Water treatment – Problems and solutions
Problems :
Color
Certain elements are responsible for the color : iron creates an orange color, tannins create a yellowish tea color and sulphur creates a gray color and a foul smell.
Solutions :
Taste
Many elements can influence the taste of water. The presence of iron and manganese in the water as well as acid water flowing in copper pipes can all give water a metallic taste. Water from municipal water treatment systems can leave a chlorine taste. Each taste has its solution.
Solutions :
Odor
The presence of sulphur is the most common reason water can have an odour. Sulphur produces a smell of rotten eggs that is stronger in hot water then in cold water.
Solutions :
- Sulphur
Catalyst filter
- Odour in the hot water tank Remove the magnesium shaft in the hot water tank
Stains
Iron and manganese are responsible for the orange and brown stains found in plumbing accessories and clothes. White stains on glass and utensils are the result of water hardness.
Solutions :
Premature use of pipes and plumbing accessories
Aggressive water is mostly responsible for premature use of pipes and plumbing accessories. Water hardness is due to low levels of alkaline, hardness and pH. Great quantities of chlorine or salt can also cause premature use.
Solutions :
Bacteria
Bacterial contamination occurs mostly with surface water (shallow well, lake, stream and water sources). Dead animals in wells, septic systems and the landscape near the wells are the cause of most bacterial contaminations.
Solutions:
Blue algae (Cyanobacteria)
Following last years important cyanobacteria outbreak, we began looking for ways to treat blue algae and its toxins. We found that reverse osmosis and active carbon filtration were possible solutions.
However, a series of other treatments must be added to render these two treatments effective.
First, we must eliminate the cyanobacteria without killing it to avoid a release of its toxins. Since we know the size of the cyanobacteria is 1 micron, we can use ultrafiltration because it can filter particles as small as 0,02 microns. Next, we have to contain any released toxins. To reduce their concentration, we use reverse osmosis or active coal filtration.
Certain conditions must apply if the treatment against cyanobacteria and their toxins can effectively work and guarantee drinking water at the end of the process. For example, the contaminated water must be in contact with the charcoal for at least 10 minutes. This means at least 13 cubic feet of carbon for a rate of flow of 10 gallons a minute. Other elements must be considered. Please contacts us for more information. We can offer you an efficient solution to this problem.