Water supply

[Anonymous]

We have just bought a cottage in north cornwall.The water supply is from a spring on neighbouring farmland.The previous owner installed an ultra violet filter.We have had the water tested and it is "highly acidic".We have been told that this will damage pipework within the cottage-what causes the high acidity and will this effect the taste?We have been quoted £800 to fit a neutraliser,is this reasonable or necessary?Please can anyone advise,thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

All to do with geology. Also known as 'soft'. People have been drinking it forever. You won't need a water softener and you won't need so much soap. Enjoy.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a water supply from a spring and it's fairly acidic. In the loft there's a red expansion tank to provide a store of pressure, I believe and even out the variations in pressure when the pump switches on. The water has always been peaty coloured and metallic tasting.

Recently (Christmas Day to be exact) I was in the kitchen and was showered with water from the loft. On leaping up the loft ladder, the water was peeing from the bottom of the expansion tank.

After clearing up the water and removing the tank, there was a pinhole rusted in the bottom of the tank. I mended this with a nut and bolt (from my landrover hood - not many nuts and bolts around and I wanted to finish cooking the goose) and a bit of bicycle tyre repair patch to act as rubber washer. While mending it, I cleared out the thick rusty gunk from the bottom of the pressure tank.

Anyway the repair held and lo, the rusty colour and metallic taste have gone (for the moment). After talking to a plumber, it appears the red tanks are for central heating only and I was lucky to get the five years life out of it that I did. I now have a shiny stainless steel tank ready to be fitted that should last forever.

I'm just thnkful it burst while I was standing underneath it and not while I was away, otherwise it would have been much more serious.

Anyway, point of that long ramble was that, yes, acidic water can rot some components (e.g. my red expansion tank) but there are stainless alternatives suitable for "aggressive water" as my new tanks instructions put it. My plumber says the rest of the copper pipe is perfectly safe.

Matt

 

[Anonymous]

>The previous owner installed an ultra violet filter.
That's not a filter. It kills bacteria. A filter removes suspended solid particles.

>We have had the water tested and it is "highly acidic".
Who told you that? It wasn't the same person trying to sell you a neutraliser?

You'd need to get the water analysed to ensure it is suitable for consumption. I think the local water supply company will do this for a small charge and they won't necessarily have any interest in flogging you goods or services. The water may be drawn from contaminated land. Rainwater will usually absorb some carbon dioxide from the atmosphere making it very slightly acidic. In hard water areas the water will then dissolve some limestone or chalk, neutralising it & making it hard.

>We have been told that this will damage pipework within the cottage

Plastic pipework is good and won't suffer from corrosion.

>what causes the high acidity

Don't know, you need a chemist to tell you what's in the water. Usually CO2, as in fizzy drinks, but less so.

You can buy filter housings or water softener resin vessels which you can fill with your own media, typically activated charcoal granules or sand. I'd think one of these filled with limestone chippings or similar would neutralize some acids. I'm not a water treatment specialist, so you'd need to check this.

>We have been quoted £800 to fit a neutraliser,is this reasonable or necessary?
Sounds a lot, but I don't know what's being offered.

 

[Anonymous]

PS

Water treatment forum link below, Try asking there in the hope of a better informed answer.


Derwent Water Treatment Forum

 

[Anonymous]

PPS

Sorry about this.
See "What is a pH neutralising filter?", near the bottom of the page on the link below, it seems to answer your question. You can get a neutraliser from Derwent, if necessary.


Filtration Plant - FAQ

 

[Anonymous]

Try talking to Steve Saxby he's near Torrington so not that far from you. SCL Water: 01271 858857.

He is sorting my boreholes and water supply out.

 

[Anonymous]

We are in a similar position. I haven't had the water tested, but there is a lot of green staining in the bath and sink and the water goes green when you add soap.

I assume this means the copper in the pipework is dissolving. I'm not tempted to spend any money on new equipment as we have the option of getting mains water connected.

I am tempted to get mains connected for drinking etc and keep the well supply for the toilet/bath etc.

Any suggestions?

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

What you are suggesting if your water is not pure or recycled is a grey water system, search that on the internet and you will find good information.

The Centre of Alternative Technology at Machynlleth is well worth a day trip to.


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