Although there is a rapid modernization of water purification technologies, the quality of the water in water supply systems does not improve significantly, in some cases it even worsens.
Even if the water treatment shows good results and the water meets the requirements of regulatory acts, on the way from the treatment plant to your apartment the water quality may decrease due to the condition of the water supply system. When water pipes reach the end of their service life, rust and slime appear on their inner surface caused by various microorganisms. As the water flows through the water pipe, the contamination is partially washed away and reaches the end consumer.
Being aware of the state of water supply systems, the water purification systems are being designed in apartment houses that are under construction. It improves the quality of life of the residents of the house, reduces the maintenance costs of heating systems and also save energy resources. However, if such a system is not installed in an apartment building during construction, it is possible to install it later.
Centralized water supply problems
Water from a centralized water supply (tap water) can have several problems. For water taken from the surface sources (rivers), it is water hardness, color, turbidity and smell. On the other hand, the problems of iron, hardness and sometimes also manganese are relevant for underground waters.
- Hardness salts are the cause of scale formation in heating and cooling systems, lime deposits on plumbing and household appliances. They significantly reduce the energy efficiency of heating systems and are the reason for its frequent maintenance.
- Water turbidity is not only a visual disadvantage. This problem accelerates the wear of faucets and other plumbing fixtures, clogs shower heads etc.
- The color of the water in most cases is the result of the presence of organic matter (less often iron). Such impurities contribute to the formation of mucus and cause visual discomfort.
- Iron and manganese are classic impurities found in well water. They are characterized by red scale deposits and a metallic taste in the water. They clog the nozzles and negatively affect the condition of the skin.
How does the water treatment system look like in an apartment building?
In most cases the water purification system in an apartment building differs from the water purification system of a small household (with high productivity) only in the size of the equipment. Typically such systems are placed in a basement or other utility room. Water from the water supply network first enters the installed water treatment system and only then reaches consumers, heating equipment and other needs.
The following factors determine the configuration and size of the water treatment system:
- source water condition;
- number of consumers;
- water quality requirements;
- client resource capabilities.
-
MECHANICAL WATER PURIFICATION
The first stage in any water treatment system is mechanical cleaning, the removal of mechanical particles (sand, clay, rust, sludge, etc.). One of the options is the installation of the cartridge filters. The installation of high-performance washing filters and disc filters is no less popular.
Mechanical cleaning will ensure clean water for all residents of the house, regardless of the condition of the outlet. Even if the water supply is interrupted, the first opening of the faucet will not be accompanied by water with unclear content, the service life of the plumbing will increase and the frequency of damage to the water supply and heating equipment will decrease.
-
WATER SOFTENING
Water softening is another important step in the water treatment. Although the water hardness in water may meet the requirements of regulatory acts, it is often at the limit of the maximum concentration. Depending on the hardness of the source water, the heating efficiency can decrease by more than 50%, while the heat-insulating scale layer in the heating system can significantly speed up its maintenance.
Advantages of water softening:
- significant reduction of heating bills;
- soft water in the shower and bathroom;
- lime deposits do not form in the bathroom;
- reduction in consumption of detergents and cleaning agents.
The problem of the water hardness can be solved with an autonomous water purification system or by installing a water purification system for the whole house. Water softening is carried out using ion exchange resins which are polymer granules capable of exchanging calcium (the main cause of scale) for sodium (does not form deposits). In cleaning mode the water passes through the material layer and calcium ions are exchanged for sodium ions. When the ion exchange resin resource is exhausted, the system automatically washes it with sodium chloride solution. All that is needed is to provide salt in the tank, everything else the filters handle by themselves. The “smart” control valves of the DUPLEX and TRIPLEX designs will automatically start the regeneration process so that the water supply is continuous.
-
CARBON FILTERS
Activated carbon is intended for sorption of organic substances, chlorine, ammonia and other impurities from the water. Carbon filters are suitable for apartment buildings that receive water from surface sources. Water from surface sources is characterized by a pronounced color caused by humic substances and a high content of organochlorine substances. It is not recommended to use such water as drinking water.
As one of the solutions are high-performance sorption filters (also in the form of columns) which are filled with filter material (coconut or bituminous carbon). The water passes through the layer of material and enters the pipeline. Regeneration involves washing the material with spring water. Filters are usually installed in two or three units so that a break in regeneration does not cause the purified water break.
-
REMOVAL OF IRON AND MANGANESE
The presence of organic matter is characteristic of the water from surface sources, while groundwater has its own set of problems. If the water source is a well, there is a high probability that the water contains iron, manganese and/or hydrogen sulfide:
- iron causes a red coating on the plumbing, a yellowish tint to the water and a specific metallic taste;
- manganese is often found together with an elevated iron content, causing a darker shade of the water;
- hydrogen sulfide produces a very unpleasant “rotten egg” smell.
The solution to these problems can be found either in catalytic materials (Centaur, Purolox, Birm, Greensand) or in Ecomix filter materials, which ensure the separation of iron, manganese as well as hardness salts.
-
ECOMIX: COMPREHENSIVE TROUBLESHOOTING
The Ecomix filter material produced by the Ecosoft company is an achievement in the water purification of any scale. Depending on the modification, it is suitable for both surface and underground water. Water problems are solved within one filter instead of several. Ecomix can combine the functions of ion exchange resin (softening), catalytic material (iron and manganese removal) and activated carbon (oxidability and ammonia reduction) in one filter. It is similar to water softening filters, which are cylindrical in shape with a tank to dissolve the salt. You can find out more about the material here.
-
DECONTAMINATION
In the centralized water supply system chlorine is used for the water disinfection, which is a necessary condition for pipes that are not always hermetic and clean. Within the framework of one residential building, it is possible to ensure the tightness of the water supply system, its regular disinfection and guaranteed isolation, for example, from sewage drains. In this case an excellent solution is ultraviolet disinfection, which does not create by-products and works preventively in situations where there is micro-organic contamination at the entrance of the water supply system.
Read also: How to choose a water filter?
