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What is water treatment with ozone? 

Ozone water treatment reduces the number of contaminants through oxidative strength, meaning it accepts the electrons of those contaminants. For instance, when iron becomes oxidized, it rusts. Water treatment with ozone creates an ozone generator, begins oxidizing the contaminants of that rust, and eliminates it from the water. 

Why is water treatment needed?

The importance of water treatment is a matter of life and death when consumed and used by humans. Water treatment is needed to bring the water quality up to minimum criteria to remove the five contaminants considered most harmful: 

• Bacteria
• Chemicals
• Minerals
• Particulates
• Pharmaceuticals

This is done with various water treatment methods and through the use of technology, such as water treatment with ozone. 

What is water treatment technology?

One or a combination of the following water treatment technologies is used today in removing these harmful substances and making water safe for human consumption: 

• Sedimentation: This water treatment technology allows suspended material like clay, silt, and other particles to coagulate and decrease the pace of water so these materials are no longer found in the water. 

• Filtration: This water treatment technology separates fluid, gases, and liquids from solids with a medium that only allows fluid to pass. This removes any undesirable constituents by absorbing them with a film that has grown in or on the medium. 

• Chemical: Chlorination and flocculation processes are used with electromagnetic radiation and UV lights for getting rid of contaminants.

• Oxidation: This water treatment process removes organic contamination through biological processes. A range of reactive oxygen species make this happen through the use of electrical power, UV radiation, or solar light. This is the most expensive of all methods and technologies. 

Is ozone treatment safe?

For more than a century, ozone has been used and intensely studied. The results have been consistent, safe, and proven effective. Side effects have been minimal and have been found to be preventable. Ozone treatment is used in the medical industry for disinfection as well as treating diseases. 

When professionals know how to treat water with ozone, then yes, water treatment with ozone for home use is safe and beneficial, especially for anyone on a well system. It kills unwanted bacteria and eliminates odors while manganese and iron are oxidized. 

On the other side of water treatment with ozone, it is corrosive; therefore, it is advisable to have a corrosion-proof tank if you use water treatment with ozone. In a home with galvanized pipes, copper pipes, and pups, the ozone can corrode the elements. 

Does ozone treatment really work?

Yes – research has shown that water treatment with Ozone controls odor and, in some cases, can eliminate odor as well as color and bad taste. It does this by oxidizing iron and manganese into solid particles before filtering these elements out of the water. In fact, research found that water treatment with ozone was more successful than water treated with chlorine or ultra-violet disinfection for eliminating Cryptosporidium parvum Giardia lamblia. 

In Closing

Internal water treatment is the process of ridding water of the impurities found within a boiler system. Any consequences occur within the feed lines or in the boiler proper. Internal water treatment can be used by itself or jointly with external water treatment. 

While we should have confidence and trust in the county, city, or state officials in charge of our drinking water, it can be wise to take steps to further treat water before it comes into our homes. While water treatment with ozone is expensive, and often beyond the normal household budget, the water treatment industry is researching ways for this process to become less expensive and still be effective. Until then, water treatment with chlorination is still the most affordable and desirable water treatment method we have available today. 

More than ever before, treating our drinking water is important to the health of our families. It is wise to remember that contaminants in untreated water are not visible to the naked eye. Those contaminants can include: 

• Animal Waste
• Bacteria
• Fertilizers
• Heavy Metals
• Human Waste
• Parasite
• Pesticides
• Viruses

Human consumption of these contaminants in water can cause problems like cramps, diarrhea, pneumonia, and vomiting. Because these symptoms can also occur during the course of basic illnesses such as the flu or food poisoning, it is often difficult to isolate the problem to one’s water. It can take several rounds of illness by one or more household members before a medical professional can isolate a problem to one’s water. For more information, including learning about water treatment with ozone in Aledo and Fort Worth, TX, contact the Elder's Pure Water team by calling 817-901-7775 today. 

Main nutrient sources of these nutrients is from agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, industrial effluents, and burning fossil fuel atmospheric effect. In particularly susceptible are lakes and reservoirs to negative impacts from eutrophication and its complex dynamics. 

The importance of having water that is clean and readily available is for the public’s health. This is water that is to be used for domestic use,  drinking, food production and recreational purposes. 

When contaminated water is allowed to get into the main water system, from poor sanitation or other reasons listed in this article, it has been proven likelihood of disease are transported like:  

• Cholera
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid 
• Polio

This happens when there is an absence, inadequate, an inappropriate water management. 

What factors determine water quality?

To determine water quality, scientists measure the following properties, with each uncovering something distinct about the water body’s heath:  

• Temperature
• Acidity (pH)
• Dissolved solids
• Particulate matter
• Dissolved oxygen
• Hardness and suspended sediment

Samples are taken from the water that close point by measuring for acidity, color, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. These testing measures allow a water utility operator the water sources condition with a basic and general interpretation of the source’s conditions.

The samples are taken from Biota, or bottom sediment, and suspended materials. The samples are then taken to a laboratory  for chemical, microbiological, and physical analyses. Here, the concentrations of any metals, nutrients, pesticides, along with other substances.

Water quality is can also be done with biological testing that will determine if the sediment, or the water, is toxic. This type of testing can be done at the lake or stream where the water is pulled from or in a laboratory. 

Water quality is typically determined by testing for bacteria, germs, and other factors that can make water dangerous for animal and human consumption. We don’t realize the amount of and the type of substances that are in the air that affect rainfall which replenishes our water sources. 

Dust, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, other natural and volcanic gases, sulfur dioxide, toxic chemicals, and lead dissolve or become entrapped in rain. As that rain makes its way to the ground surface, the runoff then flows over the rocks, through the soil, dissolving other substances, and it all flows or seeps into the water. 

There are substances that farming, industrial, landscaping, and mining use that is left on the ground, washed over with the rain and into our water sources. Not all that is washed into our water sources are manmade though. There are large amounts soluble substances naturally too. 

Substances like limestone that has a high concentrations of calcium carbonate and other rock with high levels of ore bodies and other metals are seeping and washing into our water sources. 

It is because of these factors that the importance of water quality and treatment for public consumption can be recognized as an important thing in human survival. Unfortunately, there are many parts of the world that do not have the testing and purification processes. Even here in the United States, there are pockets where the testing is compromised for industrial gain. 

Even after the official testing as required by the EPA is completed, the water will still have contaminants collected between the testing and purification to the faucets in our homes. It is because of that small degree of uncertainty, water filtration for the home is recommended for improved water quality. Call 817-901-7775 today for your water quality testing needs in Aledo and Fort Worth, TX. 

Absorption is the key to how carbon filtration systems work. The carbon is like a sponge and absorbs the particles that make water taste funny and have an unpleasant odor. As the organic compounds stick to a carbon filter’s large and porous surface, the contaminants attract like contaminants. 

We can consider carbon filters a parking lot for contaminants, yet the clean water flows through pores that are smaller than microns. Because of these tiny microns in a carbon filtration system the flow rate is slow, giving the water more time to park the contaminants, letting through only cleaner water. 

Do carbon filters remove bacteria?

No.  A carbon filtration system only removes naturally occurring odor and tastes from water. For bacteria and chemicals to be removed, you would need a distiller system or a reverse osmosis system. 

The easiest way for bacteria to be removed from water, while disinfecting it is using chlorination or ultraviolet radiation. Because biocides are removed by some water filtering system, bacteria often reappears and keeps growing. Filtered water must stored in a cook, dark place in a sterile container to keep this from occurring. 

The filter pads in some water filters permit bacteria to proliferate in large amounts if regular maintenance isn’t practiced. This means that in many domestic household water filter systems, or ultraviolet treatment systems isn’t making water safer when it comes to amoeba. 

Will charcoal filters remove viruses?

A carbon filtration system with a charcoal filter can remove contaminants that cause bad odors and tastes from your everyday tap water. The carbon in these filtration system reduces 100s of contaminants and chemicals, like: 

• The by-products of chlorine and all 32 organic contaminants 
• Nitrates, pesticides, glyphosate, and all 14 listed 
• the 12 of the most common herbicides. 
•  

Other specific chemicals and contaminants a carbon filtration system with a charcoal filter removes are: 

• Chlorine 
• Chlorine bi-products
• Chloride (Cl-)
• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Nitrate (NO32-)
• PFOS
• Phosphate (PO43-)
• Lithium (Li+)
• Pharmaceuticals
• Microplastics

How long does a carbon water filter last?

Activated carbon filtration system will keep effectively removing chlorine odor and taste, making your water safer to consume, for up to six months. Between 4 and 6 months, the filter should be changed so that some contaminants that were adsorbed, and other contaminants can’t be released into your water. 

Can I wash my carbon filter?

Charcoal carbon filtration systems absorb chemicals, debris, and particles that make water smell and taste bad. A charcoal filter isn’t meant to be use for long terms and  should be replaced not washed and reused. After the pores of the filter have absorbed these pollutants, the air and water flow is blocked. There is not cleaning that will unblock them 100%. 

If you’re concerned with the quality of the water in your home, do a Google search for “professional installation of carbon filter near me”.  The professionals of water filtration will test your water and determine what you need the most for the best results. Having clean, healthy, safe drinking water is important to the well-being of your family and shouldn’t be overlooked, depending on the powers that be to supply that water. Call 817-901-7775 today for carbon filtration and water purification in Aledo and Fort Worth, TX.

Following we have several questions about well water, water well and treatment, mostly about safety concerns. At the end of this article, there should be a better understanding of well water and how important well water treatment is for everyday use. 

Is it safe to drink well water?

When your home has a private water well, treatment of the water for quality and safety are your responsibility. No matter what type of well water treatment you have, it will smell and taste different than water that cities provide their residents because of how it is processed and treated. 

Bathing, cleaning, and laundry can be affected differently when using well water versus city water. Being on well water isn’t as rare as many of us thing. There are over fifteen million homes in the United States on well water, treatment is done to keep make it safe for consumption and use. 

What are the benefits of well water?

Water wells are created by drilling a deep hole in the ground so that a pump can access an underground aquifer and send that water to your house. Once that water reaches your home you can expect two major benefits from well water: 

• No Water Bill: Because you are pulling the water your home is using from the ground through a private well, the only monthly bill you’ll see is the electric bill for the pump’s power. 
• Fresher Water: Well water comes through an underground aquifer, making it cleaner than the water that comes from run-offs or surface water. It has more healthy minerals and nutrients that are good for adults and children, and the mineral content makes the water taste better. 
• Protection: Well water is protected from most contamination possibilities  during natural disasters like floods. Or when the city’s water supply is disrupted, a water well is immune to those issues. 

There are some concerns about well water, well justified, but with regularly testing and proper well water treatment, those concerns are eliminated. Because it is private well water, treatment for things like bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals, and parasites needs to be performed on a strict routine. With that routine in place, and the addition of a whole house water filter, your well water will be just a healthy as city water, but fresher! 

Can you drink boiled well water?

While the water supply here in the United States is one of the safest in the world, various sources where water is pulled from can become contaminated. Arsenic along with other chemicals and minerals can make our water unsafe, especially well water. Treatment of city water versus well water is different, and with well water being the responsibility of the home and property owner, may not be treated as recommended. 

Because we cannot see those harmful bacteria, contaminates, and parasites with our eyes, we can’t see if the water is unsafe.  If you are unsure about whether well water treatment has been done or not, it is wise to take precautions. Boiling well water, even tap water, is a sure method to kill any possible disease-causing bacteria, parasites, viruses, or other organisms.

Can your well water make you sick?

Absolutely! However, tap water can make you sick too if treatment has been jeopardized. There is  well water treatment for bacteria and other contaminates like E-coli and other microorganisms that are known to cause disease and illness.  If you or anyone in your household is feeling any of the following symptoms, contact a water well company to test your water: 

• flu-like symptoms  
• fever 
• abdominal pain like cramps
• diarrhea and/or nausea 
• fatigue and loss of energy 

Sadly, these can be symptoms to many things, but with medical attention to check the symptoms, it can be narrowed down. Regardless of what the result of medical testing show, it is recommended to have your well water treatment reviewed and the water itself tested by a professional to assure there is nothing in the well water contributing to these issues. 

What is the best carbon water filter?

The following is a list of carbon water filtration, each being classified as best in a certain class and based on independent research by individuals.  Each family and individual may have different views of these suggested models and may find some that are not on this list to be the “best”. 

• Overall Best:  APEC Water Systems ROES-50, removes up to 1,000 contaminants.  
• Best Attachment to Faucet:  PUR Faucet Water Filtration System is easy to mount with no tools required and removes several contaminants. 
• Best Whole-House:  Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System gives your fresh water from every faucet, including the shower and tub. 
• Best Small Size Pitcher:  ZeroWater 6-Cup Water Filter Pitcher holds six cups and fits in the frig without taking up a lot of space. 
• Best Large Size Pitcher:  Brita 12-Cup Stream Filter Pitcher filters while you’re pouring so you don’t have to wait for it to give you clear water that tastes good. 
• Best Portable:  LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle has a silicone that is comfortable on the mount and the bottle is leakproof.

It is recommended and worthwhile to take the time to research these units more in depth along with others you may find. Ask questions and use the internet as a source of information.

Does carbon kill beneficial bacteria?

No, the activate carbon filter in a carbon water filtration will trap good bacteria, but not kill it. GAC (granular activated carbon) will absorb chemicals, organic and inorganic, to purify water. This process will improve the odor and taste.  by adsorbing organic and inorganic chemicals, making the odor and taste better. Nonpathogenic bacteria readily colonizes GAC and GAC has proven to be better after it has removed chemical disinfection.

Do charcoal sticks really filter water?

Charcoal sticks do more than that!  The benefits to your health are almost endless when it comes to Activated Charcoal, and the bottled water industry has picked up on that too. Today, bottled water infused with activate charcoal stick is the “hot” thing in well-being industry. 

Using charcoal for health and wellbeing isn’t new though. Since the 17^th century, the Japanese have been using it. They discovered it is effective in removing impurities, as good as chlorine does. The technical term for activated charcoal sticks, binchotan charcoal, including the charcoal in your carbon water filtration system.  This porous surface attracts contaminant in tap water, holding them in the carbon surface. 

Cities and states are required by law to treat the water that goes into businesses and residents homes. That treatment has to meet certain criteria and cities are required to test their water on a regular basis and submit the report to the state. 

However, if the water doesn’t meet your personal liking or standards, it may still smell or taste funny, you should invest a quality carbon filtration in water treatment process for your home. This is especially recommended for homes with small children as the contaminants safe for adults are not for children. Need water filtration for your home in Aledo and Fort Worth, TX? Call 817-901-7775 today.

How long do water storage tanks last?

Are you setting up a water tank storage for that garden you started for those times  when there isn’t any rain? Or is this water storage tank for emergency human and animal consumption in case your current water source is cut off? These are things that can decide what type of water tank you need and then how long it will last is the next concern. 

Annual maintenance is needed for any type of water storage tank and pump to keep it in proper condition and the water safe. If your water storage tank has a rubber bladder and pump inside, the air pressure has to be correct or the pump will short cycle, meaning it will repeatedly start and stop, then burn out. 

Additionally, when the inside air pressure is inadequate, the water tank bladder will be stretched in directions and manners that it isn’t designed to stretch, causing it to tear. Once the bladder is torn, the water storage tank isn’t any good. 

It is those two reasons why a regular routine of maintaining your water storage tank is so important. With proper maintenance, a water storage tank will last twenty years or more. How and what maintenance does water tank storage need, and how often should water storage tanks be cleaned?

Your water storage tank should be considered an important investment, this means taking care of the unit so that you have healthy, safe, potable water if and when the time comes that you need to use the contents. To ensure that the water inside your water tank storage is safe, care, inspection, and maintenance are essential. By following these four steps, you can be sure that the water inside your water storage tank is ready to use: 

A Maintenance Plan: Before purchasing your water storage tank, you need to review the different features and options available and choose the one that is right for your needs. These are things that will determine what type of maintenance is required to keep the tank clean. For example, if you choose a plastic water storage tank, it needs to be kept out of direct sun.  Sunlight promotes algae growth which can be detrimental to animals and humans. A plastic water storage tank should be made of complete block out color to eliminate penetration of the sun.

Filter the Water: The water needs to be filtered before going into the water storage tank, especially where rainwater collection is concerned. A diverter is recommended as well for water that passes through downspouts as rainwater washes off contaminants and dirt from the roof. A water tank storage should include a screen that filters debris like leaves, sticks, etc. and keep the screen clean and clear so the opening doesn’t become clogged from the debris it collects. 

Routine Regular Maintenance: Proper routine maintenance will ensure the water inside the water storage tank is safe from contamination. Some items included in this routine maintenance are: 

• Make sure water storage tank is always covered with a tight fit that keeps animals, debris, insects, organic waste, and sunlight out. 
• Clean and remove debris regularly, checking for any damage and make repairs or replacement of all the screens.
• Keep the gutters and roof clean, keep tree branches trimmed back from the roof to keep animals off. 
• Clean and remove any sediment and sludge on the water storage tank bottom once a year. 
• Test the water inside the water storage tank tested for purity. You can hire a professional to perform the test or purchase a DIY test kit.

Clean and Disinfect:  Your water storage tank should be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly annually. The size of the tank and how accessible will determine the process and steps to do this, but the process will typically include using  water storage tank cleaner that you can purchase or create your own with a bleach and water mixture. This will kill any bacteria and remove any debris.

Two times a year, it is recommended to sanitized sanitize the water so that contamination is inhibited. This can be done by pouring one of water bleach mixed with water for every 500 gallons of stored water into the fill pipe. This regular maintenance routine and schedule will properly protect  your water storage tank, minimizing any contamination chances so that you have a safe water for your family’s usage. 

How do you kill bacteria in a water tank?

The basics to disinfect and shock chlorinate the contents of a water storage tanks is a mixture of one gallon of non-scented NSF-approved household bleach of 5.25% chlorine in the reservoir for every one-thousand gallons of water. On a smaller scale of water storage the mixture would be one quart of bleach to 250 gallons of water.

How do you treat a water storage tank?

For every five hundred gallons of water in the water storage tank, add one to one-and-half ounces of non-detergent chlorine bleach of a 5.25 concentration to a clean quart container half filled with water directly into the water storage tank.

Next, clean the inside of the tank with a power washer to make sure all the detergent is gone then fill with hot water and let the tank sit for 6 to 8 hours. Drain the water with a portable pump so any dirt and rinse water is removed. Need a water storage tank in Aledo and Fort Worth, TX? Call 817-901-7775 today!

• It Is Water: Having a water well will give you indefinite access to water and that is an investment within itself. Consider what you’re paying every month to have water. 
• It is Lower Cost: Yeah, after you review how much you pay each month to have the privilege of using a natural resource, you realize that maybe a private well would be cost-effective after the initial install. Gone are the municipal usage charges and in some states, there is tax credit options and federal tax credit options. Even when you consider the cost to install the water well and treatment that is recommended, you’re still going to spend less money over a year. 
• It is Healthier: The municipal water you have access to is treated with chemicals like chlorine and fluoride as well as other chemicals that are harsh and almost impossible to filter out. With proper and routine use of well water treatment tablets  or other well water treatment options, the natural filtering of well water is healthier. 
• It Tastes Better: Ask anybody that has had municipal water and well water which is better and more refreshing. Want to know why? Well water is softened naturally; it doesn’t need chemical additives to make it soft. 
• It is Environmentally Friendly: For anyone that is looking to go green as much as possible, well water is waiting for you! Because it is naturally filtered, it takes those chemicals added to municipal water out of the equation and doesn’t put anything back into the system. 

Should you filter well water?

There are over 15 million homes in the United States on well water, water that is generally safe for consumption and use. However, this doesn’t mean that it is without caution and well water treatment to keep it healthy and safe. 

Because it is well water, there isn’t that municipal testing and treating, making you the responsible party. Well water treatment is usually nothing more than adding tablets to the well or using the services of a well water treatment company.  A few things you should know about well water life: 

1. It is Water from the Ground and it is untreated. A properly dug well is dug to the aquifer, the underground layer of permeable rock where the water is contained. The pump they install carries the water up and into your home. Because that water is coming up from the earth, it is going to collect things as it goes, and that is why well water treatment is necessary.
2. Well Water is Frequently Hard because it naturally dissolves organic matter and minerals from the rocks and soil in the earth. Again, water well treatment and filter system will remove any calcium and magnesium that makes well water hard.
3. Well Water Can stink and stain because of limescale and high iron content. 
4. Well Water is contaminated sometimes because of the pollution this natural resource is subjected to. Next time you’re washing your weed and feed off into the sewer system, think about where it’s going. 
5. Well Water needs annual testing because this natural resource is constantly changing. Well water treatment is important and so is annual testing. Your well won’t be government regulated, so you’ll need to be the responsible party and either do the testing yourself or have a company come test it for you. 

Which water filter is best for well water?

There are several good models on the market. Your budget of course will be a huge deciding factor, but the type of water your well will furnish will be a factor too. Well water isn’t disinfected chemically like municipal water. Most well water won’t have fluoride, sewer pollutants, or harsh chemicals, but it could have bacteria, parasites, sediments, and even heavy metals, or agricultural chemicals, possible industrial chemicals. You want a water filter that removes those bad things and water well treatment that protects the good things.  A few facts to keep in mind when choosing a water well filter: 

1. Power Consumption Rate: Unless the water filter comes with a UV purifier, it won’t need electricity. Even with the UV purifier, it won’t use any more power than your standard light bulb. 
2. Water Flow: Seven gallons per minute is the minimum a home uses with standard faucets and fixtures. If you have a larger home, you’ll want a water filter that can handle double that amount.  The pipe diameter going in and from the filter is the most important factor and should be 1” in diameter. 
3. 3. Micron Filtration Rating: This is the smallest particle the filter can remove and will determine what kind of water your well water access as to which one you need. 
4. Filter Size and Longevity: This is based on the average number of gallons that the filter can process before contaminants can be removed any more. The bigger the capacity, the longer the filter will last. How dirty the water is coming from your well will factor into this too, hence the need for water well treatment. 

Why does my well water stink?

That is Hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S) giving your well water that rotten egg odor and taste. It is a natural occurrence from the chemical reactions of decaying rocks and soil in the ground. It can also be coming from sulfur bacteria or chemical reactions inside your water heater. Need well water treatment today? Call Elder's Pure Water in Aledo and Fort Worth, TX at 817-901-7775.

• Stains: What makes water hard are the dissolved metals and minerals contained in it and those leave behind stubborn, ugly stains in the bathtub, sinks, and toilet, not to mention the scaly deposits around and on the faucets. 
• Scaling: Mineral deposits will build up on the coffee maker, dinnerware, flatware, glassware, pans, pots, and more. The chalky, hard film is difficult to remove and it builds up inside water using appliances like the dishwasher and washing machine, which can lead to repairs, or worse, replacements.
• Utility Bills: If you have noticed your water bills has increased lately, check the plumbing in your home for scale buildup. That same scale that clogs up appliances can clog pipes too, including those running to and through the water heater, boilers, and more. If water runs through something, the scale build up is too. 
• Dull and Faded Laundry: Hard water will make your laundry start looking dull and faded after a while. The laundry soap becomes less effective, leaving behind a residue that makes clothes look dull and fades the colors. 
• Dry Hair and Skin: The minerals found in hard water leaves hair and skin dry, flaky, and itchy. It blocks the pores that you’re trying to open, which causes blackheads and pimples because the skin can’t breathe. 

 So, what are the water softener benefits you can expect? Well in addition to making your clothes and linens look brighter and last longer, water softeners can provide these benefits: 

• Save Water and Conserve Energy: With water softeners installed, it takes less rinsing of dishes and laundry. The less you run your washing machine and the les you run water, you’re saving water and conserving energy. These are two thing that we need more of so we can save our planet.  For you, you could save as much as 6,000 gallons of water almost $900 in electricity costs! 
• Reduce Supply Needs: Water softeners take less products like bleach and detergent to get your laundry clean. When you consider that doing laundry in hard water, you’re washing the water and the laundry, so you use more detergent, more bleach. With water softeners installed, you can cut your laundry supply cost by fifty percent or more. 
• Reduce maintenance and repairs: Water softeners will ease the abuse that any water-using appliance suffers from hard water. Hard water leaves behind scales that clog nozzles, pipes, damages pumps and valves, and leaves machinery inefficient and impaired. This leads to constant cleaning and repairing of washing machines, dishwashers, faucets, and toilets. 

What are the disadvantages of a water softener?

While water softeners have their benefits, they also have a few disadvantages that you should consider before purchasing a water softener. 

1. Water is too soft: Softened water can sometimes become slimy and slippery. 
2. Overdose of sodium:  Water softeners with an ion-exchange contain sodium ions, and for those with a well-balanced diet, that isn’t a problem. For a household that has somebody with sodium intake issues, it could be too much. 
3. Irrigation issues: Water softeners lack calcium and magnesium elements, which is good, but the sodium increase isn’t suitable for irrigation systems. 
4. They are expensive: Installing a water softener can cost up to $2,000 or more and the routine maintenance required can be expensive. 
5.  Dietary mineral requirements: Again, for anyone with dietary needs, water softeners may cause issues with their health. The calcium and minerals that water softeners remove are needed by some people and the sodium is too much for others. 

Do I need a water filter if I have a water softener?

A water filter will remove those unwanted compounds like dirt, sand, sediment, and more from your water. They can also remove chlorine, fluoride, iron, pesticides, and sulfur. 

A water softener purpose is a type of water filter that is specifically for hard water with high levels of calcium and magnesium. Water softeners remove those ions and change how the water interacts with surfaces.

So, if you want the best water possible, then yes, have  water filter and water softener installed. Do you need both? No. 

Can you drink softened water?

The amount of sodium added by water softeners is dependent on how hard the water is originally. Water that has more than ten grains of hardness per gallon will have as much as 30mg of sodium added per eight ounces.  Our diets get the majority of its sodium from the processed foods we eat along with the table salt we add. 

The recommended allowance of sodium in most diets is 2,400 mg per day. There is between 160mg and 240mg of sodium in two quarts of softened water. If sodium is an issue for anyone’s diet or medication regimen, consult with your physician. 

First of all, your drinking water should be clear and not cloudy, and should not have an odor. Any discoloration should be suspect. But, you should definitely get the water tested if it comes out yellowish, brown, bluish or green. Yellow water could indicate the presence of the cancer-causing chemical chromium-6, as well as signs of the presence of lead, iron, manganese, or copper, which in high concentrations can be dangerous. Darker brown colors can indicate rust. Blue or greenish water can indicate the presence of copper and might mean copper pipes are worn and may need to be replaced.

Odors also shouldn’t be present. Common bad odors include rotten egg or sulfurous odors that indicate the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that sometimes occurs naturally in groundwater. In some bacteria, it can be converted to sulfate that can cause dehydration or diarrhea. If your water smells like bleach, it could indicate too much chlorine. Excess chlorine in the water can lead to issues ranging from skin irritation to kidney problems. Odors of sewage indicate you have a problem with your sewer line.

If you are concerned about your water quality and want professional water testing in Aledo and Fort Worth, TX, the experienced professionals at Elder's Pure Water offer a full range of testing services. You can get help by calling 817-901-7775.

Why water testing is important

Testing your water quality is particularly important today. While cities do everything they can to provide you with quality water, many problems can occur that could contaminate water and make it detrimental to your health. Aging pipes in the city’s supply lines or your aging pipes, for instance, could allow contaminants into the water. It’s possible, as well, that while cities treat their water, they might just be meeting federal guidelines but not meeting your standards. Even privately supplied water from wells can contain contaminants, especially in areas when there may be pollutants in the water supply. Whether public or private, water supplies can be contaminated by anything from an overabundance of chemicals like chlorine to dangerous diseases and parasites, all of which could adversely affect your health.

How can I test water quality at home without a kit?

While having your water professionally tested is one of the best ways to ensure your water is safe and of high quality, you have other options available. Water testing kits, for example, can be purchased, and there are some ways to check your water quality without kits. Of course, clean water is clear and odorless, and sometimes just a visual check for cloudiness or discoloration or sniff test for odors will indicate low water quality. Taste tests might reveal issues like low pH or excess minerals—a metallic taste usually indicates these problems. You might also want to have your plumbing checked for corrosion or leaks or other issues that could affect quality. Another resource is your local municipality. Cities are required to report water quality and you can ask for water quality test reports. Sometimes this information is available online.

Are water testing kits accurate?

For the most part, home water testing kits are fairly accurate, especially when testing for the presence of chlorine, lead, bacteria, as well as pH levels. They might not be as accurate or detailed as a lab test when testing for other chemicals like nitrites and nitrates. Much of the accuracy will depend on which test you purchase, along with whether you performed the test correctly.

What tests are used to determine water quality?

At laboratories, water testing includes several different types of tests.

• Temperature: Temperature helps determine the biochemical reaction. Elevated water temperatures, for instance, can limit the ability to hold oxygen and affects how some organisms resist pollutants.
• pH levels: Acidity of water is tested. This can affect the ability of organisms to live in water.
• Chloride testing: High levels of chloride could be the result of dissolving minerals or industrial pollution.
• Salinity: Various levels of salinity in water can affect environments differently.
• Dissolved oxygen: Key indicators of water health, especially for aquatic animals.
• Turbidity: Measures particulate matter suspended in water. 
• Nitrates and Phosphates: In natural waterways, when these chemicals occur naturally, they can be nutrients, but artificially nitrates and phosphates can be harmful, often resulting in algae blooms.
• Pesticides: High levels of pesticides in water can be very dangerous.
• Redox: Reduction-oxidization indicates electron activity and potential for microorganism growth.
• Electrical conductivity: Can help indicate levels of salinity.
• Metals: Some metals naturally occur in water, but many like lead or uranium or mercury are often introduced artificially through processes such as mining and processing of minerals.

What is the healthiest water?

There are all types of water that you can consume. Technically, one of the healthiest is hydrogen water because it contains high levels of antioxidants. But, when it comes to hydration, any water is good as long as it lacks impurities. Water marketed as “healthy” can be good, but the purported health benefits will only be beneficial when working in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise. 

Is hard water bad for you?

Hard water is normally not bad for you. It just contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. Hard water is generally a problem because of the way it affects plumbing and cleansing agents like soaps and detergents. Of course, other harmful chemicals or minerals could be present in hard water, and water testing is advised when you have hard water.

Water testing for Covid-19

In regards to the current Covid-19 pandemic, according to the EPA, water testing has revealed the virus is not transmitted through tap water and has not been detected in water supplies. It is safe to use and drink tap water.

Are whole house water filtration systems worth it?

It is proven that when you do not have measures in place to filter or improve your water, it becomes hard on not only your body but everything it comes into contact with. Dishes, clothes, machines that regularly interact with your less or unfiltered water will deteriorate at a faster rate than expected. That changes with a whole house water treatment, which can be as simple as adding a carbon filter or as monumental as adding several additions to your water system throughout the home. Whereas unfiltered or partly filtered water will have the mentioned effect on clothing and dishes, filtered water improves the lifespan of all things that encounter the filtered water across the board. Furthermore, you can get benefits from your system such as:

• Being able to drink at the tap
• Save money on repairs for your plumbing system
• Reduce toxins that enter the body through water consumption

However, when answering the question of if the system is worth it, it must be understood that two factors must be taken into account: the state of the drinking water and the water pressure. If the former results in a poor quality of water, a whole house water filtration system are absolutely worth it. However, the system can reduce water pressure thanks to the additions it will add that create more gates for the water to pass through. While there are measures to counteract this without having to take away from the filtration.

How do whole house water filters work?

For homeowners that own wells, the knowledge of how a whole house water treatment or filtration system works is relatively common. However, many homeowners are not familiar with the inner workings due to that it is not as well known in urban areas due to the systems already being installed. Such parts of the system can include:

• Water softeners: A system and technique that removes the calcium and magnesium from the incoming water. 
• UV water purifiers: Exposes the water to ultraviolet wavelengths, killing bacteria and viruses.
• Carbon filters: A form of filtering that has activated carbon remove and absorb several particles from the incoming water. 

Among other parts, the pieces of the water filtration system are designed and appropriately named to filter the incoming water. Each piece is placed to benefit the home water system whether it’s source is a well or the system that also provides to other homeowners in a neighborhood or city.