Where in system to test for free chlorine

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Hcw3

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We have a chlorine injector / contact tank / and filter system, with a salt softener. For years I've been wondering if I'm doing the chlorine test in the right spot in the system! The installer gave me a free chlorine test kit, and said 'if you can smell it a little bit then it's right'.... He didn't say where in the system to take the sample water.

To test, if I take the sample directly after the contact tank, bypassing the charcoal filter, and bypassing the softener, the tap will run with a definite chlorine smell, with maybe a wee bit of sulphur smell, and the free chlorine tests at .5ppm.

However, with nothing bypassed, testing at the tap shows zero free chlorine. We would prefer removing the chlorine completely - toilet, shower, etc haven't been iron-stained since doing it this way - but is this the right way to be doing it?

We also have a secondary kitchen sink carbon filter for drinking water.

Thanks for any pointers.
 

Reach4

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I would think you would check after the contact tank and before the carbon tank. So by bypassing, you would be doing pretty much the same thing.

I suggest you sanitize your plumbing including the water heater and even the softener (be extra careful on the softener-- limit time and ppm). SRB (sulfate reducing bacteria could be generating H2S including in the WH).

https://terrylove.com/forums/index....izing-extra-attention-to-4-inch-casing.65845/ is my well and plumbing sanitizing write-up. Some of that could be useful to you.

When using a softener for iron removal, treating the resin periodically is a good idea. I like Iron Out powder, but there are other choices.
 

Hcw3

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I would think you would check after the contact tank and before the carbon tank. So by bypassing, you would be doing pretty much the same thing.

I suggest you sanitize your plumbing including the water heater and even the softener (be extra careful on the softener-- limit time and ppm). SRB (sulfate reducing bacteria could be generating H2S including in the WH).

https://terrylove.com/forums/index....izing-extra-attention-to-4-inch-casing.65845/ is my well and plumbing sanitizing write-up. Some of that could be useful to you.

When using a softener for iron removal, treating the resin periodically is a good idea. I like Iron Out powder, but there are other choices.
Thanks a lot @Reach4. That's reassuring.

I'd (conveniently) forgotten about sanitizing last summer.... I will put it on my list for next summer. Thanks for the write-up. That's extremely helpful.
 
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