Water softener problem, elevated copper in drinking water

Users who are viewing this thread

Gary Slusser

That's all folks!
Messages
6,921
Reaction score
22
Points
38
Location
Wherever I park the motorhome.
Website
www.qualitywaterassociates.com
See if you can follow along...

SMS1944 said: "My specific question is whether this seems like a reasonable corrective action. The price is high but I am willing h spend an extra $4250 if this will finally correct the problem. We have septic too and are concerned that the PH may become too high and cause a problem. We don't know if this system can properly regulate the PH'.
 

Tom Sawyer

In the Trades
Messages
3,625
Reaction score
34
Points
48
Location
Maine
Oh just go away, you added nothing of help to the OP whatsoever and you know it.
 

Gary Slusser

That's all folks!
Messages
6,921
Reaction score
22
Points
38
Location
Wherever I park the motorhome.
Website
www.qualitywaterassociates.com
No matter your opinion, you're entitled it, and to be wrong as often as you want to be. And I'm entitled to my opinions. It sounds as if you've gotten all emotional again, isn't there a cartoon you can come up to make you feel better?

BTW, if you don't like my replies, knowing your acting abilities, you should be able to act like a grownup and not read them.
 

Tom Sawyer

In the Trades
Messages
3,625
Reaction score
34
Points
48
Location
Maine
Nah, I'm just poking fun at you. There's not much point in getting emotional over anything you post LOL When it comes to acting like a grown up I follow your lead. LOL
 

ditttohead

Water systems designer, R&D
Messages
6,088
Reaction score
455
Points
83
Location
Ontario California
Wow, so now my political affiliations are known because of a post I did regarding water treatment. I am truly impressed that someone has that much foresitght, knowledge, and soothsaying ability.

FYI, figure out my political affiliation by my name, it is not like I am hiding it. And one of my daughters names is Condoleezza, hmmmm, for some reason I dont think I voted for the Brownstreak. I do agree with certain aspects about our industry. We have been slow to react and many companies still practice horribly inefficient ideas that hurt our industries reputation as a whole. Iron removal above a part or two with softening is a perfect example.

I would think that a good way to improve the quality of the postings here is to indicate the "professionals" qualifications in their signature.

Certified Water Specialist and level, licensed plumber, C-55 licensed contrator, small systems operator, USP certified system operator, WFI certified systems operator, Troll, etc. could be some of the designations. maybe we could vote on this idea? :)
 

bill marsh

New Member
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
NY
My wife and I have no understanding how to resolve our problem. We noted blue-green discoloration in our toilets. We tested our well water and there was no significant copper emanating from the well and the first draw from our faucet read 0.62. We thus had corrosion causing leaching from our copper pipes. A water softener company checked our water. The pH was 7.5 at the sink and we were told that we had elevated CO2 in our drinking water. We previously had a water conditioner and neutralizer. We called a national company who added soda ash but we were unable to maintain a stable pH in our sink water. They then tried Carus 4200 orthophosphate. After two months, again there was no copper emanating from the well and the sink first draw showed the same elevated 0.62 copper level. Our pH remains at 7.5. The Carus company (manufacturer of orthophosphate) stated that probably our water was made too soft for the orthophosphate to be effective. I told this information to the national water softener company and their response was to remove all their equipment and return our money. They were unwilling to try to alleviate the problem by increasing slightly the hardness of the water. Well, with no solution, we called a local non -national water treatment company. He did not retest our water, referring to our previous independent lab evaluations. His solution was to maintain our previous 2 cu ft Clack softener with a dome top,add two 10" x 54"filter 5800 SXT-neutralizer with a 80%Corasex-20%Calcite blend, properly ground the well tank to house electrical main, maintain a ph 8.2-8.6. He assures us that this will eliminate the excess copper leaching from our corroded pipes. He is charging $3000 for the 2neutralizers and $1250 additional parts and labor. My specific question is whether this seems like a reasonable corrective action. The price is high but I am willing h spend an extra $4250 if this will finally correct the problem. We have septic too and are concerned that the PH may become too high and cause a problem. We don't know if this system can properly regulate the PH. We are at wits end. Thank you, Stephen

Very suprised you had CO2 with a 7.5 pH. I would be very suprised if that was a test performed by a laboratory. The guideline for pH by the EPA is 6.4 to 9.5. A pH of 7 is neutral. 7.5 is alkaline. The green in toilet bowls is probably because the water doesn't turn off quickly enough. Even a low pH is not very agressive on cold water. No matter what the pH is if water sits long enough on first draw you will always get copper leaching - more pronounced on the hot. You can have an electrician check for electrolysis as that can cause cooper to leach. Short of that I would not treat the pH as it is well within the EPA guidelines. You may also seek advice of a state licensed lab. that does water testing.
 

Tom Sawyer

In the Trades
Messages
3,625
Reaction score
34
Points
48
Location
Maine
If I had the cajone's to try and sell my customers PH mediation for water running 7.5 I would be a millionaire. Around here, everyone's water runs low PH.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks