EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Negatively charge ions, such as nitrates, bicarbonate, sulfate, selenium, and some compounds of arsenic.
NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Positively charged ions such as iron, magnesium, calcium or manganese.
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Drinking Water Treatment – Aeration
EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Aeration water treatment is effective for management of dissolved gases such as radon, carbon dioxide, some taste and odor problems such as methane, and hydrogen sulfide, as well as volatile organic compounds, like MTBE or industrial solvents. It is also effective in precipitating dissolved iron and manganese. Aeration raises the pH of water.
NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Aeration is not effective for removal of heavy metals, or pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms like bacteria and viruses.
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Testing Recommendations for Private Drinking Water Wells
While many private water systems provide water that is safe and of good quality, it is not uncommon to have one or more water quality problems. Some such as iron or hydrogen sulfide are quite noticeable. Others, particularly those that are health concerns such as nitrate and pesticides, often require testing to detect.
Unlike public water systems, private well owners in most states are not required to regularly test their wells or correct water quality problems. It is each individual …
Selecting a Home Water Treatment System
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Home Water Treatment Devices
The table below outlines information on specific home water treatment approaches. Keep in mind that some water treatment can be for aesthetic as well as health factors. If drinking water poses a health risk, the consumer may also consider the cost of purchasing bottled water or tying into a public water system if available as an alternative to treatment.
If you need to contact a water treatment professional to install or repair a home treatment system or to assess a …
Drinking Water Treatment – Reverse Osmosis
EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Inorganic contaminants such as: dissolved salts of sodium, dissolved (ferrous) iron, nitrate, lead, fluoride, sulfate, potassium, manganese, aluminum, silica, chloride, total dissolved solids, chromium, and orthophosphate. Also effective in removing some detergents, some taste, color and odor-producing chemicals, certain organic contaminants, and some pesticides.
NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Dissolved gases, most volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants including some pesticides and solvents. Alone, reverse osmosis units are not recommended for treatment of bacteria and other …
Drinking Water Contents
PRIVATE DRINKING WATER
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Private Drinking Water System Basics
- Low Yielding Domestic Water Wells
- Well Construction
PROTECTING DRINKING WATER
- Stormwater and Your Drinking Water Well
- Water Quality Protection Around Your Home
- Setback Distance from Septic to Drinking Water Well
HUMAN HEALTH
- Drinking Water and Human Health Effects
- Drinking Water Contaminants
- Drinking Water Standards
- Testing Recommendations
MANAGING DRINKING WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS
…Drinking Water Well Quality Basics
Groundwater, the source of water for private wells, is never simply a pure combination of hydrogen and oxygen atoms (H20). It contains many impurities, reflecting the composition of the soils, sand, gravel, and rock through which it travels. Groundwater naturally contains:
- Dissolved minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate
- Gases such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen
- Dissolved organic compounds
As a result of human activity, groundwater can also contain contaminants such as pesticides, nitrate, metals, …
Drinking Water Treatment – pH Adjustment
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About pH
pH is an indicator of the acid or alkaline …
Drinking Water Treatment – Activated Alumina
EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Fluoride, arsenic, selenium, and chromium.
Contents
- 1 Uses of activated alumina
- 2 How activated alumina works
- 3 Capacity of an activated alumina device
- 4 Maintenance of an activated alumina device
- 5 Special considerations
- 6 Questions to ask before you buy
Uses of activated alumina
Activated alumina can be used as a point-of-entry or point-of-use water treatment device. Activated alumina absorbs contaminants instead of filtering them. The effectiveness of activated alumina depends on the contaminant, characteristics of the …