Turbid or Discolored Water
Turbid water is an observable characteristic of water and is measured by the amount of light that is scattered by material in the water when a light is shined through it. The higher the intensity of scattered light, the higher the turbidity. Material that causes water to be turbid include clay, silt, and very tiny inorganic and organic matter. Also, algae, dissolved colored organic compounds, plankton and other microscopic organisms can cause this.. Higher levels of turbidity can sometimes be caused by water main breaks in public water supplies. For a link to the Lynnfield Center District Water webpage, see https://lcwd.us/your-water/.
Sediment Filters
EXCESSIVE TURBIDITY
Excessive turbidity, discolor or cloudiness in drinking water is aesthetically unappealing, and may potentially represent a health concern. Turbidity can provide food and shelter for pathogens. If not removed, the causes of high turbidity can promote regrowth of pathogens in the water, leading to waterborne disease outbreaks. The particles of turbidity provide “shelter” for microbes by reducing their exposure to attack by disinfectants. Microbial attachment to particulate material has been considered to aid in microbe survival. Fortunately, traditional water treatment processes have the ability to effectively remove turbidity when operated properly. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
SEDIMENT WATER FILTER CARTRIDGES
As their name implies, these are for removing sediment (particulate matter) from the water supply. The micron rating of the filter designates removal capacity of particles at or greater than a specified size. Also, capacity is often expressed in terms of useful life before it needs replacement. Specifying a micron rating that is too small may cause an unacceptable drop in water pressure. Specifying a micron rating that is not small enough may produce less than optimal results in removing sediment.
20″ Five Micron Filter
Sediment filters are important because sediment can be abrasive to all of your water using appliances and can also negatively affect other types of water filtration or water softening equipment that you may have installed or are planning to install in your home or other facility. Removing sediment is also a good step in providing better drinking water, although not the only step if a higher level of purity is desired. For more on high quality drinking water, see the link at http://reverse-osmosis/
CARBON WATER FILTER CARTRIDGES
These filters use activated carbon to remove chemicals (such as chlorine, volatile organics and others) and some bad tastes and odors from water. Carbon filters also protect reverse osmosis purification systems by removing chlorine. Reverse osmosis membranes are negatively affected by chlorine.. Water passes through activated carbon, which is porous, trapping certain particles that are attracted to the porous material. This process is known as adsorption. At some point, adsorption capacity is exceeded and the filter must be changed in order to be effective. As with sediment water filters, the micron rating and size of the filter must be matched to the specific situation.
Sediment & Carbon Filtration
In situations where there is high water usage and frequent cartridge filter change-outs doesn’t make sense, a point of entry filter vessel (as seen above) may be the solution. These systems do not require the frequency of change-outs that cartridge filters do and have the ability to automatically clean themselves, extending the life of the media inside the tank. Another example would be if your town supplied water is high in chlorine and you wish to eliminate it from your water supply. A point of entry carbon water filter will have enough capacity to last much longer and also remove more of the chlorine due to longer “contact time” that the water has with the filter.
H2O Care is an established, full service water filtration and testing organization originally formed in 1989 with offices in Middleton, Stow, and Lakeville MA. See our published articles in Water Technology Magazines at http://h2ocare.com/publications. Contact us at service@h2ocare.com or 800-539-1100.