Water quality
Iron in water
Various forms of iron are found in almost all water sources. When the concentration of iron in water exceeds 0.2-0.3 mg/l, excess iron is often noticeable in everyday life. Rust stains may appear on bathroom fixtures and ceramics, fabrics may change color during washing, there may be an unpleasant smell of iron in the water, the water may take on a metallic taste, and water pressure may decrease due to sediment. Consuming water with a significantly increased iron concentration poses a risk of various diseases and illnesses.
Depending on the amount and type of iron (divalent, trivalent), as well as other chemical compounds (manganese, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide) and other water parameters (water pH, permanganate index), different filters are selected to remove iron from the water. This can be a very simple and standard solution for minor deviations from water quality standards, but in many cases, an individual solution must be adapted based on water tests.
Manganese in water
Manganese is one of the heavy metals that is often found in well water. Most manganese is of natural origin and enters the water from minerals found in rocks. Water saturated with this metal will have an unpleasant taste and smell. In everyday life, we notice blackened plumbing fixtures and sinks. High levels of manganese in water can seriously harm your health, posing a risk of poisoning with this metal and threatening your liver. Removing excess manganese, as well as other metals, from water is a priority for ensuring high-quality drinking water.
In many cases, manganese is found together with excess iron in water, so the methods for removing it are similar to those for removing iron from water. For small amounts of manganese, a modified water softening filter is sometimes sufficient to remove manganese and iron from the water while softening it at the same time.
Ammonia in water
The circumstances surrounding the appearance of ammonia in water are influenced by natural conditions and environmental pollution. The permissible level of ammonium in water is 50 mg/l. A water deironing filter is most commonly used to remove ammonium from water. In most cases, it is sufficient to remove excess iron and manganese from the water, which also removes ammonium from the water. If there are really high levels of ammonium in the water, individual solutions must be chosen to remove it from the water.
If the water is surface water and it is difficult to install a water deironing filter at the inlet, an alternative solution for removing ammonium from drinking water may be drinking water systems. Such drinking water systems ensure that you have the highest quality drinking water in your home or farmstead. Along with ammonium, other heavy metals in the water will also be removed, and the water will be additionally mineralized.
Hydrogen sulfide in water
Removing hydrogen sulfide from water is one of the most common problems in Lithuania. Such water often has the smell of rotten eggs. Detecting hydrogen sulfide in water is very difficult because hydrogen sulfide in gaseous form dissipates very quickly from water. Hydrogen sulfide in water does not pose a significant health risk, but such water is particularly unpleasant to consume.
The most suitable method for removing hydrogen sulfide from water is a water deironing filter. In many cases, a standard solution is sufficient, taking into account that other substances are also removed from the water. A very common problem is when misled customers, attracted by low prices, purchase water softening filters and are faced with an unpleasant smell after the water has been purified. In this case, an additional water deironing filter must be installed to ensure that the water is properly oxidized. If you are faced with the problem of an unpleasant smell remaining after using water filters, please contact us and we will offer you the best solution for your situation.
Hard water
Water hardness depends on the amount of Ca and Mg salts dissolved in the water. It is precisely because of the excess of these salts in the water that limescale deposits form on sinks and bathtubs, visible as white spots. Hard water can damage your household appliances and plumbing. Using hard water for drinking or cooking has no effect on your health, but you may notice a difference in the taste of coffee or tea. Hard water has a much greater negative impact on your skin when you use water for washing. When your skin becomes dry, you need additional measures to care for it.
Water softening is done with special water softening filters. If the water does not contain substances such as iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, or organic matter, this is usually the standard solution for water softening. If the water contains high levels of iron or has an unpleasant rotten egg smell, the first step is to address the issues of high iron levels or unpleasant odors and select the appropriate water filters.
Nitrates and nitrites in water
Nitrates and nitrites are most commonly found in well water. This is the main water quality problem for those who use well water. About 70% of wells have excessive levels of nitrites or nitrates. Since well water is surface water, its quality can be highly dependent on weather conditions and human economic activity. Therefore, we recommend testing the water every 6 months.
According to the standards set by the World Health Organization, the concentration of nitrites in Lithuania should not exceed 0.5 mg/L, and nitrates should not exceed 50 mg/L, while for infants, pregnant women, and the elderly, it should not exceed 10 mg/L. Nitrates and nitrites do not have any specific taste or smell, which is why the quality of frequently consumed water can be very deceptive.
There are several ways to remove nitrates from water. One of them is a modified water softening filter, which, together with lime, can also remove nitrates from water. Before choosing a softening filter, it is very important to test the water in order to accurately select the water softening and nitrate removal load.
Permanganate oxidation in water
The second most common problem with wells is permanganate oxidation in water. Permanganate oxidation often manifests itself in the form of yellowish water. Such water in a well can originate from farms, swamps, lakes, or peat bogs located near the well. Such water can be purified using a special water softening filter with a reinforced organic purification charge. Therefore, it is very important to inform a water management specialist about any yellowish water colour you notice or about any agricultural activities or marshes near the well.
For more information about different types of water filters and their use, see: water filters.