OT: home water treatment purification systems

[hemi68charger]

Hello gang...
Well, another home question..... Does anyone have a water filtration/purification system at their house? I had a gent come over yesterday and give us his spiel... Well, I have to say, it was enlightening. I knew there seems to be an increased amount of chlorine in our tap water and of course, living on the gulf coast, a higher than normal concentration of diluted calcium carbonate..  We did the experiment of washing one's hands with the untreated water and the treated water and yes, there was a difference. The soap was totally gone with the treated water and not with the untreated water. Of course, the treated water had that "slippery" feeling, but that's because of the skin oils not being cleansed from the chlorine. The other benefit seems to the the effect on our glass, granite and piping in terms of lower limestone concentrations...

If indeed the chlorine content is high, this could explain as well the sensitivity of my baby's skin and how is irritates her to no end some times...

What's all's input...  The process is the ionization of the water supply before it comes into the house...  If I go with them, they will be installing a free drinking water charcoal filtration system under the kitchen sink...

Thanks..

[Charger74]

We have one that we rent from Crystal Water.  I like it a lot.  Takes a bit to get used to but overall I've noticed this.  First drinking water is much better tasting, even better than most bottled water in my opinion.  Dishes, clothes and yourself seem cleaner and don't use quite as much water to rinse stuff off with. 

Where you say your living I highly recommend one.  I will help keep your pipes cleaner from calcium build up and extend the life of your water heater.

[bordin34]

We did the opposite. In North Jersey the water is insanely hard, so we put in a water softener. It does make you feel slimey at first and takes more water to rinse things. Also we put in a Reverse Osmosis filtration thing for our drinking water.

[FJMG]

I did the same as Bordin34. I was told that all drinking water that is filtered (under-sink charcoal or R.O.) should be stored in a refrigerator.  Some experts claim that if you do not store the filtered water in the refrigerator you should install an ultraviolet setup (supposedly kills the bacteria that builds up in the filters).

[hemi68charger]

I did the same as Bordin34. I was told that all drinking water that is filtered (under-sink charcoal or R.O.) should be stored in a refrigerator.  Some experts claim that if you do not store the filtered water in the refrigerator you should install an ultraviolet setup (supposedly kills the bacteria that builds up in the filters).

That's a good point.............. Maybe I need to ask about that...........   

[bordin34]

Our filtered water is stored in a tank under the sink that looks like a blue propane tank for a grill .

[hemi68charger]

Our filtered water is stored in a tank under the sink that looks like a blue propane tank for a grill .

They provide that too.. That's the charcoal filtration for organic matter whereas outside is for the metals and calcium....

T

[FJMG]

   My water is also stored that way (typical R.O. setup otherwise the setup cannot keep up with demend) except that I fill my water jug and put it in the fridge. The only time I use the water directly out of the tap is for coffee or tea (I have drank it straight from the tap and I am not dead yet, at least I don't think so).  I am no expert on this by any means, I was just told to do this by the installer.

[Big Lebowski]

  I worked for Culligan water for 7 years, the R/O units are the best but they're expensive ($700) but they come with a lifetime warranty. You can buy the $200 model at Costco, etc, but get a TDS meter (total dissolved solids). Good R/O water should test between 10ppm. to 20ppm. of the total dissolved solids. Some bottled water tests at 80-90 ppm (ok) , and Tap water tests at 300-400ppm.(bad). The R/O tank keeps the water fresh, the bacteria talk is a load of crap.
   Water softeners can be used with salt or potassium for skin problems. For chlorine problems, have an extra carbon tank installed on the soft water outlet. Lots of food retailers use this for drinking water since R/O's are $$$
  R/O tank slow? empty it out and put 4 and ONLY 4 lbs. of air in it, don't make me say why, you'll figure it out.
     One last thing...a cheap carbon filter only makes bad water taste good, don't get one, and don't drink distilled water (0ppm.) because it robs your body of its minerals.