Thursday, November 12, 2015

Help for Suspended Turbidity

Hello Mr. W,

Thanks for contacting us through our website.  You wrote:

“We have suspended turbidity.  no sign turbidity settling after 48 hours.  Needs some type floculant.   Failed bacteria test.  Possible bad draw forgot to remove aerator in faucet. Unknown what bacteria. After spring thaw (WA state) and rains the water is very murky and brown/yellowy in color.

It leaves residual  in toilet and shower floor. 
Murkyness lasts 4-5 months! Water is ferrous and no iron bacteria.  No slime in toilet tank. We currently use R/O for drinking/cooking but would like to not see the water sediment/turbidity.  At this time water looks ok other than the turbidity.  toilet/shower staining wont return until merky returns.

We are right at the mcl for uranium however are drinking/cooking water is R/O. But it is there.   I have an idea on what I need to do but want to run it by a pro first...”


Other than the RO system, what treatment do you currently have in place?  There are actually two separate recommendations we could make. 




If you have observed that the water doesn’t clear up within 2 days, either the injection of a flocculant, or an Ultrafiltration system would be the correct solution to employ.  Either of these approaches can be used to eliminate fine colloidal sediment particles.  Either way requires the use of some standard filtering systems as well though, so typically a 5-micron sediment backwash filter is integrated, either following the flocculation to collect the coagulated material, or as a prefilter to the Ultrafiltration system.


Our Chemsorb sediment backwash filter can serve that role- the high-purity, naturally mined zeolite ChemSorb media filters and removes sediment down to 5 microns.  Unlike filter cartridges that quickly become clogged and require frequent changes, the Backwash Sediment Filter automatically backwashes the sediment restoring water pressure. The media is easily changed and lasts for about 5 years. 

As for flocculation, you could consider trying injection of aluminum sulfate, or alum.  That is our preferred flocculent .  The alum comes in powder form that is mixed into a liquid solution with water.  You could use a chemical  Stenner injection pump to send the alum solution into your water prior to your filtration.  I am also including a recommendation for a contact/mixing tank which would allow enough time for the alum to flocculate the sediment and colloidal iron before it goes through the backwashing filtration.

As an alternative to flocculation, however, one great way to achieve the same result is to use an automatically flushing Ultrafiltration system, which can filter down to a very small 0.015 microns.  Ultrafiltration is a membrane-based technology that pushes water through extremely tiny pores in order to separate suspended material.  It should do the job for you as well, and requires a lot less maintenance compare to flocculation.


Sediment Backwash Filter 5700E – 1.5 Cubic Foot Size
Sediment Backwash Filter 5700E
Excellent quality. Low maintenance.  Unlike filter cartridges which can trap sediment and dirt causing pressure drop these systems automatically backwash out trapped sediment alleviating pressure drop.

1" or 3/4" pipe size with bypass valve included
10" x 54" tank; 1.5 cubic foot of media;
 
Click here for more details.






Metering Pump & Tank: 45MHP-10 Stenner Pump with 25 gallon heavy-duty polyethylene solution tank; 


Metering Pump & Tank: 45MHP-10 Stenner Pump with 25 gallon heavy-duty polyethylene solution tank
Pump output 0.5 to 10.0 gallons per day (1.9 to 37.9 liters per day); voltage available in 120V or 220V; 60 Hz. This is a complete system that comes with everything you need: solution tank; metering pump; tubing; fittings; and injection check valve.

Pump dimensions: 6” x 10.6”

Click here for more details.

                                                      Excellent Warranty:  1 Year on the metering pump

Alum 25 Lb Bucket  


Alum 25 Lb BucketAlum is a widely used flocculent chemical for water treatment. It occurs naturally as the mineral alunogenite. It is frequently used as a flocculating agent in the purification of drinking water and waste water treatment plants. In water purification, it causes impurities to coagulate which are removed as the particulate settles to the bottom of the container or more easily filtered. This process is called coagulation or flocculation.

Click here for more details.

80 Gallon Contact Tank 
80 Gallon Contact Tank

The CT-80 tank is a durable easy-to-install retention tank designed to provide optimum contact time during chemical treatment. These lightweight seamless totally non-corrosive retention tanks are ideal for new and replacement installation where durability is at a premium. 100% non-metallic polymer materials. Impervious to chemical attack.  Comes with  1-1/4 inch inlet. 


Click here for more details.

Diameter: 21”     Height:  63”


Excellent Warranty:  5 Years from date of installation. 


Vacuum Breaker, ½” mpt.   



Vacuum Breaker

       
        Vacuum breaker relief valve Watts 1/2" male 200 PSI maximum.
        Required for contact and retention tanks to prevent vacuum in system and avoid imploding vessel.

 Click here for more details

 Vizion UFL-440 Ultrafiltration System: 10 GPM



Vizion UFL-440 Ultrafiltration System


The UFL-440 system uses a permanent pressure vessel and a replaceable ultra-filtration cartridge that is automatically flushed by a pulse controller.  Dimensions: 11.5 x 6 x 47 inches. Operating weight 42 lbs.  10 gallon per minute capacity. 100-240 V. 1 NPT inlet and outlet connections; 3/4 NPT drain connection. Max operating pressure 100 psig. Max operating temperature 104 F. Nominal pore size .015 microns. pH range 3-10.

Shipping Dimensions: 12" x 10" x 50"

Shipping Weight: 42 lbs
Click here for more details.