Chlorine and Chloramine Reduction

How flow rate affects media longevity and pressure drop

by Gene Franks

Pentair’s ChlorPlus 20BB

I’m going to make some generalizations about water treatment that are based on information from a single advertising brochure: Pentair’s ChlorPlus Series information sheet. The sheet gives performance data for two Pentair cartridge series, the ChlorPlus carbon block filters in four standard sizes and the unique CRFC radial flow carbon series in two high-flow sizes.

Here is some basic information you deduce from the Pentair sheet:

Carbon reduces both chloramine and chlorine.

Although specialty carbons are often used to enhance chloramine reduction, any carbon filter will remove chloramine if you give it enough contact time. This is contrary to information supplied by some anti-chloramine groups which would have it that chloramine is “impossible” to remove. And, in answer to another frequent question, filters that remove chloramine also remove chlorine.

Carbon lasts much longer when treating chlorine than it does when treating chloramine.

The ChlorPlus 10 (9.75″ x 2.5″ drinking water size) is rated for 50,000 gallons at 1 gallon per minute (gpm) when treating chlorine and only 1,000 when treating chloramine at the same flow rate. This fifty to one ratio is typical.

Performance and  longevity vary considerably according to flow rate.

The CRFC20-BB “whole house” 4.5″ X 20″  cartridge has a chloramine capacity of 25,000 gallons when treating a flow stream of 2.5 gpm and only 10,000 gallons when the flow rate doubles to 5 gpm. This has interesting implications if you’re buying a whole house filter.  Consider what happens if you need to treat five gallons per minute and you use two filters and split the stream between them.  When compared with the single filter, the two-filter system doesn’t treat twice as many gallons; it treats five times as many gallons.  At 5 gpm, one filter has a 10,000 gallon service life, but two filters at the same flow rate have a 50,000 gallon life expectancy.

Pressure drop across a filter increases greatly as flow rates increase.

The CRFC20-BB reduces water pressure by 2.5 psi at a 5 gpm flow rate and less than 1 gpm when flowing at 2.5 gpm.  The faster the flow, the greater the pressure drop: another excellent reason to split your whole house service stream between two filters installed in parallel.

Pentair’s Radial Flow Chloramine Cartridge,  CRFC20-BB

The principles above apply not only to Pentair cartridges and not only to chloramine and chlorine reduction.  For large, tank-style filters with granular carbon, for example, you’ll get much longer service life and less pressure drop if the unit is adequately sized.  A carbon backwashing filter designed to handle a 4 gallon per minute flow will “work” if you run six or seven gpm through it, but the carbon with need replacement much sooner and you’ll experience greater pressure drop than you would with a filter designed to handle 6 gpm comfortably.

For more information with pictures of parallel installations with cartridge filters, see “Multi-filter installations provide better flow, better water.”

 

Outdated Sewage Technologies Are Still in Wide Use in the US

The Romans developed a technology, still used today, called combined sewers. It is effective at what it was designed for–moving sewage and stormwater off city streets and out of the city as quickly as possible.

London copied this technology beginning inthe 1800s and many US cities built these combined sewers from the 1850s to about 1920. The combined sewage and stormwater was discharged directly into rivers and lakes accomplishing the designed purpose of getting it out of the city as quickly as possible.  This was considered good enough at the time, and treatment was added later in some systems.

For systems that have added treatment, the combined sewer system works fine–when the weather is dry. But when it rains, combined sewers receive stormwater faster than treatment plants can handle it. Some of this combined sewage makes it to the treament plant, but if there is too much rain, as there often is, the treatment plant can’t handle the overload and excess combined discharge simply goes to the river or lake. In a word, some of the discharge, raw sewage from homes, flows untreated directly to the lake or river.

There are more combined sewers still in use in the US than one would imagine.  New Jersey, for example, has almost 300.

When water suppliers speak of the need for “infrastructure upgrade,” getting rid of combined sewers is one of the things they’re talking about.

 

 

Natural Zeolite Media for Fine Sediment Filtration

For many years the standard granular media used to reduce sediment were “multi media” combinations featuring such ingredients as garnet, anthracite, and sand. These mixed bed filters usually resulted in filtration down to 10 to 15 microns.

More recently, high purity zeolite has become the medium of choice for sediment filtration.  Modern zeolite filters achieve a 5µ nominal rating, with a couple of brands claiming to be even tighter.

There are some 40 known types of natural zeolites.  The most common is clinoptilolite.

Clinoptilolite is classified as “a crystalline, aluminum, silicon, oxide mineral.” It is most commonly used in a 14 X 40 mesh format and weighs about 55 pounds per cubic foot.  Clinoptilolite resists abrasion and has a very high surface area. Most clinoptilolite used in water treatment is mined in the western United States.

Commercially, clinoptilolite is marketed for residential filtration under such brand names as Micro Z and Turbidex. It has a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) classification and most brands have NSF Standard 61 certification to assure that they are adding nothing objectionable to the water.

Tests have shown natural zeolites to consistently outperform “multi-media” filters in terms of dirt holding capacity, service flow rate, and ease of backwash.

Zeolites can be used to treat almost any sediment or  precipitated contaminant, like iron rust. Zeolite can be backwashed with a moderate amount of water and it supports generous service flow rates. Studies have shown it to have 2.5 the solids loading capacity of sand. It can go longer between backwash sessions.

Turbidex Clinoptilolite Filters in Popular Residential Sizes

Mineral Tank	Cubic Feet of Turbidex	Control Valve	Average Maximum Service Flow in GPM	Backwash Required in GPM	Price
10″ X 54″ Vortech	1.5	Fleck 5600 SXT	9	7	$764
12″ X 52″ Vortech	2	Fleck 2510 SXT	14	8	$849
13″ X 54″ Vortech	2.5	Fleck 2510 SXT	17	10	$1029

Fleck 2510 SXT Control. A tough filter valve with simple electronic programming.

Please call (888) 382 3814 for more information about the  filters described above.

More information about Turbidex, the media used in the filters listed above.

More information about the zeolite filters on this page.

The interesting history of zeolite filters.

Andrew Young Views Fluoridation of Water as a Civil Rights Issue

Civil rights pioneer, former mayor of Atlanta,  and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young has sent a letter to the governor of Georgia calling for hearings to investigate why water fluoridation is continuing despite numerous reasons for ending the practice.

“This is a civil rights issue,” Young says, “and the people have a right to have the full story given to them, rather than highly edited, misleading talking points.”

The letter was also sent to American Water Works Association CEO David LaFrance.

For decades, most messaging about fluoridation has focused on the goal of cavity prevention, with little discussion about fluoride risks to tissues outside the mouth. Young points out that the story offered by promotors of fluoridation has changed over the years.  “When someone’s story keeps changing, there are quite often motivations behind their changed stance that may not be aligned with the best interests of the public,” he says. “Are we sacrificing the health and safety of our communities simply because dentists don’t want to be embarrassed, or sued?”

Dental industry influence and control over the messaging points about fluoridation received by the public and officials is one of a number of issues surfacing in the public health scandal that many are now referring to as Fluoridegate.

Another issue is that adding fluoride chemicals to drinking water is a practice fraught with uncertainty, as there is no way to monitor or control the dose of fluorides individuals will receive, including kidney patients, diabetics, thyroid patients, persons in low income and minority communities, and workers in certain professions.

Those who consume large amounts of water because of outdoor work in hot environments, Young says, are especially at risk. Outdoor workers are a “susceptible subpopulation,” who may be especially at risk for fractures because of bone deterioration brought on by excessive fluoride consumption.

The uncontrolled dosing and selective messaging of points about fluoridation are not lost on attorneys arming themselves for a number of types of fluoride harm litigation.

“Fluoridated water presents a very wide array of legal problems on the personal injury side, and of course there are civil rights, consumer protection, employee injury and right-to-know aspects also,” says attorney Chris Nidel.

“Fluoridegate hearings and upcoming legal cases will put people under oath about all this.”

Influential public figures such as Erin Brockovich, Dr. Mark Hyman, Alveda King and other leaders are also calling for Fluoridegate hearings. Dr. Hyman is a nine-time New York Times bestselling author.

 

Pure Water Products Brings Back the Ink Blotter

Back in the olden days when people bravely drank water straight from the tap and got milk straight from the cow, ink blotters were popular and necessary items. Before ballpoint pens, people wrote on paper by dipping a sharpened feather (called a quill) or a metal pen tip into an ink container. After transferring the ink to the paper in the shape of letters and words, they “blotted” what they had written with absorbent paper called an ink blotter to dry the excess ink and thus prevent runs and smears on the page. Ink blotters were popular items in homes and offices and were frequently used as bearers of advertising.

Since quills are now seldom used, ink blotters have fallen into disuse. Until now. We decided to bring back the blotter by creating one that works with today’s writing instruments. This blotter is guaranteed to prevent ink runs and smears on anything you write. It works with ballpoint pens, computer screens, phones–any modern writing instrument. What’s best is that you don’t even have to blot the words on the screen. Just keep it anywhere in your home or office and, as if by magic, it prevents smears on anything you write. Trust us. It works great!

You can print this blotter directly off the screen and it will work fine.  To fully activate the magical properties of the blotter, however, you have to read the advertising printed on back of the paper version.  See below:

Blotter Advertising.

Handy Alphabetical Index to Water Treatment Products and Parts

 

A

Add-on Filters

Add-on Ultraviolet Units

Aeration Systems for Iron & Sulfide

Aeration Systems (Venturi Style)

Aeration System Parts

AerMax Aeration Systems (standard residential)

AerMax Aeration Systems (high volume)

Air Gap Adapter

Air Gap Faucets (All faucets available as either airgap or non-airgap.)

Air Pumps for water treatment.

Aquatec 6800 and 8800 RO Booster Pump.

B

Backwashing Filters (Basics)

Backwashing Filters (5600) 5600 SXT Series.

Backwashing Filters (Fleck Larger than 5600)

Backwashing Filters, Commercial

Backwashing Filters Accessories

Backwashing Filters Parts

Bath Dechlorination Tablets

“Big Blue” 4.5″ X 10″ Filters  Compact Whole House Filters

“Big Blue” 4.5″ X 20″ Filters  Compact Whole House Filters

Big Bubba High Flow Filters and Cartridges

Birm

Black and White Reverse Osmosis Units

Black and White Undersink Filters

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C

Carbon Block Filter Cartridges

Ceramic Filters

Cartridges, Replacement Filter

Chloramine Filters for the Whole House (tank style “Chloramine Catcher”)

Chloramine Filters for the Whole House (free-flowing cartridge systems)

Chlorine Filters for the Whole House (free-flowing cartridge systems)

Chlorine and Chloramine Backwashing Filter for the Whole House (5600 SXT Series with Aquasorb)

Chlorinators (Dry Pellet)

Chlorinators (Feed Pump Systems)

Chlorinators (Non-Electric, Water Driven)

Commercial (Large Sized) Backwashing Filters — Fleck 2750, 2815, 3150 Backwashing Filters

Compact Whole House Filters, for 2.5″ X 20″ Cartridges

Compact Whole House Filters, with 4.5″ X 10″ Cartridges

Compact Whole House Filters, with 4.5″ X 20″ Cartridges

Countertop Reverse Osmosis

Countertop Water Filters

D

Demand (Delivery) Pumps

Dimensions of Selected Products

Dosatron Non-Electric Feed Pump

Doulton Ceramic Filter Cartridges

Double Countertop Filters

Double Undersink Filters

Dry Pellet Chlorinators

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E

Emergency Filters

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F

Faucets  (Tomlinson).

Filox Filters (for iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide reduction)

Filter Cartridges, Replacement, Listed Chronologically by Part Number

Filter Cartridges, Replacement, Descriptive List, Sorted by Sizes

Filter Cartridges, 9.75″ X 2.5″ (Size 1)

Filter Cartridges, 2.75″ X 20″ (Size 2)

Filter Cartridges, 9.75″ X 4.5″ (Size 3)

Filter Cartridges, 20″ X 4.5″ (Size 4)

Filters to Follow Aermax

Filter Housings

Filter Media (where to buy it)

Filter Media (explanations & usage)

Filter Wrenches

Fleck Filter Valves

Fluoride Removal

Fittings

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G

Garden Hose Filters

Glossary of Water Treatment Terms

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H

Hot Water Filter

Hydrogen Sulfide Treatment (See Dry Pellet Chlorinators, Chemical Feed Systems, Backwashing Filters, and Filox Filters)

Hydrogen Peroxide Feeder

Hydrotech Filter Cartridges

Hydrotech Reverse Osmosis Membranes

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I

Inline Filters

Installation Instructions & Product Information

Iron Removal Filter (see also Filox Filters)

Iron Sequestering System

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J

John Guest Fittings

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K

Katalox Light Filters

Katalox Light Media

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L

Ledge Faucets (All faucets available as either airgap or non-airgap.)

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M

MatriKX Filter Cartridges

Membranes — Reverse Osmosis

Microline Filter Cartridges

Microline Reverse Osmosis Membranes

Model 77 Countertop Filters

Multipure Replacement Cartridge

Murlok Quick Connect Fittings

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N

---

O

O Rings

OneFlow Scale Preventers

Order Form For Replacement Cartridges

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P

Parts

pH Increaser (Calcite)

pH Increaser (Soda Ash)

Point-of-Entry Filters

Pond Filters

Product Manuals

Pumps

Pura Parts Identification–O rings

Pura Ultraviolet Systems

Pura Unit Identification

PuraUV.com — Site now redirects to a new page.

Pure Water Gazette online water news.

Pure Water Occasional email newsletter home page.

Pure Water Occasional Back Issues.

Pure Water Products. Main website.

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Q

Q Series (Omnipure) Filter Cartridges

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R

Refrigerator Filters

Retention Tanks

Resin (for softeners)

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis Parts

Reverse Osmosis Pumps (Undersink Units)

Reverse Osmosis Tanks

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S

Salt-Free Water Conditioning Scale-net Units

Sand Trap

Sediment Filter Cartridges

Shower Filters

Siliphos

Single Tank Aerators

Siphon Filters

Softeners

Solution Tanks

Spigots for Filters and RO Units

Spin Down Sediment Filters

Stainless Steel Whole House Filters

Stenner Peristaltic Feed Pumps

Sterilight Ultraviolet Systems

Superb Filter Wrenches

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T

TAC Units  (ScaleNet, OneFlow.  Watts Salt-Free Hardness Treatment.)

Tanks (All Types)

Touch-Flo Faucets

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U

Ultraviolet Systems

Under-Sink Filters

Under-Sink Parts

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V

Viqua Ultraviolet Systems

Viqua VH200 compact whole house UV Units

Vitabath (bath dechlorination tablets)

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W

Warranties

Washing Machine Filter

Water Articles.

Water Treatment Articles (Pure Water Products).

Water Treatment Issues (alphabetical index).

Water Article Archive. (Pure Water Gazette)

Water Softeners

Water Softener Alternative

Water Testing: Pure Water Products Basic Water Test (Free)  and  Professional Water Test (from National Test Laboratories)

Whole House Filters

Wrenches

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X

---

Y

---

Z

How is tap water treated, and what causes a boil-water advisory?

There’s nothing like a storm to make you appreciate tap water.

 

Where does the water go?

Every municipal water system leaks.  Billions of gallons of water are lost every day from U.S. drinking water systems.

The city of Joliet, Illinois recently raised its water rates but was also forced to enter into a serious discussion about where 1/3 of its water goes.  A full 33 percent of the water produced by the city for sale is not being sold and for the most part is unaccounted for. What’s worse, the amount or “lost” water is increasing every year.
“Acceptable” water loss for cities is around 8%. Leaks account for most of this. A certain amount of leakage is inevitable, and it’s hard to find leaks in pipes that are 10 feet underground. Big leaks, like main breaks, can be estimated and thus “accounted for.”  Also, the city can keep estimated records on water used for firefighting and street cleaning.

Inaccurate meters also account for a lot of the lost water. Meters, especially old ones, sometimes underestimate usage and the water that doesn’t get billed makes up part of the city’s lost water total. It isn’t unusual for some customers to get free water simply because of glitches in the billing system. What they get is, to the city, “lost” water.

Finding lost water is much harder than one might think.  The city of Joliet hired a consulting firm that took a hard look and concluded that it did not know where the unbilled water was going. What they did conclude, however, was that the city was spending way too little to maintain it’s water lines.

The city of Joliet is not an extreme case.   It is not uncommon to hear of water utilities that only bill for 50% or less of the water that they treat and pump to distribution.    Studies have estimated that as much as 5.9 billion gallons per day of water is lost to leakage, poor accounting and other unbilled consumption in the United States.  This is more than enough water to supply the ten largest cities of the United States.

 

 

Lowering the pH of Water in the Home

by Gene Franks

Stenner Peristaltic Pump

High pH in home water is treated far less frequently than low pH. In general, there are few negatives to high pH, but it can produce a soda taste and even cause corrosion in piping and fixtures made with metals such as brass, copper, zinc, aluminum and iron. Very high pH can also cause chlorination to be ineffective.

High pH can be reduced with specialized ion exchange media, but the most common treatment is to inject a mild acid into the water line. It is normally a “point-of-entry” treatment.

With wells, the normal place to inject the acid is just before the pressure tank.

To inject you need a chemical feed pump made of materials that resist corrosion (plastic, in other words) and a solution tank to hold the acid.  The most commonly used acid for pH reduction is acetic acid, which is plain old supermarket grade white vinegar. It is safe, effective, economical, and readily available. Acetic acid is usually injected in about a five percent solution. Other popular weak acids available to residential users are citric acid, a bit stronger than vinegar, which is fed in a one percent solution, sodium bisulfate (potable water grade), fed at one percent, and alum, fed in a two-percent solution.

Hydrochloric and sulfuric acids are usually used only with industrial applications and in cases where alkalinity is extremely high.

As with most treatments in which a solution is fed into a water line, pH reduction will involve some trial and error.  I suggest that you start with the solution strengths given above, set your pump at its medium setting, and give it a try.  Check the pH downstream of the feed (but before any water treatment equipment) after a couple of days and adjust your solution strength or pump setting as needed.

Nitrates in drinking water are becoming a growing concern

Adapted from the Des Moines Register.

As nitrate levels in the water of Iowa’s cities continue to climb, many are beginning to question the safety the 10 ppm federal allowable for nitrates in drinking water.

State sources in Iowa say that the water supplies of about 260 cities and towns are now highly susceptible of becoming contaminated by nitrates and pollutants — about 30 percent of Iowa’s 880 municipal water systems. The state data centers on the cities reporting nitrate levels of 5 milligrams per liter or higher, a warning sign that nitrates are approaching harmful levels.

While it it true that cases of “Blue Baby Syndrome,” the health issue most often associated with nitrates in drinking water at 10 ppm or higher, are quite low, there is growing evidence that lower levels of nitrates can be linked to a host of ailments, not in babies but in the general population.  For example,  the Des Moines Register, lists: