WATER QUALITY FACTOR |
EFFECT |
REMEDY |
SUGGESTED PRODUCT |
| Hardness (calcium & magnesium) – water in excess of 3 grains is considered hard and should be softened. |
Scale in pipes and water heaters; causes “soap curd” on fixtures, tile, dishes and laundry, low sudsing characteristics. |
Removal by ion exchange softener |
GE Osmonics Cation Resin Water Softener with Logix Timer |
| Iron/Manganese |
Causes discolored water; red, brown, orange or black stains on fixtures, appliances and laundry; dark scale in pipes and water heaters. |
Low level (2 ppm) removal by ion exchange softener when hardness is also present; best removed by oxidizing iron filter; aeration and/or chlorination followed by filtration in some cases. |
GE Osmonics Greensand Filter |
| Iron/Manganese/Sulfur Bacteria |
Same general effects as above plus slimy deposits that form in pumps, pipes, softeners and toilet tanks. Rotten egg odor possible. |
Low level removal possible by oxidizing iron filter; also removed by chlorination followed by filtration. |
Full chlorine system or GE Osmonics Greensand Filter or Ultra Iron Air Injection System |
| Hydrogen Sulfide Gas |
Foul rotten-egg odor; corrosion to plumbing; tarnishes silver and stains fixtures and laundry; ruins the taste of foods and beverages. |
Best removed by aeration, scrubbing and filtration; also removed by oxidizing filters or chlorination followed by filtration. |
GE Osmonics Air Injection System or Oxidizing System |
| Turbidity |
Suspended matter in water; examples include mud, clay, silt and sand; can ruin seats, seals and moving parts in appliances. |
Removal by backwashing sediment filters; extra fine treatment utilizing sediment cartridge elements. |
GE Osmonics Multi Media Filter |
| Acid Water (low pH) |
Corrosive water attacks piping and other metals; red and/or green staining of fixtures and laundry. |
Best corrected by neutralizing filters or soda ash feeding. |
Neutralizing Filter |
| Taste/Odor/Color (organic matter) |
Makes water unpalatable; can cause staining. |
Depending on the nature of contaminant, aeration followed by filtration; carbon filtration; chlorination followed by filtration. |
Carbon Filter |
| Tannins/Humic Acids |
Can impart an “iced-tea” color to water; causes light staining; can affect the taste of foods and beverages. |
Removal by special ion exchange or oxidizing agents and filtration. |
GE Osmonics Tannin Filter |
| Coliform Bacteria |
Can cause serious disease and intestinal disorders. |
Chlorination and filtration is most widely practiced; iodination, ozonation and ultraviolet treatment are used to a lesser degree. |
Trojan Ultra Violet Light |
| Organic Halides (herbicides & pesticides) |
Can cause serious disease and/or poisoning. |
Most are readily removed by adsorption with carbon filters; some can also be removed by hydrolysis and oxidation. |
Recommendation upon discovery |
| Nitrates/Chlorides/Sulfates |
Can cause health-related problems if quantities are high. |
Removal by special ion exchange, deionization process or reverse osmosis. |
Recommendation upon discovery |
| Sodium Salts |
Imparts an alkaline or soda taste to water. |
Removal by deionization process, reverse osmosis or distillation. |
Reverse Osmosis unit |