How Water Treatment Works
Minnesota homeowners know that they may have hard water or other water problems. Most Minneapolis St. Paul water problems require a water softener, at a minimum. Learning the basics of how water softeners and other water treatment appliances work can help you communicate better when you talk to a water treatment expert, like those at Atlantis Water Systems. The information below won’t make you an expert, but will give you a better understanding of water treatment systems.
Water Softeners
Hard water is caused, primarily, by calcium and magnesium ions dissolved in the water running through your pipes. Different water suppliers have different levels of calcium and magnesium in their water.
Water softeners work by passing all the water you use through a tank containing specially formulated resin beads. These are covered with a coating of sodium ions, supplied by a renewable supply of salt. The salt is stored in either a separate tank or within a single-tank system. When the calcium and magnesium ions pass over the salt-covered resin, they replace sodium ions on the resin and are trapped on the resin beads. Since the quantities of calcium and magnesium are small, very tiny amounts of salt get dissolved in the water that flows into the pipes in your home.
Eventually, most of the sodium ions on the beads are replaced by calcium and magnesium ions. Then, a regeneration cycle is automatically triggered, on a time-based or metered schedule, depending on the appliance. Strong salt brine is circulated through the beads, and sodium ions from the salt replace the calcium and magnesium ions. Once this is done, the brine is flushed out of the system and down the drain.
During the regeneration cycle, the water softener appliance is bypassed, and untreated water continues to flow into your home. You’re never without water. And when the regeneration is complete, the softener goes back to work, supplying your home with soft water. From time to time, you add salt to the system to replace the salt that is used. Except for the salt replacement, the entire operation is automatic.
Atlantis Water Systems supplies Lindyspring LSD Series II and Lindyspring LCR Series II water softeners in several sizes and configurations to handle any basic hard water situation.
Water Rarifier Treatment
Combining the best water softening technology, along with advanced controls and special filtration, Water Rarifiers are the ideal solution for many homeowners.
Not only do water rarifiers handle water softening, but they also remove tastes and odors from your water. Additional filters and accessories can be added to solve other difficult problems with municipal and private water suppliers.
Atlantis Water Systems offers the Lindyspring LRR Series III Water Rarifier. It’s available in several configurations and models.
Iron, Manganese, and Hydrogen Sulfide Removal
Calcium and magnesium hard water is the most common problem in Minnesota water homes. However, some water supplies also contain Iron, which causes red stains, Manganese, which forms a very difficult-to-remove scale in pipes and on surfaces, and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), which makes water smell like rotten eggs. The normal water softener can’t remove these.
These chemicals can be removed by using an oxygen generator to create high levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. This oxidizes the minerals, which can then be removed by filtration. It also destroys the Hydrogen Sulfide.
Atlantis Water Systems offers the Water D.O.G. Iron Hunter system, which can be combined with any water softener to remove these additional chemical water contaminants.
Well Water Treatment
Many Minnesota homeowners, especially in rural areas and in vacation homes, get their water from a private well. This water must be treated in multiple ways, for health safety and to remove hard water and sediments.
A multi-function appliance is needed in these situations. These remove sediments, soften the water, remove iron and manganese, sanitize the water by chlorinating it, and adjust the pH to convert well water to clean, safe, delicious water for your home.
Atlantis Water Systems offers the Lindyspring Sanitizer EWK system, in several sizes and models, to effectively treat well water for any home.
Reverse Osmosis Water Purification
For the maximum purity and palatability of drinking water, reverse osmosis is the answer. Combining two-stages of filtration with a special thin film membrane that removes virtually all contaminants, these appliances produce sparkling-clear water that is unmatched by any other method.
Reverse Osmosis produces the best drinking water obtainable. The water also makes perfect beverages, clearer ice cubes, and completely eliminates the need for expensive bottled water.
Reverse Osmosis systems are installed after all other treatment appliances, and serve a special tap used only for this treated water, since a limited amount of water is produced each day by the system.
Atlantis Water Systems offers the Lindyspring R.O. System, which has larger capacity and more features than competing products.
Twin Cities Water Treatment Systems Aren’t for Amateurs
With all the choices in water treatment, you need the advice of a Minneapolis St. Paul water treatment professional. The salesman at the big box store can’t provide the expertise you need, and doesn’t offer all the components you may need.
Atlantis Water Systems has been designing Minneapolis St. Paul water treatment systems for over 30 years. We understand the water problems in the Twin Cities area, and can give you the advice you need to make the right choice.
We also sell, install, and service water treatment systems that are second to none in quality, and will work with you to design the perfect system for your needs. In the long run, a quality system will outlast cheap systems and be more economical.
Call Atlantis Water Systems today to get a free water analysis and to discuss your water treatment needs. Our experienced and well-trained experts can advise you on just what you need.