What are the EPA limits?
| Hardness | 0 to 75 mg/l ( 0 to 4.4 grains) |
| Iron | 0.3 mg/l |
| Manganese | 0.05 mg/l |
| Arsenic | 0.01mg/l |
| Radon | 10,000 picocuries (MA only) |
| pH | 6.5 to 8.5 |
| Sodium | 250 mg/l (20mg/l in MA) |
How often do I need service?
The honest answer is- it depends. It depends on your unique water conditions. If you have high iron levels or low pH, then you want to stay on top of these issues so they cause damage in the home.
As with changing the oil in your car, routine preventative maintenance is important to continued good operation of your water treatment equipment. We recommend a full system evaluation every 18 months to 2 years
What type of salt should I use?
This depends too! One sure thing – do NOT use blue bags of salt crystals. Crystal salt has become a dirty, unrefined salt that can cause issues in your softener. Yellow or yellow and white bags are a pellet salt which are refined and ideal for water that is high in hardness or with low iron content. Green or green and white bags are also a pellet salt but this salt contains citric acid which is helpful is regeneration process where higher levels of iron exist.
What causes the pink stain on bathroom fixtures?
The reddish-pink color frequently noted in bathrooms on shower stalls, tubs, tile, toilets, sinks, toothbrush holders, and on pets’ water bowls is caused by the growth of the bacterium Serratia marcesens. Serratia is commonly isolated from soil, water, plants, insects, and vertebrates (including man). The bacteria can be introduced into the house through any of the above mentioned sources. The bathroom provides a perfect environment (moist and warm) for bacteria to thrive.
The best solution to this problem is to continually clean and dry the involved surfaces to keep them free from bacteria. Chlorine-based compounds work best, but keep in mind that abrasive cleaners may scratch fixtures, making them more susceptible to bacterial growth. Chlorine bleach can be used periodically to disinfect the toilet and help to eliminate the occurrence of the pink residue. Keeping bathtubs and sinks wiped down using a solution that contains chlorine will also help to minimize its occurrence.
Serratia will not survive in chlorinated drinking water.
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