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Photograph of  this antiquated laundry sink with several unsanitary plumbing violations in view.Water Chlorinators & Charcoal Filters
Use of Chlorine Treatment Systems for Contaminated Drinking Water

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Water chlorination systems for buildings: here we explain how to install, use, & repair or maintain drinking water chlorinators or chlorine injection systems for correcting unsanitary or unsatisfactory drinking water.

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Chlorinators with Charcoal Filters for Water Purification

Photo of a water chlorinatorA typical very effective treatment system for water contaminated by a persistent source bacterial contamination involves the injection of chlorine into the water supply, a holding tank to permit sufficient exposure time and concentration for the chlorine to do its work, and a post-processing charcoal filter to remove the chlorine from the water as it leaves the system.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Besides bacteria what else will a chlorinator remove from drinking water?

Chlorine treatment water purification systems will also remove modest levels of sulphur, sulphur generating bacteria,  and other odors.

If the water has a high level of sediment, pre-filtering may be necessary to avoid clogging the charcoal with debris. There is an operating cost as the charcoal filters need to be changed periodically.

Also see WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT DISINFECTION - separate article describing the requirement to disinfect water softeners, filters, and other water handling equipment.

Above our photograph shows the mixing and holding tank into which chlorine (or bleach solution) is injected for well water disinfection. The water holding tank is intended to provide sufficient contact time for the chlorine injected into the water so that it can adequately kill microorganisms.

Keep in mind that chlorine or other disinfection methods alone simply are intended to kill living pathogens. They do not remove odors, minerals or other un-wanted ingredients that may be found in some water supplies.

Chlorine injection system pump for well water disinfection (C) Daniel Friedman at left the photograph shows a typical chlorine injection pump used on an automatic chlorine injection system for water disinfection.

Chlorine injection pumps may be activated by water usage or by a clock or timer and must be able to withstand the corrosivity of the disinfectant.

OPINION: A water treatment specialist will often test your water at no charge in order to develop a profile of the contaminants or aesthetic contaminants in water and thus to recommend a specific water treatment system.

This "free water test" service is a great deal for building owners and buyers so long as they realize that the water treatment company wants to sell water treatment equipment.

The building owner where this water chlorination system was installed preferred to make his own frequent tests of the chlorine level in the building water supplyh. He was using a swimming pool test kit to check for residual chlorine levels in the water holding tank (photo at below left).

See CHLORAMINE TESTS, WATER for some better suggestions.

Some of our readers indicate that they were mistrustful of calling a company that sells water treatment equipment to ask for advice.

Water chlorine level testing using a pool test kit (C) InspectAPedia.comAlthough we have encountered a few aggressive sales people, we have never found a water treatment company professional who gave dishonest advice about what was found in drinking water and what water treatment options can be provided.

Only a very foolish water salesman would be dishonest about what's in the water, but some companies may be reluctant to outline all of the treatment alternatives. If you're in doubt have some independent water tests done before spending on a costly system. If we had to live with bacteria in our water supply, this would be our treatment system of choice.

More information on chlorine in water and in septic systems:

see CHLORINE IMPACT on SEPTIC

and also

CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER.

 

Below is a water disinfection system combining a chlorine injection (the small white tube shown in the lower right of the image) and gas & odor (and possibly radon) removal (the large white vents at the top of the water storage tank).

Water purifier, de salinator, chlorinator designed for shipboard use, installed in U.S. home (C) Daniel Friedman

Below we show a water de-salination and disinfection system installed in the basement of a New York home in the U.S. This system was actually designed for shipboard use according to the building owner.

Water purifier, de salinator, chlorinator designed for shipboard use, installed in U.S. home (C) Daniel Friedman

Reverse Osmosis (previously discussed in a prior edition of this article) is also used for water that is high in mineral content, suffers from odor problems or other contaminants and has the feature that additional chemicals such as chlorine are not required.

Details about RO systems are now found

at REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER TREATMENT

This series of articles explains many common water contamination tests for bacteria and other contaminants in water samples. We describe what to do about contaminated water, listing common corrective measures when water test results are unsatisfactory.

We include water testing and water correction measures warnings for home owners and especially for home buyers when certain conditions are encountered, with advice about what to do when these circumstances are encountered.

Home Chlorinator + Charcoal Filter Water Treatment Effectiveness Research


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