be sufficient to remove this type of material. If your water supply suffers in this way you should bring it to our attention before installing a UV filter. More sophisticated pre-filters can be used where it is felt that a problem with fouling may occur.

Talk to our technical staff at the factory 021-4965616/4965600 for any further assistance required.

Chlorination

2010-10-19T04:17:00.000-07:00

Back to treatment page

Chlorine has long been added to water as it is an inexpensive, effective and easy to operate way to deal with bacteria in water. When added in a proportion to flow manner and where levels are monitored properly it is not normally detected by consumers.

Chlorine demand

When chlorine is added to water some of it is used up in reacting with bacteria in the water, more is used up in reacting with any iron, manganese or organic matter present. This is often referred to as the chlorine demand of the supply. When calculating the amount of chlorine solution to add, the chlorine demand must be taken into account.

Contact time

When chlorine is added to water it must react for some time before the water can be considered safe to drink. This is called the contact time. The length of time required can be a minimum of 15 minutes and in some situations can be 30 minutes. Provision must be made for this in the installation of the chlorine injection system.

The contact time can be provided by an in line pressure tank or by using a storage tank. Note when a storage tank is used that the pressure is lost and a pump is required after the storage tank to deliver the water forward. As a general rule, low volume situations use a pressure tank and high volume situations use a tank or reservoir to provide the contact time.

Drinking water with chlorine added

At the levels usually used to disinfect water, chlorine is safe to drink. However, where the taste of chlorine is found to be objectionable, simple carbon filters can be used to remove it at the point of use. For a single tap, the best solution is a small in line filter housing containing a carbon cartridge. More information on these is available on request.

Injection mechanism

The picture above shows the pump and meter set which is used to add the sodium hypochlorite solution to the water. The system includes, dosing pump, ¾”meter (larger meters are also available), Dosing tank and bund. The contact tank is not shown

Other applications

Chlorine is also used to assist in the removal of hydrogen sulphide from water supplies.

We can also supply Ultraviolet filtration for control of bacteria.

Corrosion Control - pH Correction

2010-10-19T03:26:00.000-07:00

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The typical symptoms of Corrosion are blue/green staining of baths, sinks, showers etc. Pinhole leaks of copper cylinders and pipework are also common. In some cases the water can cause hair to turn green.

pH is a measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration of water. The EU directive (SI no 430 of 2000) for pH is greater than 6.5 and less than 9.5. Low pH is considered acidic. High pH is considered alkaline. Typically waters with a pH lower than 6.5 may require neutralisation in order to control the corrosion of metals. Depending on the application the pH of the water may be raised to 7 or 7.5 or up to 8-8.5 to treat certain conditions.

General information

Any strong alkali solution can be used to raise pH. Water Technology currently offer Corrotex N (potassium hydroxide) in 25 litre containers for pH correction. When added at the correct concentration and monitored using the test kit provided,

this method has been found to be an extremely easy and effective way of neutralising water. Every litre of water is treated to the same pH level. This is not the case in slowly dissolving mineral filters where continuous adjustment is required to compensate for the level of mineral dropping in the vessel. It also eliminates the variance in pH caused by fluctuating flow rates through the filter. Operator input is minimised and unlike dissolving mineral systems, this system does not require to be dismantled for refilling of a media. The container of neutraliser is simply exchanged when it goes low. Note also that all methods for pH correction require the addition of material to the water. This is the case whether it is in the form of a liquid , or materials that slowly dissolve into the water from a filter media in a pressure vessel. The notion of non chemical pH correction is a myth.

Injection system

The photo above shows a typical installation with a meter and dosing set and using a 25 lt container of neutraliser. – The same system can be used with 200 lt or 1000 lt bulk containers. More sophisticated pumps than that shown in the photo can be used where additional signal outputs are required.

Safety issues:

Water Technology install dosing systems only when used with an impulse water meter. This eliminates the possibility of overdosing which could occur in dosing system which are operated by wiring the dosing pump in parallel with the well pump.

Water Technology also manufacture and supply alternative dissolving mineral acid neutralising filters. Contact us to discuss pros and cons of the alternatives.

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Iron and manganese removal

Iron and manganese cause brown and black discolouration and sediment in water. If your water supply is clear when drawn from the ground , but turns brown later, then you have dissolved iron and /or manganese. If your water comes brown from the ground and/or contains black sediment then you have suspended or colloidal iron or manganese present.

It is critical when treating water that contains iron or manganese to properly establish the nature of the problem. The technique used for treatment must be suitable for the form in which the material must be dealt with.

Water Technology Ltd. have a selection of treatment methods available for treating iron and manganese.

The first step in treating this type of problem is a water analysis. This is followed by a discussion about the type of problem, the volume of water to be treated and the type of plumbing system in the home, hotel or factory. At this stage our water quality advisors will recommend the most suitable method of treatment for your application and will provide a quotation.

High levels of iron and manganese can be very challenging to treat. However, using techniques that we have developed over years, we can now treat even exceptionally high levels.

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Softening Back to water treatment page

Softening is the process of removing Lime from water. Water that contains a high level of lime (150 mg/l CaCo3 or more) is described as "hard". Hard water causes lime scale to develop on boilers, hot water pipes, showers, kettles etc.

A water softener is used to remove lime from water. The process uses a technique called ion-exchange. In this technique, lime (Calcium and Magnesium) from the water is taken up by a material called Resin in the water softener and swapped for Sodium. The softened water has a reduced lime content and an increased Sodium content. Sodium does not cause scale. The system uses salt (sodium chloride) to regenerate itself .

The EU directive for Sodium in drinking water is 200 mg/l. The amount of Sodium in the softened water is determined by the amount of lime in the untreated water. Most softened waters contain sodium levels that are under the EU directive for drinking. Once you have had a water sample tested you can check if your softened water will be under the EU directive level of 200 mg/l for sodium. For those with high levels of Sodium in the drinking water, or for those who want to use the softened water for making baby feed, a secondary technique called Reverse Osmosis can be used for the drinking water only.

Softeners come in different sizes. Our in-house water quality advisors will help you to choose the correct size for your requirement.

Common water problems

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Common Aesthetic Water Quality Problems and Solutions
Problem	Cause	Solutions
Hard water (scales/deposits in kettles and water heaters)	Excess calcium	Water softeners
Rusty (red to brown) staining of fixtures and laundry and/or metallic taste	Excess iron	Specialist Iron filtration systems. Method chosen will always be dependant on the water analysis.
Black staining of fixtures and laundry and/or metallic taste	Excess manganese	Specialist Manganese filtration systems. Method chosen will always be dependant on the water analysis.
Rotten egg smell	Hydrogen sulphide	Can vary from simple carbon filter to more sophisticated systems depending on levels present
Water has laxative effect	Excess sulphates	Reverse osmosis Distillation
Turbidity/grittiness	Mud/silt/clay/sediment in water	Sediment filters
Green staining	Acidic water	pH correction
Organic (tea) colour	Tannins	Chlorination-filtration

Why is my hair turning green ?

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pH is a measure of the acidity of water. Waters with pH levels under 6.5 are considered acidic and waters with a pH over 9.5 are considered alkaline. The lower the pH , the more acidic the water supply. Acidic water supplies have a tendency to corrode copper.

If you have acidic water and you have copper plumbing and a copper cylinder in your home, you are likely to get corrosion of copper which results in blue/green staining. The staining can be under taps in sinks and baths, on grouting in tiles, and in some cases it turns blonde hair green.

The long term effect of the corrosion of copper is leaks in the cylinder and pipework. Electric showers are also prone to this type of corrosion.

The problem can be solved by neutralising the water before it enters the home. Equipment is available which can do this automatically . You should begin by having the water tested. We can recommend the most appropriate treatment for your situation by examining the test results.

It should be noted that the water in swimming pools that are chlorinated can also turn some blond hair green.
Special shampoos are available to remove the green from the hair.

How to remove Chlorine taste from drinking water

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One of the most common complaints is the taste of bleach that consumers get from their mains supply drinking water. This taste is caused by the chlorine that is added to the mains water by the local authority in order to make it safe to drink. At times it is necessary to raise the levels and sufficient must be added to make sure that customers at the end of a line get water as safe as those who live near the treatment plant.

This means that some customers may actually taste and smell the chlorine in the water. The good news is that this is a very simple water quality problem to solve. A simple in-line carbon filter fitted under the kitchen sink will remove 100% of chlorine from the water. The filtered water tastes great and the cartridge in the filter will last six months *. There is no need to have a separate faucet tap as all the cold water is filtered.

* Waters that contain sediment may shorten the lifespan of the filter cartridge and a pre-filter may be recommended.

For more information call 021-4965600/4965616 or see www.watercheck.ie

Oil contamination in water

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Oil contamination of well water can happen very easily. It is not uncommon in Ireland for home owners to locate the heating oil storage tank very close to, or even directly over the well water supply. Unfortunately this is really the last place where the tank should be positioned as any leak from the tank or the pipework coming form it , can cause oil to leak directly into the well . Having a well contaminated by oil is a very nasty problem for which there is no quick fix solution.

A tiny drip from an oil pipe can go unnoticed for a very long time and may not be discovered until someone complains of a strange taste and smell from the drinking water. Damage to the main oil storage tank has caused up to 300 liters of oil to go directly into wells overnight. Even small spillages during the filling of the tank has caused severe contamination.

Everyone with an oil tank should ensure that it is properly positioned, the tank and pipework checked on a regular basis and any damaged items should be replaced immediately. Tanks or pipework should never have temporary patchwork repairs. Be mindful also that your oil could contaminate your neighbours well.

If you are unlucky enough to have your well contaminated by oil , you should have the water tested and you should seek immediate advice from an expert on the best way to proceed. You should not use the water for drinking or washing while it smells of oil.

Solutions:

It may be possible for us to help you recover the well or you may need to drill a new well. In the short term you should try to locate another source such as a neighbor's water supply, that you can connect to on a temporary basis, until you can rectify the situation. Treatment to remove the oil from the water is also available. The content of oil must first be reduced to a low level by cleaning the well. Following this, filters can be installed that remove the final traces of oil from the supply. Your home insurance policy may cover the cost of remediation and treatment.

More information available at 021-4965616/4965600

Lead in drinking water

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We regularly have queries about how to remove lead from drinking water.This is a problem that is reasonably common in cities and towns. The lead is in the water because it is being picked up as it travels through old lead pipes.

Most lead pipes have been removed but some remain in the mains network and in old houses where lead pipes are positioned between the mains and the house.

Some of the lead is leaching from the pipes into the water supply. The EU directive for lead in potable water is 10 ug/l. This is less than the previously acceptable level of 25 ug/l. Hence the reason why some supplies which would have had acceptable levels are now failing to meet the new directive.

For a homeowner,the easiest way to remove Lead from drinking water is to use a specialised filter under the sink which provides treated water to a drinking water faucet tap. This type of system uses a very special type of carbon filter which has the ability to reduce lead as well as chlorine and organic materials.

The whole system comes as a kit which can be easily installed by a plumber.
For homeowners who do not want a faucet tap it is possible to buy a three way tap to replace the existing kitchen taps. The three way tap has a special connection for the filtered water.

For prices and more information call 021-4965616/4965600

The importance of water analysis

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Water analysis is the first step in determining the quality of the water you use in your home or commercial enterprise. Water that is supplied to cities, towns and villages is tested on a regular basis by the local County or City Council. Private water supplies are never tested by any official body and it is the responsibility of a homeowner to look after and protect their own water supply.

Well and surface waters are vulnerable to pollution and should be checked for bacteria and nitrates on an annual basis. Chemical issues such as brown discolouration, corrosion and lime scale are caused by the natural rock formations in the well. Most chemical issues with water can be corrected by appropriate treatment.

There are over 50 EU water quality directive tests that can be carried out on water. While some waters are checked for all parameters, it is more economical to test for parameters that are of particular interest when an issue arises.

For home water supplies, a set of parameters is picked which examines the typical problems found in Irish waters. These are bacteria tests including Total and Faecal Coliforms and chemical tests including pH,dissolved solids,iron, manganese,nitrates,alkalinity and water hardness. We call this set the "General Assessment". When necessary, additional tests, for example metals such as copper, lead and arsenic are added. When having a water examination carried out it is always crucial to explain the reason for testing to the laboratory. The laboratory will recommend the appropriate set of tests for the issue you want to examine.

As some problems are intermittent it is also important to submit a sample when the problem is present in the water. A good example of this is where water gets discoloured after heavy rain. If testing this type of water,it is obviously best to take the sample for testing,when the discolouration is present in the supply.

Water should be tested immediately if it suddenly develops any unusual colour, taste or odour.