5
ECOWATER
S
Y
S
T
E
M
S
Water, and Water Conditioning
❹
Colloidal and inorganically bound iron is a ferric or
ferrous form that will not filter or exchange out of wa-
ter. In some instances, treatment may improve col-
loidal iron water, but always
consult a qualified wa-
ter chemistry lab
before attempting to treat it.
Colloidal iron water usually has a yellow appearance
when drawn. After standing for several hours, the
color persists and the iron does not settle, but re-
mains suspended in the water.
Iron in water causes stains on clothing and plumbing
fixtures. It negatively affects the taste of food, drink-
ing water, and other beverages.
(3)
ACIDITY
or acid water is caused by carbon diox-
ide, hydrogen sulfide, and sometimes industrial
wastes. It is corrosive to plumbing, plumbing fix-
tures, water heaters, and other water using ap-
pliances. In can also damage and cause premature
failure of seals, diaphragms, etc., in water handling
equipment.
A chemical analysis is needed to measure the de-
gree of acidity in water. This is called the pH of water.
Water testing below 6.9 pH is acidic. The lower the
pH reading, the greater the acidity. A neutralizer filter
or a chemical feed pump are usually recommended
to treat acid water.
(4)
SEDIMENT
is fine, foreign material particles sus-
pended in water. This material is most often clay or
silt. Extreme amounts of sediment may give the wa-
ter a cloudy appearance. A sediment filter normally
corrects this condition.
COMPLETE WATER CONDITIONING SYSTEM -- Seldom would all the water conditioners shown below be
needed on one water supply. The drawing does show the proper sequence location of each conditioner. Note
that only a taste and odor filter is installed after a water softener. All other filters belong before the water soften-
er. Also note that outside faucet lines are before the treated water, and the water heater is after all condition-
ing.
NOTE: FOR CLARITY OF THIS DRAWING, NOT ALL WATER CONDITIONERS ARE ILLUSTRATED
(REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS, DISTILLERS, ETC.).
Figure 1