Water Issues
Water Issues
(OP)
Hi guys-
I hope this doesn't get red-flagged.
I am looking for some help with a water issue at home. We have well-water and it is VERY hard. It has a decent amount of manganese and leaves stains (that can be difficult to clean) on a lot of surfaces.
There is a water softener that was in place when we bought the house (2 years ago), but I don't think it works well and is pretty old. We would like to upgrade, but I wanted to get some opinions on water softeners before I invest a decent amount of money in one.
Can I get some educated opinions?
I hope this doesn't get red-flagged.
I am looking for some help with a water issue at home. We have well-water and it is VERY hard. It has a decent amount of manganese and leaves stains (that can be difficult to clean) on a lot of surfaces.
There is a water softener that was in place when we bought the house (2 years ago), but I don't think it works well and is pretty old. We would like to upgrade, but I wanted to get some opinions on water softeners before I invest a decent amount of money in one.
Can I get some educated opinions?





RE: Water Issues
Unfortunately, there are a lot of shady characters selling consumer products such as windows, siding, water softeners, etc. As an example, the outfit that provides the free water analysis at home depot desires to sell you a $500 water softener for $6,000 (including 6 years of free soap).
You will need to locate a reliable seller who sells at a reasonable price. Sears was the leading seller of water softeners for years. Most of the water softeners are using the same technology, so don't be misled by bogus misrepresentations and overpay.
RE: Water Issues
Do you have any recommendations for a good brand?
RE: Water Issues
RE: Water Issues
salt
salt-free
reverse osmosis
magnetics
It seems like the salt-free is the way to go. Is this the technology that is most common?
RE: Water Issues
RE: Water Issues
salt
salt-free
reverse osmosis
magnetics"
The "salt" type is a conventional water softener.
The "salt-free" type is a quack device and does not work. Total waste of money.
The "reverse osmosis" type is a convential RO unit, and works great, however, it is much more expensive and has a lower capacity. It is more commonly used for residential drinking water only.
The "magnetics" type is a quack device and does not work. Total waste of money. Probably the same device as the salt-free.
Don't waste your time with the quack devices.
RE: Water Issues
The couple websites I found said that the salt ones are outdated and cause deposits of another mineral in pipes. Maybe I just happened to find the ones that are biased.
RE: Water Issues
Here is a primer on residential water treatment:
http://www
Sears is a major seller of water softeners.
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RE: Water Issues
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RE: Water Issues
If you're not on city water, are you on city sewer? If not, does your township have any say? If you're on a septic tank you may just have the state to please after convincing local building & codes that you have the right size tank and leach field.
RE: Water Issues
RE: Water Issues
The first thing that you need to do is get a complete water analysis. Do you have this?
Also, have you discussed this water quality problem with the water well supplier? The water well supplier is a great source for information.
By the way, what type of well do you have?
RE: Water Issues
What type of well do I have? I have no idea, I didn't even know there were different types.
RE: Water Issues
You may be able to have the well water quality improved if you go drill deeper, screen a different aquifer, etc. You need to talk to a local well driller for options.
If you post the water analysis, one would be able to propose treatment options.
What are you using this water for? RO is usually used for drinking water only, but if the water is so bad, RO can be used for whole house.
I would also add that some appliances (high end) actually include the water softener in the appliance. Some dishwashers for example. So if you were interested in just washing dishes, you could go with a different brand of dishwasher.
RE: Water Issues
I have a resin ion exchange column that uses salt to wash the resin beads. I am quite happy with it.
Some of your posts raise other issues. First, I am assuming you mean municipal sanitary sewer not septic system. Maybe I'm wrong.
I am speaking from Colorado having experience as a county engineer. I don't know you location but, being on a well often reqiures permiting (always in CO). This permit outlines allowable uses and may require recharging of ground water not discharge to municipal sanitary sewer.
Additionally, if you have proximity to municiapl sanitary sewer, municipalities often will not allow you to maintain individual septic systems.
I would call the township's engineer to discuss your issues. Your money may be best spent hooking to municipal water if it is available.
RE: Water Issues
My understanding is that I could hook back up to my septic, if desired, as not everyone in my development is hooked up to the municipal sewer.
Here's part of the dilemna (please correct me if I'm wrong):
to be hooked up to municipal sewer means no salt softener, but if I hook back up to my septic then the backwashing of the softener could cause problems for my septic. Is that correct? That's what I've ben told by septic guys (of course they're just the guys cleaning it out).
RE: Water Issues
RE: Water Issues
http://www.wqa.org/sitelogic.cfm?ID=363
This conclusion is supported by the Ten States' "Recommended Standards for Individual Sewage Systems" The states have concluded that even in Montmorillinite clay soils, "the disposal of brine wastes from water softening equipment does not have a significant effect upon the permeability of soils suitable for soil absorption systems."
RE: Water Issues
I didn't mean that the salt harmed septic systems, but that the constant backwashing of the system could harm the septic system by dumping too much water into it at once. This is why we were told to space out our loads of laundry if using the on-site septic system.
RE: Water Issues
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RE: Water Issues
http://www.wqa.org/sitelogic.cfm?ID=363
RE: Water Issues
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RE: Water Issues
If the township doesn't buy that argument, see if their objection is based upon the use of sodium chloride (NaCL) salt. There is an "environmentally friendlier" type of salt on the market that is potassium chloride (KCL). It is manufactured by Vigoro, the fertilizer people, and it will not harm plants like sodium chloride will. Potassium chloride laiden wastewater can be sprayed on grass for disposal by irrigation. The downside to KCL is that it may not be as readily available in stores like NaCL. So, you might have to store up a lot of it.
If you decide to go in the direction of membranes, try not to use a reverse osmosis (RO) system because they are subject to fouling with scale from the hardness in the water and the manganese. Instead, look into using a nanofiltration (NF)membrane system. Nanofiltration is also known as "low-pressure membrane softening". The NF system reduces hardness and sulfates, but allows other dissolved minerals to pass through so the finished water is not overly purified as far as drinking water standards are concerned.
S. Bush
www.water-eg.com