Whole House Water Treatment

[GarthH]

Hope the new year comes with a better economy than last.

I recent ran our water through an analysis, during the time I had not used the softner for about a month.

Our TDS (total dissolved solids calculated) came in at 600 - max recommended is 500. No other category was listed as high including the hardness was in the mid range.

I looked on Wikepedia and saw the only method for a home owner to bring down the TDS is Reverse osmosis. We don't use our house water for drinking although we do cook with it. I notice the cost of RO is quite high on a small scale; does the cost remain high if you get a larger system? I'm thinking about 5 to 10 gallons per hour.

I'm trying to figure out what I can do to bring the TDS number down. I started to wonder about setting up a couple tanks to pre-prepare a volume of water - 300 gallons. We would draw out of the tanks rather than directly from the well.

Is there sometype of treatment that I could do for pennies a 100 gallons that would improve the water?

Thanks all.

Garth

 

[Doc_Bob]

I recent ran our water through an analysis, during the time I had not used the softener for about a month.

Garth, what are you treating? The number or some end user concern with perceived quality?

If you water is fine, then why bother?
Bob

 

[czechsonofagun]

We have the whole house on filter (5 microns) to keep the red virginia stsain out of our water. Works well, just needs replacement evry 2 month or so.

 

[ctpres]

I had TDS 900 plus and nothing else to stop us from drinking. My solution for under $1,000 for total project.

1. Sand filter, whole house
2. Water softner, everything but outdoor faucets
3. Under kitchen sink five stage RO with booster pump and storage tank. This water used for all cooking and drinking
4. TDS meter
After one year and one new set of filters TDS still under 50

Only unfinished part of project is to dump RO flush water into a storage tank (now into septic) for plant watering and maybe wild animal drinking.

 

[marks]

My well water has a TDS in excess of 1,000, in addition to many other issues. After extensive research, and trial and error, my understanding is that RO is the only way of lowering TDS. Since the solids are disolved, they are difficult to remove otherwise. Even with the high TDS, it really doesn't pose a problem, since I remove the sulfur and use a softener.

 

[Gary51]

Garth- I suggest you post this question over at this well drillers forum. They have some experts over there that can help.

Pump & Well Forum - Terry Love's Plumbing & Remodel DIY advice forum

 

[heehaw]

"1. Sand filter, whole house" can you describe your sand filter or maybe a picture?
i have one but am always looking for a better way to do it.
heehaw

 

[Slackdaddy]

Czech,
We have high iron in are water (oranage stain)
Your saying a filter took care of it for you ?

Thanks,

Nick

 

[heehaw]

the high iron/orange staining, is why we have a sand filter: also takes out the sulfur smell.
heehaw