| PROBLEM |
TREATMENT METHOD |
|
|
| ODOUR |
|
|
|
| ROTTEN EGG SMELL |
a) |
Manganese greensand filter up to 6 ppm H2S with pH not lower than 6.7 |
|
b) |
Over 6 ppm H2S constant chlorination by filtration / dechlorination |
|
c) |
Open aeration followed by oxidizing-catalyst filter |
|
|
|
|
The water should be tested at the source for H2S determination as the gas escapes rapidly. |
|
|
| PETROLEUM |
Locate and eliminate seepage. Activated carbon will adsorb oil and gasoline (most hydrocarbons) on a short term basis. Air-strip with (40:1 air/water ratio) followed by 2 ft3 carbon units in series |
|
|
| AROMATIC, FISHY, EARTHY, OR WOODY SMELL |
a) |
Activated carbon type filter, or |
| b) |
Cartridge-activated carbon filter for drinking and cooking |
|
|
|
| SHARP METALLIC SMELL |
a) |
Water softener can remove 0.5 ppm or iron (Fe) for every grain/gal. of hardness up to 10 ppm at minimum pH of 6.7 (unaerated water) |
|
b) |
Over 10 ppm Fe: chlorination with sufficient retention tank time for full oxidation followed by filtration and dechlorination |
|
c) |
pressure aeration plus filtration for up to 20 ppm Fe |
|
|
|
| APPEARANCE |
|
|
|
|
|
| RUST |
a) |
up to 10 ppm iron removed by manganese greensand filter if pH is 6.7 or higher; or |
|
b) |
Manganese-treated pumicite catalyst filter if pH is 6.8 or higher and oxygen is 15% of total iron content |
|
c) |
Downflow water softened with good backwash, up to 10 ppm, use calcite filter followed be downflow water softener |
|
|
|
| BLACK STAINING |
a) |
Manganese greensand or manganese zeolite-type catalyst-filter to limit of 6 ppm or 15 ppm, respectively (combined Fe and Mn), with pH not lower than 6.7 value |
|
b) |
Process used for iron removal usually will handle manganese |
|
c) |
Manganese punicite* medium catalyst-filter with ultra-filtration-type membrane element |
|
b) |
For whole-house system, remove by absorption via special macroporous Type 1 anion exchange resin regenerated with NaC1. up to 3 ppm |
|
c) |
Above 3 ppm, constant chlorination with full retention time, followed by filtration and/or dechlorination |
|
|
|
| GELATINOUS SLIME |
a) |
Destroy iron bacteria with a solution of hydrochloric acid, then constant chlorination, followed by activated carbon filtration or calcite filter. |
|
b) |
Potassium permanganate chemical feed followed by MnZ/anthracite filter |
|
|
|
| HYDROCARBON SHEEN |
|
[Same as Petroleum] |
|
|
|
| MURKY |
a) |
For mud, clay, and sediment - use a calcite or pumicite filter, up to 50 ppm |
|
b) |
For sand, grit, or clay - use a hydrocyclone, sand trap, and/or install new well screen |
|
|
|
| TASTE |
|
|
|
|
|
| SALINITY |
a) |
There is no commercial residential treatment for sodium over 1,800 ppm |
|
b) |
Deionize drinking water only with disposable mixed bed-anion/cation resin; or |
|
c) |
Reverse osmosis for drinking and cooking water only; or |
|
d) |
Home distillation system for drinking water. |
|
|
|
| MEDICINE |
Single faucet activated carbon filter or whole-house tank-type activated absorption filter |
|
|
|
| CHEMICAL TASTES (OTHER) |
PESTICIDES-HERBICIDES: Activated carbon filter will absorb limited amount. Must continue to monitor the product water closely |
|
|
|
| [PLEASE NOTE: The words ABSORB and ADSORB are both used in the above. |
|
ABSORB is the process of one substance actually penetrating into the structure of another substance. |
|
ADSORB is the physical process occuring when liquids, gases, or suspended matter adhere to the surfaces of, or in the pores of, an absorbent medium. Adsorption is the physical process which occurs without chemical reaction.] |
