Water Categories

• WRAS Information and Guidance Note - Installation of Ion Exchange Water Softeners
  for Systems Supplying Water for Domestic Purposes
• UK Water Treatment Accossiation UKWTA - provides guidance on the installation of ion exchange water softeners
  
  
• Permanent Hard
  • does not lather well
  • leaves scum on a surface
  • containing Calcium and Magnesium
• Temporary Hard
  • leaves scale deosits when heate above 65°C
  • can be problematic for householders
• Soft (acidic)
  • lathers easily
  • dissolves metals
  • less work for plumbers
    
    

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Water Filtration

• Activated Carbon (AC) Water Filters - removes bad taste, odour and harmful bacteria
• Ultraviolet (UV) Water Filters - ONLY kills most bacteria (fish pounds)
• Water Distillation - water is of high quality
  • low filtration capacity
• Sand Filters - used on large scale treatment
  • does not remove sulphates or calcium
• Reverse Osmosis - used in hospitals, breweries and in drive through car wash
  • Desalination - turning sea water into drinking water

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Chemical Treatment

• Algaecide - kills algae, negative for the environment
• Chlorine - cancer-causing agents
• Dry or Muriatic Acid - decreases the pH levels in water
• Soda Ash or Sodium Bicarbonate - increases thepH levels in water
• Central Heating Treatment:
  • Document L
  • must be chemically protected after each fill up the system

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Water Conditioners

Reduces the ability to cause scale (hard water treatment)

• Magnetic Scale Reducer
  • should be added on mains feed water if water has more than 200ppm of Ca
  • effect doesn't last long
• recommended for combination boilers, electric showers
• not suitable for stored water
• Electrolytic - suitable for whole house protection
• Chemical Scale Reducers - the crystals have working life and require to be replaced periodically

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Water Softener



• containing Sodium Zeolites
• treats hard water
• drinking point is directly from the mains
• bypass the softener for WC and standpipes
• BS 6920:2000 - suitability of non-metallic products
• BS EN 14743 - deals with consumption requirements
• Air Gap = 2 x ØDrain Tube or 20mm
• Installation layout:
  
  

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Category 2

• impaired temperature, taste, odour , appearance (CWSC with open vent; water softener; ice maker; fire sprinkler)
• Prevention: EA/EB - Single Check Valve (Verifiable/None-verifiable; reed more)