Questions to Ask Before You Buy A Water Treatment System

24 Jun.,2024

 

Questions to Ask Before You Buy A Water Treatment System


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First step: Test your water


The first step in choosing a water treatment device is to have your water tested. Tests should be done at an independent, state certified lab.

If the water test indicates that you have a problem, installation of a treatment system may be necessary to remedy it. Be aware that water treatment equipment has trade-offs. There is routine maintenance. Some systems may need to be periodically back-flushed, which will increase the wastewater load to your septic system. The treatment may remove one contaminant, yet add something else to your water. For example, an ion exchange system installed to remove iron and manganese, may add sodium to your drinking water, causing a potential problem for people with high blood pressure or on sodium-restricted diets. Be a good consumer and do your research when shopping for water treatment equipment. The following are questions you can ask a water treatment professional or the water well contractor who installed the well to determine the type of system needed. Background information follows many of the questions. The extent to which the manufacturer or distributor is willing to provide answers can assist you in making an informed choice.

Second step: Be a wise consumer


Were the water tests adequate?


Some water treatment companies include free in-home water testing in their services. Not all contaminants can be evaluated this way. For example, many man-made chemicals, which have been associated with serious health problems, must be analyzed in a laboratory with sophisticated equipment. The consumer must be wary of companies that claim that their home analyses determine more than basic water quality constituents such as hardness, pH, iron, and sulfur. Ideally, you should verify in-home tests with a water test conducted by a state certified laboratory. Once you&#;ve accurately determined what contaminants and characteristics your drinking water has, the level detected will dictate the type of treatment system. Factors to consider include whether the water presents a health hazard and how the levels detected compare to EPA Federal and/or State Drinking Water Quality Standards.

Other consumer protection concerns


Choose a reputable company


Make sure the company you choose to install your water system is reputable and established. How long has the company been in business, and is there a list of referrals you can contact? Ask the company for referrals and contact the referrals to find out if customers were satisfied.

Choose a certified product


Has the treatment system been tested by a third party organization, like the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International, to treat the specific contaminant in question? NSF International is a non-profit organization whose function is to set performance standards for water treatment equipment. It evaluates test results of the treatment device to determine if claims are realistic. Products that have been tested and certified by NSF and that meet their minimum requirements are entitled to display the NSF mark on the products or in advertising literature for products. Manufacturers and models that meet the applicable standard are included in a listing published twice a year.

Ask the sales representative which standards the product meets. Also, ask for test results showing that the specific contaminant(s) you need or want to remove will be addressed by the system you are considering. Tests by third party organizations (those neutral to and trusted by all interests served) should provide extra confidence.

Second opinions on treatment recommendations


Is a second opinion on treatment procedures and equipment necessary? Consider a second opinion on recommended water treatment equipment. Check with at least one additional dealer to see what treatment procedure and equipment is recommended, and ask questions. Compare at least two brands, and consult other references.

Other questions to consider


Is whole-house or just single-tap treatment needed?


Depending on the type of contaminant and its concentration, you may need to treat all the water entering the house or only the water used for drinking and cooking. If the contaminant is only a problem when you drink it, such as lead, you may only need single tap or point-of-use (POU) treatment. POU treatment devices are typically installed at the kitchen faucet to treat water for drinking and cooking. However, if the contaminant is also hazardous when you get it on your skin or inhale it, for example a volatile organic compound or radon, you will need to treat all the water entering the house at the point-of-entry (POE). POE treatment devices are typically installed in the basement after the water pressure tank. Many treatment units are available in both POU and POE models, including granular activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis, and microfiltration units.

Will the unit produce enough treated water daily to meet household needs?


The consumer must be certain that enough treated water will be produced for everyday use. For example, distillation units produce 3-12 gallons of treated water daily depending on the model. In addition, the maximum flow rate of the treatment device should be sufficient for the peak home use rate. Consider installing a flow water meter to help determine what the peak home water use is.

Link to tnma

What are the total purchase price and expected maintenance costs of the device?


The consumer must watch for hidden costs such as separate installation fees, monthly maintenance fees, or equipment rental fees. Additionally, the disposal of waste materials, such as spent cartridges from activated carbon units and used filters, can add to the cost of water treatment and should be figured into the purchase price. You may be able to install some treatment devices on your own. Ask the dealer for all costs involved in the installation and maintenance of the treatment system.

What are the service intervals and the costs involved with this equipment?


Regardless of whether you or your dealer provides the service, there is a cost. Filter cartridges must be changed, materials added as needed, and the water tested regularly to be sure things are working properly. Unserviced equipment may contribute to increased levels of some contaminants. Find out what supplies and equipment are needed, and the expected costs. Determine how often a filter membrane, ultraviolet light, or media will need to be changed and who is responsible for doing this. Ask the dealer if there are any other water quality conditions, like pH or sediments that can affect the effectiveness of the treatment system.

Will the unit substantially increase electrical usage in the home?


The cost of treated water in the home will vary depending upon the cost of electricity and the amount of energy required to operate the treatment unit. Ask about average monthly electrical use for the system you are interested in purchasing.

Is there an alarm or indicator light on the device to alert the consumer of a malfunction?


Many units have backup systems or shutoff valve functions to prevent consumption of untreated water.

Does the purchase price include follow-up water testing to ensure the equipment is working properly after a month or two?


Testing the water a month after the equipment is installed will assure the homeowner that the unit is accomplishing the intended treatment. Have the water tested at a state certified lab.

Additionally, water used for outside purposes should not have to be treated. This will provide you with a raw water tap, which can be periodically tested to compare the effectiveness of your treatment system. Water test results from the raw water tap will also help you to assess changes in your water quality.

What is the expected lifetime of the product and warranty coverage?


How long is your new system expected to last? What is the length of the warranty period and what does the warranty cover? The warranty may cover only certain parts of a device. The consumer should be aware of the warranty conditions.

What potential secondary effects will the treatment unit have on your water quality?


The consumer should be aware that some water treatment equipment works by adding something to your drinking water to remedy the problem at hand. For example, water softeners installed to remove iron may replace the iron removed from the water with sodium.

Summary


The purchase of water treatment equipment is a decision that must be carefully considered. Whether the purchase is being made to improve the aesthetic characteristics of the water or to address health considerations, many factors must be determined. You may want to keep a log book to keep track of water test results, and maintenance and repairs on your treatment system. The following key steps can be used as a checklist when selecting equipment.

  • Have the water tested at a state certified lab before purchasing any treatment equipment. Results of these tests should be used to purchase a treatment system that will address your specific water quality concern.
  • Inquire about the history of the groundwater in your neighborhood to help determine if any water quality problems exists. If so, test your drinking water for these contaminants.
  • Identify options for correcting the problem. Decide whether whole house (point-of-entry) or single-tap (point-of-use) treatment is needed.
  • Determine if the system will treat enough water to meet your needs.
  • Select a reputable dealer.
  • Obtain second opinions.
  • Check to see if proposed equipment has been tested or validated by independent organizations such as NFS International or the Water Quality Association.
  • Talk with others who have the same equipment you may purchase.
  • Be sure to know all the costs of the equipment: purchase price, installation, operating, and routine required maintenance.
  • Understand what maintenance will be required and who will be responsible for doing it.
  • Understand how to determine if the equipment is operating satisfactorily.
  • Determine the expected life of the treatment system.
  • Understand any warranty provided with the treatment system.

Getting It Right the First Time: Water Meter Installation Guide


When you're installing a new water meter, take particular care to ensure the job is done correctly from the start. Careless mistakes made during the installation can damage the new water meter and supply line connections, as well as potentially cause significant property damage if leaking and left unattended. How do you get through the process properly without having to worry about potential issues that may arise? Here are some general guidelines to follow with most water meter installations.

A properly working service line valve is essential in completing this process. Generally, there are two options; a service line valve located outside (typically at or near property line or a meter pit) or a line valve located within the dwelling, in a cellar or mechanical closet. Here are some of the most important things you need to know about installing meters

Regardless of whether the installation is to replace an existing meter or to install a new meter, take note of the following;

  • It is good practice before cutting any pipe or removing anything that you perform the service line shut down to make sure that the line valve you are relying on is working properly.
  • This is done by removing the screen in a cold water supply faucet in the dwelling and flowing that faucet at a slow or medium pace.
  • Turn off the supply line valve and check the faucet to make sure that the water supply has been turned off.
  • The cold water faucet can be left partially open, because you will reverse the process after the installation has been completed.

When replacing an existing meter;

  • Turn water supply line off as noted above.
  • Does the new water meter have the same lay length? If it does, then the procedure is quite simple.
  • Generally, all that is required are the new rubber meter gaskets of the appropriate size and a 
    crescent or pipe wrench.
  • If the replacement meter is not the same lay length, there are a number of adapters available to retro-fit the space to accommodate the new meter, including Space-Saver Flanges(Red Hedtrademarked) for larger meters that will help that process go much more easily.
  • Before installing the new meter always run the water to flush the service line at a slow rate to ensure the line is free of any rust or sediment.
  • Check the water meter for the proper direction of flow. The meter will have some kind of flow direction indicator located on the top or sides of the meter. Then install the new meter and rubber gaskets.
  • For proper installation, never use a wrench to start the thread connections. Always start the meter connections by hand to make sure that the connections are not cross-threaded.
  • In most cases, connection seals with rubber gaskets are made by hand tightening the meter adapters and then completing the leak tight seal using a wrench. Typically, all that is needed after hand tightening is an additional quarter turn to seal the gaskets.
  • To reactivate the service line after the meter installation, it is good practice to have a cold water faucet partially open.
  • Open the service line valve slightly to allow for any air in the system to be purged through the open cold water faucet. Once all air is purged from the system, turn off the faucet and check the water meter and appurtenances for any leaks. Clean all connections with a dry cloth and re-check for any visible moisture.
  • Be sure to turn the supply line valve completely on.
  • Take a few moments to run some water in the dwelling to verify that the meter is registering and flowing in the proper direction.

In a new meter installation;

  • Turn water supply line off as noted above.
  • A new water meter installation will require additional meter adapters that are available in various types and sizes depending on service pipe material and meter sizes. Examples of various meter accessories are meter setters, meter couplings and meter flanges. NOTE: Check on local codes, check valves are often required as part of the meter installation.
  • Before installing the new meter, always run the water to flush the service line at a slow rate to ensure the line is free of any rust or sediment.
  • Check the water meter for proper direction of flow. The meter will have some kind of flow direction indicator located on the top or sides of the meter. Then install the new meter and rubber gaskets.
  • For proper installation, never use a wrench to start the thread connections. Always start the meter connections by hand to make sure that the connections are not cross threaded.
  • In most cases, connection seals with rubber gaskets are made by hand tightening the meter adapters and then completing the leak tight seal using a wrench, typically all that is needed after hand tightening is an additional quarter turn to seal the gaskets.
  • To reactivate the service line after the meter installation, it is good practice to have a cold water faucet partially open.
  • Open the service line valve slightly to allow for any air in the system to be purged through the open cold water faucet. Once all air is purged from the system, turn off the faucet and check the water meter and appurtenances for any leaks. Clean all connections with a dry cloth and re-check for any visible moisture.
  • Turn the supply line valve completely on.
  • Take a few moments to run some water in the dwelling to verify that the meter is registering and flowing in the proper direction.

We can assist with making the right choices that work best for your metering decisions. By knowing what you need to do to install a new water meter, you can ensure that the job is done properly the first time with no damage to the system or meter. So which meter is the best one for your situation? Should you stick with a manual read meter or one that is AMR/AMI compatible? What if you're replacing an older meter and the new one doesn't fit correctly? No matter what your question is, Team EJP is here to help. Please feel free to contact us today for more information or with any questions.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Water Meter Test Bench Systems. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.