BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...

Subject: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: Bobert
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 05:57 PM

Well, seems that the water here up in Pine Grove holler outside of Luray is a tad on the irony side and it jus' don't taste too good so the P-Vine says to me that I goyya find out about a decent and reasonably priced filtration system...

Yeah, I could search the Google-net and spend hours of companies trying to sell me their systems... Maybe even have to give 'um my email address an' then have try to sell me some Russian womanz 'er some Viagra... So, I says, "Hmmmmmmm, I go to my trustiest of sources: The Mudact"....

So here I is yet again askin' fir folks to share their infinant knowledge of water filtartion systems... Rather than endin' up with a Russian girl who wants me to marry here....

So, how 'bout it??? No, not the Ruskie babe....

Slacker Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 06:12 PM

Well, first off, is your water coming from a well or from a city water system? If it's from a well, get it tested for bacteria and mineral content -- check with the County Health Department, who might do it free for nothing.

So, if the water's okay but it's got iron in it, you can trot on over to Sears and buy an under-the-sink filter that'll take the iron right on out. Or you can even have a whole-house filter put in. In either case, you'll have to change the filters every so often. Or get a Pur sits-by-the-sink filter -- we use one and it seems to work okay. Or you can put in a water softener and a reverse-osmosis system for drinking water if sodium is gonna bug you medically.

Of these options, I'd go for the water softener, WITHOUT the reverse osmosis thingie if possible.

Now, iffen the Health Dept. says, "Holy Crap, Dude! You got enough bacteria in that water to kill off everybody in DC and Richmond to boot!!" you got a much bigger problem and I can't help ya. I ain't gonna take no water you offer me, either.

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 06:17 PM

Since filtration requirements need to be pretty much tailored to the local supply, your best bet would be to:

1. Talk to your neighbors about what they use.

2. When you find a neighbor with a system that works pretty good..

2a. See if the neighbor has an outside tap that's on the system.
2b. Get P-vine some dark clothing and a little red wagon and a bucket.
2c. Let P-vine sleep in late so she'll be ready to go when it gets good and dark.
2d. ....

Aw shuckies... I'm seein' a problem with this already.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 06:50 PM

There's always a little hitch, isn't there, John. Human beings can be so predictable!

I'd start with the Health Department, as Rap said. After that, you'll know a whole lot more, including what other metals are in there...

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: bobad
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 07:15 PM

You can also inquire of the local plumbers, if iron is in the local water source they will surely be aware of it as it tends to gum up water pumps, valves, pipes etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: Amos
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 07:22 PM

Hell, you 'll find what you want. Wired just published an article about a filtration system good enough to let astronauts drink their own pee recycled and it tastes as good as tap water. Or so the author says. It went through about six stages though!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 07:27 PM

I just went to Sears and got a gadget for my line to the refrig. water. $10, replace twice a year.

You can get a small thing for the kitchen faucet, or a BIG thing that attaches under the sink...or a HUGE thing that does the whole house....I am a minimalist, partly 'cause I'm poor & cheap.

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 08:07 PM

Country water does not do well with Brita or faucet filtration, as there is far more sediment than these are designed to handle. Unless you WANT to change the filter every day, and can afford to.

For purification, most people in our area are betting on UV (I think that's what it is) as opposed to chem/salt purification.

I reckon this is a good question to take to your neighbors-- what are people using in your area, and why?

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 08:14 PM

yeah...I think that's the first step, bobert....I didn't realize there was significantly more sediment.

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 08:21 PM

Many particulates. Special!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: Bobert
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 08:31 PM

Ahhhhh, first of all since Amos brought it up, is the space shuttle on city water 'er a well???

Nevermind that one...

We got a well. It's real deep. Like 5 'er 700 feet deep an' sposed to go down to the artisan stream which is unner the ground that ain't got no fish in it...

It has been recently testercated and the Health Depratment says it's safe... Fine, let them drink it!!!

I don't like them filters that sit on the counter and also don't want to go thru the expense and hazzle of puttin' in a major unner the house water purification system so I reckon I'z lookin' fir somethin in between...

Clue: the washin' machine cold water inlet filter gets stopped up 'bout every 10 loads with some black stuff that looks like pepper but ain't...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 09:35 PM

We get exposed to extremes of water quality when we go camping. Most of it is "safe" enough and the locals drink it straight, but when you're new to an area the taste is often a bit "off." We've done okay with a Britta pitcher for drinking, coffe, and ice cubes; but you'd probably want something better for home.

Mother Earth News magazine used to have occasional articles about the Rube Goldberg methods people used, so if you're looking for something cheap that you can brag about to the neighbors you might see if they have a website with archives. (There's that nasty "do some research thing.)

Running your water through a softener will remove some large particulates - sometimes, and most areas with high iron have hard enough water that you may save some on laundry soap. It sounds, though, like you need a system specifically for filtering - maybe in addition to a softener.

You are - according to the pros - likely to get more consistent performance and lower after-purchase maintenance costs with a complete system than with add-on devices.

I'm a great fan of DIY, but in many cases it's just as cheap to buy a complete system and let the guys that sell them do an install for you. The problem with this approach is finding the dealers/installers who can be trusted to give you an honest deal. About the only realistic way of doing that is to find a few locals willing to talk about what sort of deals they got. That often comes down to making a list of the ones they'll talk about and then picking from the ones that aren't on the list. People often seem more willing to brag about how bad the deal was than to give you honest recommendations when they got a good deal.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 09:49 PM

That black stuff could be either a low water level in the well.

Or it might be a lack of any sediment filter down cellar where it oughhter be, between the well and any holding or hot water tanks.... if that's the case your water heater will burn out quicker than it oughter because it's got too much crud around the element building up and letting the element overheat itself. That is a standard item on many country propertiers, that sed tank. Looks like a huge scuba tank kinda thingie, the ones I've seen? Or crud settling in a holding tank that could need to be flushed. What the heck DO you have down there?!?!?

Or it could be that your pipes are the old fashioned ones and there is a long-term buildup of corrosion inside the pipe ("sludge") that has not cleared, from the place being empty/unused too long. We get it in the upstairs bathroom on the sink and tub water, hot or cold, if they have not been run for a long time with good water pressure. Does the grit/crap smell OK? I mean, not nasty? Does it run clear if you let it run a bit? Do you get it elsewhere in the house, other faucets?

Tell all.

Don't make me come over there. You don't need a plumber, you need a farm bell. :~)

ASK THE NEIGHBORS, eh?

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: open mike
Date: 29 Jul 05 - 03:54 AM

hey! I jaut happen to be a water filter salesman i mean woman.

I drink water right out of the stream so i have a solid carbon block
system that is guar-an-double-damn-teed to remove giardia and metals
and asbestos, and chlorine and other stuff--chunks and stuff.

the multi pure has been great for years i am a tru believer.
I have quite a few customers who swear by them (not at them@!)
too. There are several different models..some sit on the
counter and have a connector that attaches to the faucet..
sort of cumbersome...and others that go under the counter
with a spigot of their own that can either go in the spot
designed for the sprayer..or in a new hole that you make for it.

I could possibly send you one to try to see if it does what you
need. plus if your area seems to have lots of folks with
similar conditions, you could become the filter sales person
for Luray!!

I wouldn't dream of living without mine!!
you can google multi pure for more info.
Laurel--solid carbon block point of use filters are the way to go!

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Jul 05 - 06:51 PM

We bought a whole-house system years ago, and we're happy with it. Sorry I can't recommend it of the top of my head; I know the name of the local company (and the local guy) but not the manufacturer. I guess all I can do is repeat the advice to ask around locally.

Our city water in New Orleans, taken from the very ass-end of the Mississippi River and then chemically treated to a fare-thee-well, has never been a serious health hazard. However, taste and sometimes even color can be, um, inconsistent.

We're being told that the local tap water is getting better and better these days ~ some civic boosters are even selling bottled New Orleans city tap water to tourists ~ but I still do not regret having put in the purification system. When it's past time to change the filter or add salt, we can taste the chlorine in the heavily-treated river water, and it sure makes for some nasty coffee!

When we can't or won't replace the filter and/or salt right away, we take advantage of our new-ish refrigerator's filtered-ice-water-through-the-freezer-door feature.

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: Biskit
Date: 30 Jul 05 - 01:43 PM

Bobert,
We, out here in Arizony land have always had hard water, then the developers overbuilt for the area and we started getting Colorado River water (C.A.P. central Arizona Project water) which is the most vile tasting stuff you could ever imagine. blew everyone's plumbing to bits! (really!) anyway we tried reverse osmosis and thismis and thatsmis, finally we found KINETICO Systems you can use rock salt but we use potassium pellets instead (easier on the personal plumbin') and that seems too have fixed the problem. We were changing every faucet in the house about every 1 to 1&1/2 years we installed the system 4 years ago now and not a single problem since. I hope this helps.
~Biskit~

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 30 Jul 05 - 03:08 PM

Most of the people I've known who were on well water in my area haven't had much more problem with grit and gravel than the ones on the city pipes. If the neighbors don't talk about it, it's possible it's just sludge in your system.

It is possible that your existing system just hasn't been maintained and you'd get some improvement just by flushing it or replacing fairly minor existing components.

As mentioned by WYSIWYG, you may not have an inlet filter, or it may be loaded up. You probably also have an accumulator (your water tank, usually) that's maybe built up a load of crud and needs to be flushed. Hot water tanks may need to be blown out to get rid of deposits. If you've been running "abnormally cruddy" water through them, the pipes themselves might benefit from a back-flush. Many well systems, even where you don't drive the pipe, have a "sand point" at the bottom that after a while may break up, and it could be the source of your minerals.

It's back to the old "local advice is best." Just don't "backflush" anything back into the well.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Water Filtration Systems Question??...
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jul 05 - 03:43 PM

I'd agree about grit and gravel you can see and feel, but there is much more tiny sediment and organic matter in country water (well or spring), and it has been known to completely overwhelm point-of-use (faucet) units. Anyway, I can't see a countertop unit handling the laundry issue.....

Some of this is "get used to it" kinda stuff-- naturally you are both feeling some degree of dislocation from what had been home for a long time. Be careful about spending too much money on any one dicomfort until you have a better sense what you can live with in the new environment-- hate to see you spend it all now fixing something you could have gotten used to, and then have your basement flood out and no bucks left to deal with THAT.

~Susan