Methods of Water Treatment

This web page provides a description of the most often used methods of water treatment and conditioning. It is not meant to be an exhaustive reference on the subject nor a technical reference, but provide the conumer a brief but concise overview of each method.

    Water Softening

Water Softening is used to remove the minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese) which cause water to be "hard". These minerals are cations or positively charged ions. All of these minerals do not necessarily appear in a hard water sample. The process most often used to soften water is ion exchange. Basically, as water flows through the softener tank which contains resin beads specifically designed (permanently negative charges) to remove hardness, the hardness mineral ions attach themselves to the resin and sodium ions are released in exchange. Periodically, the ion exchange process must be reversed to "regenerate" the softening resin so that the softener continues to operate effectively and efficiently. The installer programs the softener to regenerate automatically. The frequency of regeneration is determined based upon water usage, family size, iron content, hardness content, and other water chemistry variables. Water softener systems commonly installed to correct this condition are listed on our Products web page.

    Acid Neutralizers

Acid Neutralizers are used to raise the pH of an acidic water to a neutral or slightly basic (or alkaline) level. This is accomplished by the dissolution of a combination of neutralizing minerals as the water flows through the neutralizer tank. The exact mixture and combination of minerals is determined by the pH of the feed water and certain other water characteristics. Periodically, the mineral bed must be replenished. The frequency of replenishing the media bed is determined by family size, water usage, and the pH of the feed water. The neutralizer is backwashed regularly (usually every other night) to remove particles the media has filtered and to prevent the formation of channels in the neutralizing media. Backwashing is automatic and is usually scheduled for midnight.  Acid neutralization systems commonly installed to correct this condition are listed on our Products web page.

    Granular Activated Carbon Filtration Systems

Granular Activated Carbon Filtration Systems are used in a number of different applications. In some cases where the water is extremely hard or particles are visible to the naked eye, Granular Activated Carbon is used as a prefilter for a water softener. Granular Activated Carbon is also used to remove rust (also called precipitated iron), offensive tastes, and odors. Odors which are not caused by bacterial or microbial contamination are effectively removed with Granular Activated Carbon. Excessive concentrations of chlorine are very effectively removed either at the point of entry or the point of use. This filter media is periodically backwashed to freshen the filtration bed and remove filtered particles. Backwashing frequency is determined by family size, filter application, water usage, and certain other water characteristics. Systems utilizing Granular Activated Carbon Primary Filtration are listed on our Products web page.

    Reverse Osmosis Purification Systems

The Reverse Osmosis Purification System is a 4 stage process which results in a product water which is essentially pure. The first stage is a sediment filter which removes particles as small as 5 microns. The second stage is carbon filtration which removes even smaller particles, chlorine, and trihalomethanes (chlorine by-products) if present. The third stage is the reverse osmosis membrane. We use only thin film composite membranes because of their superior performance characteristics. Unlike filters which trap or filter out contaminants, reverse osmosis membranes reject contaminants which go to drain. Only pure water passes through the membrane after which it is stored in a storage tank. Before this pure water is used, it is passed through the fourth stage which is carbon filtration. The carbon post filter polishes the water. Purified water should be used for drinking, cooking, and ice-making purposes. The water we put in our bodies should be the best water possible. The old saying goes that, "we are what we eat." The human body is over 70% water. To an even greater extent, we are what we drink!  One of the reverse osmosis units we commonly install is the Hydrotech Reverse Osmosis Purification System listed in our Products web page.

    Activated Carbon Filtration and Lead Removal Combination

Most municipal water in our area is of an acceptable quality for utility purposes. All municipal water supplies in our area contain chlorine. We use activated carbon and lead removal in combination to provide a product water which is free of chlorine and its by-products. These processes make our local municipally supplied waters an economical and safe alternative to bottled water. One of the units we commonly install to correct this condition is the Oasis Filtration Cooler listed in our Products web page.

    Ultraviolet Disinfection

Ultraviolet Disinfection Systems utilize ultraviolet light for bacteria reduction and do not require the addition of any chemicals. It is virtually impossible to over-treat water with ultraviolet light. The major benefits of disinfection with ultraviolet light include low equipment maintenance, ease of installation, and no change in the taste of the water after treatment. Ultraviolet light energy is germicidal. Water is passed through a stainless steel chamber where it is exposed to the light. The light penetrates bacteria's cytoplasmic membrane (protective layer) and attacks the organisms' DNA. As the DNA is damaged, its self-reproducing ability is disabled and the cell is rendered lifeless. Units we commonly install for disinfection are listed in the Ultraviolet Disinfection Systems  section of our Products web page,