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What is iron removal?

The process of iron removal is to make water safer for consumption. By consuming water that has a high level of iron content, the excess iron will naturally be stored in organs like the heart, liver, and pancreas, leading to having too much iron in the body. Too much iron can lead to diabetes, heart problems, liver disease, and other life-threatening conditions. 

What methods are used for iron removal? 

There are different ways that iron removal can be done. It is recommended for your water quality be tested before proceeding with any type of water filtration. This will ensure that you’re removing the right type of materials and not something that you need. The ways for iron removal can be done in various ways, including:

Equipment

What equipment is used for iron removal? Every region of the country can have different factors affecting the water supply, thus why water quality testing should be done first. The factors that should be a concern are: 

• Temperature
• pH balance
• Alkalinity
• Dissolved oxygen content
• … and other factors 

If the wrong equipment is used, or the equipment is used wrong, it can lead to failure. Following the directions provided by the equipment manufacturer for the backwash rate, flow rate recommended pH levels,  and maximum iron input level as well as suggested water temperatures.

Water filter

Water filters are the most commonly used method for homeowners because of their versatility. Most iron removal systems operate using the principle of oxidation and converting the iron to a ferrous state before filtering the water. 

Water softener

By design, water softeners exchange ions and for the iron removal process, a cation resin is used to exchange the iron content for sodium, and exchange the calcium and magnesium are exchanged for sodium. 

Media Selection

Filtration with various means of oxidation is a common iron removal method. Various choices in media for iron removal can include other processes like aeration, chlorine, peroxide injection, or ozone to give the oxidizing properties a boost. The media choices include: 

• Greensand
• Manganese dioxide
• Birm
• Redox

What are the benefits of iron removal? 

Iron removal from your water has several benefits, including: 

• Increases the plumbing’s lifespan.
• Improves the water pressure.
• Extend the lifespan of your appliances.
• Improves the health of your hair and skin.
• Improves the smell and taste.

How do you know your water has too much iron?

The best method for iron removal is to start with professional laboratory testing. This will give you an exact measurement of iron in your water so that you know how to proceed. If your water has reddish or yellowish colored, either the water has a high level of iron, or you may need to have your home replumbed. 

How can iron affect your family?  

High doses of iron can cause health problems for a healthy person. Some of the after-effects of excessive iron include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• An upset stomach, especially on an empty stomach
• Vomiting

When iron is consumed in large amounts, the effects can be more serious. This includes the stomach lining becoming inflamed and the formation of ulcers. 

How often should iron removal equipment be serviced?

The level of iron in your water can affect the frequency of having your iron removal equipment serviced. With a media tank in good condition, the filter should be re-bedded and serviced annually. The technician that provides that service will advise you if you should increase that frequency. For the iron removal process to be thorough, it is important to maintain the recommended service frequency. 

Closing thoughts

Water is an important thing in our lives, we can’t live without it. In fact, three days is the maximum! And because we need water daily, we need to get the best quality of water possible, and if that requires iron removal, it is worthwhile.

However, we need to main a certain level of iron too, which means we need to maintain the iron removal process.  How much do we need? It varies from person to person and it is different between men and women, and our age has a bearing on the amount of daily iron requirement for our health. Some examples of iron requirements are: 

• For men over 18 years of age, 8.7mg 
• For women between ages 19 and 50, 14.8mg
• For women over the age of 50, iron requirements drop to 8.7mg

These are basic lines, everyone should have their medical professional give them accurate guidance in their iron intake. For premier iron removal in Leander, TX, please get in touch with us at 800-633-8469 to get started!

So, is chlorine bad for you, really? While chlorine is important in swimming pools, generally, there isn’t enough to cause any harm. Our eyes get red and burn for a bit, too much swimming time can cause our skin to dry out, but it isn’t deadly if the instructions are followed. What about our drinking water though, is chlorine really in the water we drink? 

It is necessary for sanitizing the water, making it safe to consume. Proper concentrated amounts of chlorine are non-toxic to humans. Chlorine is added by municipalities to assist in killing harmful bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that can make humans sick when ingested. The same reason it is added to swimming pools! 

In the 1800s, it was discovered that chlorine had disinfecting properties, and when there were multiple deaths from assorted diseases, it was added to the water. This helped minimize the number of cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, all waterborne diseases. 

How much chlorine can be in drinking water? 

At the level of four milligrams per liter, or less, chlorine in drinking water is safe and is unlikely to have any repercussions on our health. Then, if there is too much chlorine, and no practice for chlorine removal, what are the side effects of chlorine in drinking water?

Again, if chlorine is good for us, why is chlorine removal so important? There are several adverse health effects when too much chlorine is ingested, among those effects are:

• Asthma: Studies have found that chlorine exposure in swimming pool water is associated with asthma symptoms during exercise. Absorbing chlorine in the body while bathing or breathing in chlorine can aggravate asthma symptoms. 
• Food Allergies: Other studies found that chlorine had the same effects found when exposed to dichlorophenols. Chlorine and dichlorophenols are both found in pesticides, and those that were part of the studies had more food allergies than those not exposed to over-chlorinated drinking water. 
• Abnormal Congenital: Approximately 400,000 individuals were studied, and the expectant women had children born with various birth abnormalities. Those abnormalities included brain development issues, cleft palates, and ventricular septal defects.
• Cancer: A study published in 1995 linked chlorinated water and THM byproducts with cancer of the bladder and rectum.

Can you taste chlorine?

The chlorine added to drinking water for disinfecting it often will react with plastics and rubbers like in plumbing and kitchen appliances. This results in a taste that is bitter or metallic, tasting disinfectant-like. While it tastes bad, it isn’t necessarily harmful, and while you may be quick to think there is too much chlorine, it often is because of an insufficient amount of chlorine in the water. 

Is it safe to remove chlorine from tap water?

Yes, it is safe; in fact, there are filters designed for chlorine removal. Do water filters remove chlorine?  Yes, there are different types of water filters for chloramine and chlorine removal as well as other chemicals and minerals that affect your drinking water. Among those filters and methods are: 

• Reverse Osmosis
• Ultraviolet Light
• Activated Carbon

Activated Carbon is an efficient technique for chloramine and chlorine removal. In addition, Activated Carbon has adsorption properties and is a catalyst for converting chlorine to chloride which is absorbed easier. 

How do I get the chlorine out of my water?

Chlorine removal can be done by any of the following ways: 

• Water Distillers: As much as 97% of the element chlorine removal can happen. 
• Reverse Osmosis: The ideal way to remove pollutants and toxins. 
• Ultraviolet Light: Chlorine removal with UV light with 180nm to 200nm wavelength.
• Evaporation: The best and most natural chlorine removal is done by evaporation. 
• Water Filter: This device will perform the chlorine removal needed to rid the smell and taste that we don’t like. 
• Activated Carbon Filter: Chlorine removal with a water filter pitcher that uses activated charcoal.

With the questions, if you haven’t thought about it before, you’re probably wondering now why water quality testing is important. Water quality testing is important to anybody that the water industry can affect. Water quality testing is performed with the purpose of meeting all regulatory requirements with the goal of meeting all safety procedures for clean, healthy, pollutant-free water. 

Water quality is essential to the public, economically, health-wise, and socially, therefore, water quality testing provides results that confirm the water meets the suitability guidelines in place before it is dispersed for human, livestock, or irrigation purposes. 

When is water quality important?

Water quality is important anytime the water will be consumed or used by humans, animals, and for agriculture purposes. We need our water to be clean and healthy for bathing, cleaning, cooking, drinking, and laundry.  

Animals should have access to clean, healthy water to give them a safer life, and for the animals that will feed humans, their consumption of safe water is important as part of the pyramid.  

The same with agricultural use of water, the foods that are grown should be watered with clean, healthy water for the same reason – it will eventually end up on our table for human consumption. 

To summarize the answer to this question, poor water quality poses a health risk for humans and the ecosystems. With water quality testing, there is a sense the water is safe for agricultural, animal, and human use.

What is considered good water quality?

Clean, healthy, high-quality water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless because there are not any impurities. Water quality testing checks and measures impurities in water which are referred to as TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). This is a measurement of the total ions in a solution of water and testing materials.

There is more to a simple claim that “this water is clean” or “this water is good” or “this water is not good”. Water quality testing is done by scientific measurements to define and determine water quality.  There are several factors involved in measuring water quality including: 

• The concentration of dissolved oxygen
• Bacteria levels
• Amount of salinity (salt)
• Turbidity (the amount of material suspended in the water

Additionally, there are some bodies of water where the are other measurements taken with water quality testing that includes: 

• Microscopic algae concentration
• Quantities of pesticides
• Herbicides
• Heavy metals
• Other contaminants are used to determine water quality

How do you know if water is good quality?

Looking at it and tasting it isn’t a sufficient water quality testing process. Several county health departments offer water quality testing for bacteria or nitrates. Or you can contact a testing laboratory that has been certified by the state for water quality testing. There are also kits you can buy to do your own water quality testing. 

There are several varieties of water quality testing kits, some use a powder, some use strips, and there are combinations of both. The deciding factor of which one to use will depend on what contaminant you are screening for and your water source.

For city furnished water quality testing can be done with a basic kit that covers chlorine, lead, and other common contaminants. If you are on well-water, you need to use a more comprehensive water quality testing kit that will also screen for fertilizer, pesticides, and other agricultural toxins.

What improves water quality?

To improve the water quality in your home, the following tips will ensure that the water coming from the treatment plant to your home will pass any water quality testing process: 

• Flushing: Before you use the water for cooking or drinking, let the cold water run for 2 minutes.  When water sits in the waterlines, the quality declines. If anyone has been bathing, washing dishes, using the toilet, or doing laundry, the 2-minute running isn’t necessary. 
• Cold Water Use: Always use cold tap water for cooking and drinking. Contaminants in the water are dissolved in hot water from the water heater that could be consumed. This includes bacteria, metal, sediment, and other contaminants.
• Water Filters: Purchase a water filter and then replace the filter cartridge as recommended on the package. Using a cartridge past the recommended changing period is using leaving bacteria, metals, and other contaminants in the filter to rinse into the water that is being consumed. 
• Household Plumbing: Any plumbing that has a potential lead source should be replaced with “lead-free” plumbing fixtures. Once you have replaced the plumbing, let the cold water run for 5-minutes every day for 3 days. 
• Faucet Aerators: Clean or replace your faucet aerators on a regular basis. Metals and sediment collect there and get into the water you’re consuming. 
• Water Heater: Drain your water heater once a year to remove any bacteria, metals, or sediment buildup. 

What are the important things to check in water testing?

A water testing service helps determine the health and safety of the water supply, and the water treatment system’s performance. Those who live where their water comes from a municipal water system will typically get an annual water quality report. 

However, if you have well water, there isn’t any annual water reports. In addition, homes built before 1986 were not mandated to use lead-free pipes. So, regardless of how safe the water report reflects, the plumbing in your home could lead to leaching into the water as it comes through the faucets. A water testing service will test for the following: 

• Basic water potability

Testing for chloride, coliform bacteria, fluoride, hardness, iron, manganese, nitrates, pH, sodium, sulfate, and total dissolved solids.

• Coliform bacteria

The presence of microorganisms in the water has the potential to be harmful to human health.

• Nitrate

A common contaminant found in groundwater and is a concern when on well water. Nitrates interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. A high concentration of nitrate is specifically dangerous for babies six months old and younger.

• Ions

Ions such as chloride, iron, manganese, sodium, and sulfate can convey objectionable odor or taste to water.

• Sulfate

Disproportionate amounts of sulfate can have a laxative effect and has been known to trigger gastrointestinal irritation.

• Fluoride

Fluoride is essential for our bodies, but in excess, it has been known to cause dental issues.

• Total dissolved solids

Represent the number of inorganic substances, like chloride, sodium, and sulfate dissolved in the water which can affect the taste of water.

• Additional testing

Other tests that can determine contaminants in water, especially groundwater feeding wells are arsenic, selenium, and uranium. For both groundwater and surface sources, a water testing service can find if there is any pesticide contamination.

What are water testing parameters?

Water testing services focus on six parameters that are assessed for aquatic macroinvertebrates which determine water quality.  Those 6 parameters are: 

• Temperature
• pH
• Turbidity
• Salinity
• Nitrates
• Phosphates

How do you conduct a water test?

Whether you’re on city water or well water, there may be chemicals, contaminants, and the overall pH balance that you should be aware exist. The at-home water testing service kits on the market today have proven to provide accurate results. With that information, you can choose a water filter that will serve your household the best. There are a variety of water testing service at-home kits, complete with the strips and powders needed, based on what it is you’re needing to know.

• The water sources: The water source you have will determine what kind of water testing service kit you need. For city water supply, the basic kit will cover the common contaminants like chlorine and lead. For well water, you’ll need a water testing service kit that is comprehensive screening for pesticides.

• The water quality: Most of the water testing kits for quality are one-use only. If you will be testing on a regular basis, your better option would be to use a professional water testing service lab. 

• Quality test strips: Water testing service test strips are more commonly used because of their affordability and ease to use. You should follow the directions thoroughly for the best and most accurate results. 

• Powder kits for bacteria water testing service: Instead of using strips, these kits have a powder where you add a few water droplets to the powder in a container, shake, and compare the colors to a chart. The accuracy of these types of water testing services is better than the test strips. If you need to know How to test water for bacteria at home, the powder water testing service kits are the better option. 
• Which contaminants:  Which water testing service kit you choose should be based on what contaminants you’re concerned about. For instance, often well water is common in the country and rural areas where water runoff from the nearby farm fields could have levels of fertilizer or pesticide toxins. With that in mind, you should choose a kit that tests for the following: 

• Bacteria
• Chlorine
• Lead
• Nitrates
• Nitrites

Additionally, it may be helpful to have a water testing service kit that will walk you through how to test the pH of water, how to test for lead in water, and general hardness when there are water quality issues with smells and tastes. 

• Calibrate to EPA standards:  There aren’t any home water testing service kits endorsed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), but they do provide a guideline on the frequency that water should be tested. You can also get a list of risk factors for your water that have the potential of contamination. 

Are water testing kits accurate?

As we mentioned, the powder-type water testing service kits have been to be more accurate than the strip type of water testing. Water test service kit’s accuracy can vary by manufacturer, but all are calibrated to EPA testing standards. Some will even have an EPA certification for accuracy. 

Which pH water is best?

The United States federal agency, Environmental Protection Agency recommends that water sources for public consumption should have a pH level of 6.5 to 8.5 with 7 being the best on a scale measuring between zero and fourteen. 

As mentioned, hard water has an excessive presence of two harsh but natural minerals: calcium and magnesium. With a high presence of these two minerals, it creates a hard scale in the water, resulting in hard water. While these are minerals necessary for our bodies, too much of a good thing isn’t good. 

Soft water on the other hand, doesn’t have these harsh minerals. When there is too much of those minerals, it can be damaging to the plumbing in your home as well as to your body. For example, hard water is more effective with soap whereas hard water inactivates the soap, making it ineffective. 

Certain areas of the country are known to have hard water. With a water softener installation into the homes of these areas, the water becomes healthier and more effective. Just looking at the water coming from a faucet won’t tell you if you have hard or soft water. The signs of how to tell you have hard water are:

• A film-like feeling after washing your hands, like the soap didn’t all come off. This is the soap reacting to the calcium minerals in the water. When left on your hands, or any surface, it forms soap scum. To remove that soapy film from your hands, you have to rinse longer, thus using more water. 
• Spots on your dishes, especially visible on glasses and silverware when you remove them from the dishwasher. Those spots are from the mineral of calcium carbonate deposits. If those spots are on your dishes, imagine what is inside the pipes and your body. 
• Mineral staining on clothes that just came out of the washing machine. Those minerals are stained onto your clothing, and this causes them to become thinner and wear out faster. Again, imagine what those minerals are doing to the insides of your body and the water pipes. 
• A low water pressure results from having mineral deposits build up inside the pipes. When your pipes become narrower, the flow of water is reduced. 

Is it safe to drink hard water?

Yes, and soft water is safe to drink as well. Where hard water contains a higher level of calcium and magnesium, soft water contains a higher level of sodium. There are health benefits to both hard and soft water, and there are downsides to both as well. 

So, if either type of water is safe to drink, what are the benefits of having water softener installation? There are several benefits of soft water: 

• Lowers the water bill by not having to rinse longer in the shower to get soap off and dishes don’t need additional rinsing out of the dishwasher. 
• Clothing doesn’t wear out as fast
• Soap scum is gone. 
• Body and hair are less dried out , healthier. 
• Plumbing and water using appliances last longer. 

How do you soften hard water?

You can soften water naturally by adding sodium carbonate to the dishwasher and washing machine. To soften the water coming into your bath or shower though, a water softener installation is the best and most effective way to soften your water. 

A water softener installation will collect the calcium and magnesium minerals that cause water hardness with tiny resin beads. This process is referred to as an ion exchange with the sodium or potassium minerals in the resin beads.

How much should it cost to have a water softener installed?

A professional water softener installation averages around $1,500 with the range between $1,000 and as much as $3,000. This depends on the type of water softener system being installed and the size of the home. 

The cost includes not only the water softener system itself but the experience of a professional that knows how to install a water softener correctly. They will also provide instructions on recommended water softener maintenance to get the most out of the system for a longer lifespan. 

Since our bodies are 60% water, water is a necessity to live. Water is involved in several body functions that are essential in regulating our body temperature and flushing out toxins. Additionally, water protects our body tissues, joints, and spinal cord. Water is also a natural resource, and if you haven’t heard, our natural resources are all under pressure today. With climate change, pollution, and a constant, rapidly growing population, it is hard for those natural resources to keep up with demand. That includes our tap water, unfortunately. 

No longer can we assume the tap water coming into our home is safe for consumption. Harmful contaminants have been found in our drinking water and with the chemical, microbiological and physical found in the water sources today, water purification is more important than ever, as is well water treatment. 

How does a well water treatment system work?

Before buying a well water treatment system, test the water in your home. This will tell you what and how many contaminants there are if any. Clean drinking water is achieved differently with the different well water treatment options available today. There are well water treatment and filtration systems that filter heavy metals and others that filter bacteria. 

Choosing a whole-house filtration system for well water treatment is recommended, and can be any of the following: 

• Activated Carbon. This type of well water treatment will essentially filter absorbed contaminants and prevent them from passing on through the filter. This type of system will remove bacteria, ions, lead, and pesticides. 
• Resin. A resin filter well water treatment system will remove iron and has a longer lifespan than other filters and will maintain an adequate water flow.
• Reverse osmosis. By the use of pressure and a semipermeable membrane, this well water filtration system removed fluoride and heavy metals but does not remove organic contaminants or pesticides.
• Water ionizer. With an electrical charge, this type of water purification and well water treatment will filter heavy metals and pesticides. 
• UV filters. With ultraviolet light, this water filtration system kills bacteria but doesn’t remove other contaminants for drinking water.
• Infrared filters. Using heat and light, this water system softens water, ideal for well water treatment in homes with hard water. It will kill bacteria, but not other contaminants that affect drinking water, making it less than ideal for homes on well water.

Some water purification and well water treatment systems use multiple filters. Like a combination of a UV filter with an activated carbon filter. There are stages that filters use to remove contaminants to get the clean drinking water you want, too. 

What is the best treatment for well water?

Most private water wells lack any safety mechanisms that test and maintain the water for drinkability. Chemicals and other substances that are found in well water that can cause harm are: 

• Arsenic
• Fluoride
• Manganese
• Nitrates
• Sediment

The three most recommended systems for well water treatment are: 

1. Activated Carbon Filtration System: This is the most common for filtering material in residential water filters. It eliminates chlorine, lead, VOCs (volatile organic compounds),and other substances often found in well water supply. They will not remove bacteria, dissolved minerals, or nitrates.
2. Reverse Osmosis: This system forces water through a membrane that is semipermeable and separates the impurities from the purified water. This is an effective well water treatment for areas with hard water and high mineral content. It will remove nitrates and petrochemicals but does not remove chlorine, pesticides, or radon.
3. Water Softener: This will provide well water treatment for areas with hard water and a high mineral count. It can also help plumbing fixtures, pipes, and appliances by removing calcium and magnesium and replacing it with sodium. It will not remove hard metals, microorganisms, or pesticides.

What is a whole house water treatment system?

Instead of filtering water at the point of use, a whole house water treatment system is installed where the water enters the house. In this manner, it is treating all the water that comes in and not just the water where the filtration system is installed. 

How can I naturally purify my well water?

With all these high-tech ways of well water treatment and water purification, you may wonder, can well water be treated naturally?  We have to remember at one point, the world was cleaner and so was the air and water. Mankind has done a number on the Earth and its natural resources, but yes, there are natural well water treatments: 

1. Sunlight will take what looks like clean water and make it cleaner. Use a natural resource to clean a natural resource. Heat and solar radiation can destroy pathogens that cause water-borne illnesses. 

2. Boiling water is a camping classic and if you have a pot and stove, you can boil your water clean. 

3. Gravity is a viable option for filtering well water. Use a container for water to drain from as you pour it in at the top. Place layers of activated charcoal, sand, and small gravel and as the water pours through those layers, it removes the pathogens. 

What are the results of chlorine in water and health effects to humans? 

There is chlorine in the water of swimming pools. So, if you have ever swum in a swimming pool, there’s a good chance you swallowed some water. You may have felt a little sick to your stomach after a long day in the pool, but it wasn’t enough to be harmful. 

In the 1800s, it was discovered that the water people were drinking was making them sick. Cholera, dysentery, and typhoid were discovered to be waterborne diseases that were causing many of the illnesses. This is why chlorine was added to minimize the rates of those getting sick from drinking water. While the initial introduction of chlorine in water as a disinfectant did lower the rates of disease in city-dwellers safely, if it was not diluted enough, even being non-toxic, that chlorine in water had harmful effects, 

Still today, ingesting too much chlorine in the water from the tap can have several harmful health effects because of the THMs (trihalomethanes) that can occur. THMs are the results of tiny particles forming in chlorinated water, a chemical compound that causes the following: 

• Asthmatic Symptoms: Exposure to chlorine in water of swimming pools has shown an association with increased symptoms of asthma in swimmers, including swimmers that never had any indication of asthma before. Even the water you bathe in, there is chlorine in water that is absorbed into your skin and the chlorinated steam is breathed in as well, both aggravating asthmatic symptoms.
• Food Allergies: Chlorine in water has been proven to create a food allergy effect because of the dichlorophenols found in the water. Dichlorophenols are also found in pesticides. Some participants with a high level of dichlorophenols during studies were noted to have the highest amount of food allergies. The studies were performed with the dichlorophenols in pesticides, not chlorinated water, but the effects were similar.
• Congenital Abnormalities: In Taiwan, approximately 400,000 individuals were part of a study that found women exposed to trihalomethanes in the chlorine in water while pregnant at a higher rate of giving birth to children with birth defects like a cleft palate, ventricular septal defects, or a hole in the heart that affected their brain development.
• Cancer: THM products found in chlorine in water was discovered to be a potential for contracting cancer of the bladder and rectum in a 1995 study. Chlorine in water was said to have accounted for 5,000 cases of bladder cancer and 8,000 cases of rectal cancer in the United States annually. A slight connection between carcinogenesis and chlorine in water was found possible but the link wasn’t confirmed and is still being studied. 

Why use chlorine in water treatment? 

For all the bad things that chlorine in water can cause, it comes from a natural product, ordinary salt, and is an essential mineral. It has improved, even saving billions of lives. Chlorine in water is essential as a chemical building block that makes water safe for consumption. From the food and water we consume to the medications we take, even our cellphones and computers depend on chlorine. 

If not for chlorine in water, we would still have people dying from cholera, dysentery, and typhoid today. So, when we wonder, what is chlorine in water for anyway, it eliminates the algae and other aquatic life that we don’t need to consume by being added to raw water. Otherwise, the microorganisms that are healthy for human consumption can also be found in that raw water with pathogens that are not good for human consumption. 

Too much chlorine in water is determined by what methods? 

So we know simply by swimming in a pool that chlorine is needed to disinfect the water. It is also used for disinfecting emergency water supplies. Today, it is considered to still be the best and safest way to make water safe for consumption. However, as we mentioned in the beginning, too much of a good thing can be bad for you. 

This means that if there are illnesses happening in your home, then testing the amount of chlorine in water is needed. A quick and simple way is with a DPD indicator test (diethyl paraphenylene diamine) a comparator. One tablet of DPD added to a water sample will turn the water red. 

The level of the color is measured against a chart of standard colors that give us the concentration level of chlorine in water. The deeper color of red, the higher the concentration of chlorine in water.

Do we know how chlorine dissolves in water?

Chlorine in water can be removed by an activate charcoal filter. The surface of the charcoal will absorb the chlorine ions as the water runs through. 

What happens when chlorine water is exposed to sunlight?

With exposure to sunlight, chlorine in water reacts by form HCIO (hypochlorous acid) which breaks down into hydrochloric acid & oxygen gas. The result is the colorless and odorless gas of oxygen and hydrochloric acid.

How long does a carbon water filter last?

You have plenty of reasons to pay attention to the lifespan of your carbon water filter. You want to be certain the water filter you’re using is doing its job, but you don’t want to purchase a carbon filter for your water if you don’t need it. 

As a starting point to figure out how long a carbon water filter will last, look at the information provided to you by the seller. Many will give you a basic idea of its lifespan. This includes how many gallons you can expect it to filter safely and about how many months you’ll be able to use it. It’s also important to realize the lifespan of a carbon water filter will change based on the contaminants in your water. Those with poor water conditions will want to replace their water filter more often. 

What does a carbon water filter remove?

Speaking of contaminants, you may already be wondering exactly what a carbon water filter can remove. These filters are highly effective and can get rid of many common impurities found in water. This includes chlorine and chlorine by-products, which are often added to water. Carbon water filters remove various herbicides and pesticides as well for improved safety overall. On top of all this, they are highly effective at removing sediment and other particles that can be found in water. 

What happens if you don’t change a water filter?

Everybody can get a bit lazy when it comes to taking care of basic household tasks, and changing the water filter is no exception. However, it’s a good idea to set a reminder and make sure you change your water filter when it’s time. The way a carbon water filter works means it will not work as well over time. 

How does a carbon water filter work?

A carbon water filter works by pulling in a variety of contaminants. Over time, it can become filled with too many contaminants to work properly. This can keep it from working at all, which means your carbon water filter system isn’t doing its job. 

How a Carbon Water Filter Works

There is one important word to remember when it comes to how a carbon water filter works: adsorption. And no, that’s not a typo. Adsorption is a different process from absorption, forcing contaminants to cling to the filter like Velcro. 

You should also remember that different types of carbon can be used in carbon water filters. The type of carbon can make a big difference in the way a filter works. Types of carbon found in filters include: 

• Granular activated carbon 
• Carbon block
• Radial flow carbon

Is a carbon water filter safe?

Have you ever wondered whether carbon water filters are really safe to use? If so, here is one important thing to remember. Not only are carbon water filters completely safe to use, they can also make your water much healthier overall. While they remove common impurities, they won’t remove important minerals such as calcium and magnesium. 

Will a carbon water filter remove lead?

Unfortunately, lead is still a common concern when it comes to the safety of the water we use. It is just one of the reasons so many people now use carbon water filters in their homes. However,  not all carbon water filters remove lead. Only carbon water filters made with the right type of carbon in the right amount can help ensure your water is entirely lead-free. 

Can a carbon water filter be cleaned?

One of the great things about carbon is how durable it is. This durability means you can easily clean a carbon water filter if needed. To do so, simply turn off the water filter system and remove the water filter from its housing. After that, soak it in distilled water for about a half-hour, shake off any debris on the filter, and give it a good rinse and wipe it down. It can then be put back into place without any need for drying. However, remember that even with cleaning, a carbon water filter will not work as well over time. You should only clean a water filter two or three times before replacing it. 

A whole house water treatment system, often referred to as the point-of-entry tap. This system is installed at the main water line before it enters your home. From there, the water filtration system benefits are numerous. Take a look what a whole house water treatment system can offer your family: 

1. Constant safer drinking water. With a whole house water treatment system, you can be sure that the water coming into your home will be healthier and safer tap water and  even better than bottled water. Unfiltered water from treatment centers still has a level of lead in addition to the chemicals they add like chlorine and fluoride. A whole house water treatment system will remove those things and more than 2,000 other impurities and toxins
2. Environmentally Friendly. A whole house water treatment system  will eliminate your share of the fifty billon plastic water bottles that ended un in American landfills last year. Did you know it takes up to 450 years for a plastic water bottle to disintegrate? 
3. Minimize skin conditions. A whole house water treatment system  will remove things like chlorine, fluoride, and other heavy metal substances are known to aggravate eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.  
4. Save money. For a household that keeps bottled water around, having a whole house water treatment system will save you big money. With a household of 4 drinking 3 bottles of water each day, you’re spending at least $700 a year in bottled water. A whole house water treatment system can cost your up to $500 and nothing more other than replacing the filter every so often, usually less than $50, and your usual water bill. 
5. Minimize plumbing repair bills. With a whole house water treatment system , your plumbing bills will be minimized because the things that damage plumbing will be filtered out. Those chemicals, heavy metals, and minerals that aren’t good for you, aren’t good for the plumbing system in your home either. Think beyond the faucet and consider the damage happening to your dish washer, ice maker, washing machine, even the garbage disposal. 
6. Disaster preparedness.  When the city or county has sewer lines bursting, it leaves your plumbing vulnerable for contamination. However, with a whole house water treatment system, your water is protected! 
7. Soap saver. An whole house water treatment system does much of the same things that a water softener does, so you won’t need to double up on the soap for baths, cleaning, or laundry. The minerals that will make water hard is prevented by a whole house water treatment system. 
8. Better tasting drinking water. A whole house water treatment system will remove elements that is causing your drinking water to smell bad and taste bad. The bacteria, chlorine, and lead are removed, giving you healthy, purified, safe water with lower pH levels. 
9. Gastrointestinal disease risk reduced. There are many parasites found in unfiltered water along with many microscopic organisms. With a whole house water treatment system, those things are removed and minimizes the possibilities of your family suffering with aggravated  digestive and  intestinal problems.
10. Remove deposits of soap scum from clothes. With a whole house water treatment system , the chemicals in your tap water that leave soap scum deposits and residue are gone. This eliminates the possibilities of allergies and  rashes forming. 

Do whole home water filters work, and what is the best water filtration system?

A whole house water treatment system can come in an assortment of filter media. Choosing from the carbon filter, the reverse osmosis, or the advanced next-generation filter technology.  The carbon-based, 3 stage whole house water treatment system  is the most economical choice from the point of purchase to the maintenance factor. 

Most carbon-based whole house water treatment system can be found for under $800, and you’ll get up to 300,000 gallons from it before the main tank should be replaced. This will give a household of 4 about 3 year of use before the replacement.  

What’s the difference between a water softener and water filtration system?

The difference between water filtration system vs water softener is what they do.  The water filter system is going to remove contaminants from the water coming you’re your home, giving you safer water to consume. A  water softener will remove the minerals that cause water to be hard and leave scales and scum behind. from the water that causes hardness and scale.

• Agricultural operations – this includes farm/ranch animal waste
• Domestic pets and urban wildlife
• Waterfowl
• Failed sewage system – human sewage and wastewater gets in a cross-connection
• Landscaping chemicals

What type of bacteria is found in water?

Without us being aware, our drinking water is likely contaminated by millions of hidden creatures, aka, bacteria. While there is some harmless and useful bacteria, there is also bad bacteria and that is why we have water treatment plants and process.

Bacteria are a natural element of water that is single-celled organisms, 7 of which we should be concerned with being in our drinking water:

• E. Coli: E. Coli scientific name is Escherichia Coli is one bacteria found in water that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting if consumed.
• Campylobacter Jejuni: This bacteria can cause infections that have cramping, diarrhea, and fever as symptoms along with general stomach pain.
• Hepatitis A: This serious infection is identified with symptoms of fatigue, fever, jaundice, stomach pain, and dark urine.
• Giardia Lamblia: This parasite giardiasis, an infection that creates symptoms of cramps, diarrhea, gas, and nausea.
• Salmonella: This bacteria is symptomized by chills, diarrhea, fever, headache, and pain. It can also be found in food as well as water.
• Legionella Pneumophila: Commonly known as Legionnaires Disease, this serious bacteria has symptoms of cough, fever, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.  Persons that contract this bacteria are typically hospitalized and some cases of death.
• Cryptosporidium: This protozoan is similar to a parasite and painful, severe diarrhea and has been found in clean city water as well as well water.

Is bacteria in water good?

A Swedish research found that all around the worlds, water from pipes, plumbing, and taps had bacteria and biofilms. Ten million bacteria to be more accurate, and that is perfectly fine and safe because they are harmless bacteria according to those researchers.

These bacteria, along with microbes grow inside water treatment plant. They also grow inside of our water pipes, which is visible and identified by the sticky, thin coating referred to as biofilm. That biofilm covers all the surfaces inside the raw water intake that flows to the tap.

There is a large diversity with the bacteria according to the researcher’s findings in water pipes. It is believed that bacteria could have a more important role than has been believed to date. In fact, these same researchers believe that there is a large purification process in our water pipes after the water treatment and before it comes out the faucet.

 What are some harmful bacteria in water?

Of the 7 bacteria we mentioned earlier, the following 6 bacteria water effects are the most recognized for causing illness and hospitalization, in some cases, death.

• Campylobacter.
• Clostridium perfringens.
• E. coli.
• Listeria.
• Norovirus.
• Salmonella.