Treatment Options For Acidic Water

It doesn’t matter where your water comes from; there is always a possibility it could be acidic water.  Both municipal and well water can become acidic.

What are the causes of acid water?  There are several culprits.  Acid water is caused by agricultural chemicals, pesticides, & herbicides, and microorganisms in the soil.  Surprisingly rainwater is considered highly acidic.  Our atmosphere isn’t as pristine as it used to be.  These contaminants cause the pH water drop below normal levels.  Good drinking water has a pH level of around 7.0.  A standard water testing kit, available at most hardware stores, can determine the pH level.  These kits are available at most hardware stores.

How can someone tell if the water is acidic? Most people say acid water tastes sour. Do your fixtures have blue-green stains on them? That is the copper reacting to the acid water.

Acid water can cause problems with your health.  Acid water in high amounts can cause:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Chills
• Weakness
• Organ damage
• Kidney stones
• Gallstones
• Extensive neurological damage

Health concerns aside, acid water can be detrimental to a home’s plumbing.  Most homes have copper plumbing, and acid water will dissolve copper.  Acid water can erode an entire plumbing system leaving replacement being the only option.  Ask any plumber about replacement, and they will tell you it is tremendously expensive.

Acid water treatment chemicals and equipment are a requirement for treating a whole house situation.  Most plumbers and water treatment professionals recommend chemicals as an initial step.  There are several reasonably priced options.

Calcite

Calcite is the most widely used in whole house acid water treatment.  The calcite is created from marble, crushed into tiny particles.  Calcite has an elevated amount of calcium and is high in alkalinity to bring the water to a healthy level.  An acid neutralizer tank is available; but, it needs to be placed at your home’s water point entry, ensuring all water is treated.

Magnesium Oxide

If your home’s water is slightly acidic, Magnesium Oxide can take care of the problem.  If the water test measures a 5.5, this is the best option.  Magnesium neutralizes all the carbon dioxide in the water. The manufacturer cautions again using too much.  This would make the acid water turn to alkaline water, which has its own set of problems.  See packaging or a water treatment professional for exact levels of each.

Soda Ash and Caustic Soda

A chemical injection system uses a pump to put dissolved soda ash through the home’s point of water entry. This option can be pricey.

This article is a brief explanation of the choices for water treatment.  The best place to start looking for treatment options is by contacting the Atlantic Coast Water Clinic.  Our company has been in business for nearly 40 years.  We are proud to service the counties of Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River in Florida.  Our office staff will be happy to help customers with making appointments and answering questions.  Our water specialists are the finest in the area.  There are well trained and will handle any water problem you may have.  If you believe you have an acidic water problem, please call us, and we will test your water at no charge to you.

Atlantic Coast Water Clinic

3181 SE Dixie Highway,

Stuart, Fl 34997

www.atlanticcoastwater.com

(772) 283-4767