6 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying a Water ...

13 May.,2024

 

6 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying a Water ...

Water is the most commonly used laboratory reagent; however, the importance of water quality is often overlooked. Because impurities can be a critical factor in many research experiments, water purity ranks high in importance. There are several types of impurities and contaminants in water such as particulates, organics, inorganics, microorganisms, and pyrogens that can adversely affect results.

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Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Water Purification System

  1. What is your application and what type of water is needed? Type I, II, or III? Will you require ultra-low TOC lab water?
  2. What is your expected volume usage? How much is required per batch/day?
  3. What is the source of your current water? Are there special requirements for delivery?
  4. What is your budget? (This will determine the technology). What is the cost of ownership over five years?
  5. Where do you need the system in the lab(s)? Consider: top of counter, under counter or wall mounting the unit. What is the overall footprint/real estate of the system(s) and components?
  6. What kind of warranty and service is provided? Is the system manufactured to quality standards and which ones? Is this a pharmaceutical application that needs to be validated?

ASTM standard water purity used by survey respondents:

ASTM Type I61%ASTM Type II26%ASTM Type III9%Other4%

Water purification system components used by survey respondents:

Water quality monitor56%Storage tank54%Dispensing points52%UV sterilizer45%Polisher38%Distiller31%Water softener20%Other5%

Nearly 51% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new water purification system. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:

Replacement of an aging system

46%

Upgrading existing equipment

30%

Setting up a new lab

11%

Addition to existing systems, increase capacity

11%

First time purchase

2%

Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a water purification system:

Performance of product77%Durability of product77%Low maintenance / easy to clean74%Ease of use74%Availability of supplies and accessories73%Value for price paid71%Low operating costs64%Service and support64%Total cost of ownership60%Warranties47%

For more information on water purification systems, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/water-purification

See previous survey results:

Home Water Filtration Systems FAQ - EcoWater Systems

TYPES OF WATER PROBLEMS TREATED

What are the most common issues with tap water?

Most of us grew up drinking water straight from the hose outside when we were kids, and we seem to be fine. So what’s the big deal with drinking tap water? Tap water contains many harmful substances that may have long-term health effects. Some of the most common problems with tap water are as follows:

Arsenic is a natural metalloid chemical often found in residential tap water. In large amounts, it can pose serious health complications. 

Arsenic poisoning can cause:

  • Partial paralysis

  • Numbness in hands and feet

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Nausea

  • Stomach pain

  • Discoloration of the skin

  • Blindness

Consuming large amounts of arsenic found in tap water is also called arsenicosis. Arsenicosis can be fatal, and it can kill a person quickly.

Chlorine is a chemical element often used in swimming pools because it can kill germs and bacteria. However, when consumed in large amounts can be extremely dangerous. It produces corrosive acids when it enters the body, and the following health issues can occur:

  • Chronic cough

  • Breathing difficulty

  • Chronic sore throat

  • Chest tightness

  • Airway irritation

Fluoride is a mineral present in the teeth, bones, air, rocks, plants, soil, and water. In excess, fluoride can cause fluorosis (a condition that changes your tooth enamel) and severe skeletal problems.

Mercury, copper, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and chromium are all heavy metals found in tap water. When taken for a long period, you could develop Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. You can also develop brain deformities.

Herbicides and pesticides are used to control insects and unwanted plants, and these chemicals often end up in tap water. These chemicals can irritate your eyes and skin and cause your allergies to worsen.

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Water softening is another common problem with tap water. Although this process is meant to remove heavy irons in plumbing, it takes away minerals that are needed for the body and replaces them with sodium chloride. Sodium chloride can cause the following problems when ingested:

  • Respiratory problems

  • Convulsions

  • Hypernatremia (excessive thirst)

  • Vomiting

  • Gastrointestinal tract irritation

Nitrates are inorganic compounds usually found in processed meats and used as preservatives. Nitrates occur naturally in the water, air, and soil as well. Excess nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder that can lead to a lack of oxygen supply in the blood cells.

Radon is a natural gas found in the air, and it releases into tap water when it passes through rocks with uranium. Radon can put you at risk for stomach and internal organ cancers.

Manganese is often found naturally in ground water, but high levels of manganese can affect our kidneys and our reproduction systems.

Diethyl Phthalate is a colorless liquid used to make flexible plastics. Consuming tap water contaminated with diethyl phthalate can lower sperm count, disrupt sex hormones, and alter genital development.

Bacteria, like E. coli, is one of the most common things found in tap water. E. coli can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal tenderness, pain, cramping, and diarrhea. Legionella is another common bacteria found in tap water that can cause issues with the lungs and localized infections. Salmonella, another common bacteria in tap water, can cause food poisoning, typhoid fever, and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the intestines and stomach).

Learn How Safe Drinking Water is in These Cities:

Fresno

Bakersfield

How do I know if I have hard water?

The hardness of water is determined by how much calcium and magnesium it contains. There are several signs you can look for to tell if you have hard water:

  • Spots on your glasses and silverware when they come out of the dishwasher.
  • Mineral stains on your clothes left behind after washing them in the washing machine.
  • Feeling a film-like texture on your hands after watching them, requiring you to have to wash longer.
  • Lower water pressure or low flow rate throughout your home.

Why does my water taste bad?

Your water should be both tasteless and odorless. If you have foul-tasting water, there are several factors that could be contributing to the bad taste. 

Chlorine – Usually not a concern, could be leftover from the treatment process of making water safe to drink.

Petroleum/Gasoline/Turpentine – Gasoline, paints, and other manufacturing products are often made with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which pose many health risks. If your water tastes or smells like these substances, it may be contaminated by an underground storage tank that is leaking gas, paint, or other harmful products into the water supply. Water that smells like this is not common, and you should contact your local health agency immediately.

Metals – Could be from traces of the metals from your pipes. Although iron is usually not a concern, too much copper could lead to copper poisoning.

Sulphur/Rotten Eggs – Caused by hydrogen sulfide in the water. Hydrogen sulfide comes from a bacteria in the water or somewhere in your water system.

Fish/Moldy Earth – There may be solid organic matter in your water that is starting to decay. You can do a simple test to see where the matter may be located. Put some water into a glass and swirl it. If the smell disappears after swirling, the matter may be in your sink drain. If it remains after swirling, the decay may be in the water supply itself.

Salt – Usually not a concern. Could be just that there are naturally higher levels of salt in your water supply.

Do water filtration systems remove chlorine?

The short answer is… only some of them. While most do not remove chlorine from the water, you can remove up to 98% of chlorine from your water by using a reverse osmosis water filtration system. Another effective way of getting chlorine out of your water is by using a granular activated carbon (GAC) system. However, while this type of filter is effective at removing chlorine, it is not effective at removing chloramines. Chloramines are similar to chlorine, but they last much longer in the water supply and produce fewer byproducts.

Chlorine is often used by the city’s water filtration system for disinfection, but ingesting too much chlorine can be damaging to your health. You can schedule a free water test to see if you have chlorine in your water.

Do water filtration systems remove nitrates?

If you get nitrates in your water, they can be costly to remove. You’ll need to use ion exchange, reverse osmosis, or distillation to remove them.

Ion exchange works by removing materials from the water through water softening and water deionization. 

Reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane that filters out unwanted molecules and contaminants.

Distillation filters and purifies your water by relying on evaporation.

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