Methods of Water Treatment


Water Contaminants

Acidic Water
Aluminum
Ammonia
Arsenic
Bacteria
Barium
Benzene
Bicarbonate
Borate (Boron)
Bromine (Bromide)
Cadmium
Calcium
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chloride
Chlorine
Chromium
Color
Copper
Cryptosporidium
Cyanide
Fluoride
Giardia Lamblia
Hardness
Hydrogen Sulfide
Iron
Lead
Legionella
Magnesium
Manganese
Mercury
Methane
Nickel
Nitrate
Nitrite
Odor
Organics
Pesticides
pH
Potassium
Radium
Radon
Selenium
Silica
Silver
SOC's
Sodium
Strontium
Sulfate
Taste
THM's
TOC
Total Dissolved Solids
Turbidity
Uranium
Viruses
VOCs

pH

Source
The term "pH" is used to indicate acidity or alkalinity of a given solution. It is not a measure of the quantity of acid or alkali, but rather a measure of the relationship of the acid to the alkali. The pH value of a solution describes its hydrogen-ion activity. The pH scale ranges between O and 14.
Typically all natural waters fall within the range of 6.0 to 8.0 pH. A value of 7.0 is considered to be a neutral pH. Values below 7.0 are acidic and values above 7.0 are alkaline. The pH value of water will decrease as the content of CO2 increases, and will increase as the content of bicarbonate alkalinity increases. The ratio of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate alkalinity (within the range of 3.6 to 8.4) is an indication of the pH value of the water. Water with a pH value of 3.5 or below, generally contains mineral acids such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acid.

Treatment
The pH can be raised by feeding sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), sodium carbonate (soda ash), sodium bicarbonate, potassium hydroxide, etc. into the water stream. A neutralizing filter containing Calcite (calcium carbonate - CaCO3) and/or Corosex (magnesium oxide -MgO) will combat low pH problems, if within the range of 5 to 6. The peak flow rate of a neutralizing filter is 6 gpm / sq. ft. Downflow filters require frequent backwashing is required to prevent "cementing of the bed". A 50 -50 mix of the two seems to provide the best all around results. Upflow neutralizers don't experience the problem of "cementing" of the bed.

Related Products
APWCUN-101 Acid Neutralizer System - For: Whole house filtration.
APWCUN-201 Acid Neutralizer System - For: Whole house filtration.
APWCUN-301 Acid Neutralizer System