Gerry,
We have a 2-1/2 bathroom home with two persons living here, although our kids sometimes visit us and stay for a few days. I used the Easy Well Water Test Kit (it was easy, thanks) and came up with the following:
Hardness: 36 grains/gallon
Iron: 0.32 mg/L
Manganese: 0.04
Total Dissolved Solids: 484 PPM
pH: 7.2
Sulfate: 120 PPM
Hydrogen Sulfide: 2 – 4 PPM
Alkalinity: 240 PPM
I checked our flow rate using your guide and came up with 10.5 gallons per minute.
Our main problem is the odor. We get a faint smell of rotten-egg odor right from the well, but we also have it in the hot water as well. Will chlorination will work for us? I mean, can we just get the chlorinator and nothing else, or do we need to filter the water? We need to replace our old water softener too. Thank you.
John,
Pennsylvania
Hi John,
Thanks for the email. Chlorination is a low-cost way to treat the odor, but we don’t recommend chlorination alone. For one thing, you don’t want a chlorine residual in water, which can affect the septic tank over time. Also, you might not want to bathe in or drink chlorinated water.
Fortunately, it is not expensive or difficult to remove the chlorine.
After chlorination and a small contact/retention tank (to allow the chlorine a few minutes to work) I would recommend a small backwashing carbon filter system to remove the chlorine residual. This will also remove sediment and oxidized particles that can be created once the water is chlorinated.
In this approach, there are no filters to change and the entire system is automatic.
You can use a small chlorine Metering Pump to inject a dilution of Chlorine into the line. Following injection would be Contact Tank and Backwashing Carbon Filter. This is explained further below.
The chlorination solution (1 part chlorine bleach to 9 parts of soft water) is very effective at removing Iron, Odors, and Manganese. The odors can come from naturally-occurring sulfur in the well water, as well as from sediment, etc. that release hydrogen sulfide gas.
As noted above, the reason for a Contact Tank is this will provide a couple of minutes of retention time in order to destroy the odors, etc. from the water.
Once this process is complete the water is simply filtered by a Carbon filter which removes the now oxidized elemental Sulfur, residual chlorine levels, along with improving the overall tastes and odors.
Since your iron and manganese levels are relatively low, you do not need a separate iron filter. If your iron was higher than 1.0 PPM we would recommend a Pro-OX iron filter, then the carbon filter.
Finally, a Water Softener will polish the water as well as prevent staining from occurring on fixtures, glassware, etc. An optional RO (reverse osmosis) system at the kitchen sink will remove the dissolved solids and any sodium present and make the water great for drinking.
Please see below for images, product links, as well as other pertinent information for this option.
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Precision-24 Metering Pump with 15 Gallon Solution Tank
Extremely versatile pump comes in either 115 or 220 volts so as to be wired to come on whenever your well or pressure system is energized. Works with well water flow rates from 1 – 50 Gallons per Minute (GPM).
Output rating: 0.1 – 24 Gallons per Day (GPD). Pressure rating: Will inject into lines with up to 110 PSI. Digital speed adjustment allows for quick changes to pump output.
Additional features: Degassing Valve is built in which makes this great for chlorination use. The system includes Chlorination Pump, 15 Gallon Solution Tank, Injection Check Valve, Tubing and installation fittings.
Excellent Warranty: 1 year on the Metering Pump.
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Contact Retention Tank CWS – 1665, 48 Gallons
The CWS-1665 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.
Max Pressure: 125 PSI, most other tanks can take 75 PSI Maximum!
Dimensions: 16” Diameter x 74” Tall.
Port Size is 1” Female Pipe Thread.
Excellent Warranty: 5 years from the date of installation.
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Vacuum Breaker, ½” Male Pipe Thread (MPT)
Vacuum breaker relief valve Watts 1/2" male 200 PSI maximum.
Required for contact and retention tanks to prevent a vacuum in the system and avoid imploding vessel.
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Spectrum Free Chlorine Test Kit – TK2501
Quickly and easily test for available chlorine using drops, 50 tests included. Much more reliable that test strips and help in maintaining a proper residual in your system.
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Carbon Backwash 5900, 1.5 cu. Ft. 115 Volt
All the filter media you need for the system is included. Excellent for use in removing residual chlorine/contaminants from water, along with improving overall tastes and odors. Long lasting & durable this Coconut Shell Carbon typically lasts for 4 - 6 years and is easily replaced.
Much longer life and higher flow rates than standard carbon. Unlike carbon cartridges which can trap sediment and dirt causing a pressure drop these systems automatically backwash out trapped sediment alleviating pressure drop.
Dimensions: 10” Diameter x 61” Tall with the control valve. 1” pipe connectors and the bypass is included. We also provide full installation and start-up guides directly to you and are available for Tech-support.
Excellent Warranty: Industry leading 7 Years on Control Valve & 10 years on the media tank.
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Softener 5900e Series- 48K Size, 1.5 cu. Ft.
Includes 1-inch pipe connectors; by-pass valve; 1.5 cubic feet of heavy-duty Softener resin; heavy-duty brine tank; and 5900e Series digital metered-regeneration control valve. Ease of service along with a simple user interface are a big plus with this valve.
Excellent quality and should last for years to come, typically 10+ as long as is backwashing normally and using the proper amount of salts. These are quite efficient with usage, thus would only regenerate based on the gallons used and not by days of the week.
Dimensions: 10”x 54” Tank, with the valve, is approximately 61” tall. All instructions on assembly are included as is tech-support as well. Brine Tank is 16” x 16” x 39” Tall.
Excellent Warranty: Industry leading 7 years on the control valve; 10 years on the tanks.
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USA High-Flow 4-Stage 60 GPD RO System
60 Gallons Per Day (GPD) Thin Film Composite Membrane
Includes:
Comes complete with easy-to-follow installation instructions.
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Questions? Call us toll-free 888-600-5426 or email us
I hope this information helps and finds you well, should you have any questions or require additional documentation simply let me know.
