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Information on Acid Neutralizers for Home Well Water Treatment Systems

On private water systems, one of theproperties of Calcite, increasing the
most common causes of corrosion isability to correct low pH.
acidic water. Water that has a pH valueHow to Install Calcite Neutralizer
of less than 7.0 is considered to beFilters
acidic. The ideal pH for most domesticCalcite neutralizer filters are easy to
supplies is between 7.0 and 8.0 on theinstall. They need to be located in the
pH scale.piping after the pressure tank on a well
Signs of acid water are corrosion ofwater system, but before the copper
fixtures, pinhole leaks in plumbing, andhousehold piping. If the pressure tank
blue staining (from copper pipes) oris piped with copper, it is best to
rust staining (from iron pipes). Oftenremove any copper piping before the
these waters are great for drinking orneutralizer and replace with PVC, PEX,
household use, but are low in bufferingor stainless steel piping, in order to
calcium minerals, and contain dissolvedavoid the corrosive effects of the
carbon-dioxide gas, which can cause aacidic water.
low pH and acid condition. WithoutNeutralizer filter tanks for home water
treatment, these waters can besystems typically measure 10 or 12
contaminated with copper, lead and otherinches in diameter and 48 to 54 inches
metals from piping, fixtures andin height. The tanks have a center tube
appliances, turning good water intoabout 1 inch in diameter, called the
contaminated drinking water.distributor tube, which have a screen at
Treatment is accomplished bythe bottom of the tube. When the
neutralizing the water with the use ofneutralizer tanks are assembled, the
an automatic neutralizer filter. Thesedistributor tube is first placed in the
are water filter tanks filled with atank and some tape or a cap put on the
media blend of calcium and magnesiumtop of the tube to prevent media or
carbonates made from naturally occurringgravel from entering the tube when the
minerals. This media, one brand of whichfilter is built. Approximately 10 to
is called Calcite, slowly dissolves into20 pounds of aquarium gravel 1/4 inch in
the water, raising the pH and making itdiameter is first poured into the tank
less corrosive.to cover the bottom distributor screen.
More mineral can quickly and easily beThe calcite media, which looks like
added as needed to the filter tank. Thiswhite sand, is then poured in until the
is typically done once per year for mostdepth of the media reaches about
residential applications. No specialtwo-thirds of the tank.
tools are required. This type ofThe top one third of the tank is left as
neutralizer also acts as a filterfree space. This free space allows the
removing sediment and small amounts ofmedia to expand when the neutralizer is
iron.backwashed.
Calcite MediaNeutralizer filters need to be connected
Calcite is a crushed and screened whiteto a drain to allow the filters to
marble media which can inexpensively bebackwash. The backwashing is done
used to neutralize acidic or low pHautomatically based on a simple timer
waters to a neutral, less corrosivetypically once every one to two weeks.
effluent.This flushes out any sediment or iron
Calcite is a naturally occurring calciumthat the neutralizer filter has trapped
carbonate media. One of the advantagesand keeps the calcite clean and properly
of Calcite is that it will only dissolvesettled so it can filter and raise the
until the water reaches a neutral pH. ItpH in an optimum manner.
does not over-correct under normalUp-Flow Neutralizers
conditions.An effective neutralizer filter uses an
Upon contact with Calcite, acidic watersautomatic backwash control valve, which
slowly dissolve the calcium carbonate toallows the owner to have the neutralizer
raise the pH which reduces the potentialtank be automatically cleaned every one
leaching of copper, lead and otherto two weeks.
metals found in typical plumbingIn some cases, no backwash control valve
systems. Periodic backwashing willis used and instead of the water first
prevent packing, reclassify the bed andflowing down through the media and up
maintain high service rates.the distributor tube, the piping is
As the calcium carbonate mediainstalled so the water flows down the
neutralizes the water, it will increasedistributor tube and up through the
hardness and a softener in some raremedia. This is called an "up-flow
cases becomes necessary after theneutralizer" and they are not
neutralizing filter. However this isbackwashed.
unusual and only occurs on water that isThere are some disadvantages to up-flow
very low in hardness and alkalinity.neutraliers despite the lower costs. In
Most homeowners rarely find they need asome cases calcite media can wash out of
softener.the neutralizer and enter the home water
Calcite can be effectively combined withpiping system causing damage. If the
Clack Corosex to combine the high flowwater flow is not sufficient the media
neutralization properties of Corosex,can become solidified in places, causing
along with the slower reacting low flowthe water to bypass the media.



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