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murphy_ny

whole house filtration

murphy-ny
13 years ago

I just took two different water test on our "new" 102 year old house. Everything came back in an ideal range other than low PH of 5, alkalinity of 0, and nitrate between greater than 2 but less than 10. I was thinking of getting a whole house filter to correct these problems and possibly for any vocs or other chemicals that I haven't tested for. Any suggestions?

Comments (6)

  • User
    13 years ago

    "I just took two different water test on our "new" 102 year old house" box store DIY tests or a comprehensive water test by a certified, independent lab?

    Although you post that "Everything came back in an ideal range" how about posting the test results in detail? Then we can speak intelligently about treating your water.

    Hardness, iron, manganese, copper, chlorine, arsenic, PH (we know), TDS, bacteria, nitrates (we know) for starters.

    We'll also need to know the # of people and bathrooms in the home and whether there are any high water use appliances like an uber-shower or Jacuzzi.

    A PH of 5 is VERY aggressive water and that will need to be treated for sure and the sooner the better for your plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. I can tell you that no simple add-on house filter will address the PH problem. Treating a low PH problem will usually add hardness to the water so along with whatever hardness is in the water now, you'll most likely require an ion exchange softener.

  • murphy-ny
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    PH 5
    Alkalinity 0
    Chlorine 0.2
    Hardness 50
    Iron 0
    Copper 0
    Nitrate 2-5
    Nitrite 0
    Lead undetectable

    We were very surprised by the PH. The prior owners lived in the house for 45 years without treating the water. The dishwasher is about 10 years old and the washer is probably more than 15+ yrs and they both work.

    3 people live in the house, with two full baths, two half baths,washer, and dishwasher. We will probably be adding another full bath in the next 5 years. Additionally, my in-laws stay with us for a few weeks twice a year, so we would want a system that would be able to handle 5-6 people without a problem.

    I really appreciate your help. Thanks!

  • User
    13 years ago

    If you'd be so kind as to add the delineators to the numbers... hardness = 50 what? Grains, PPM, pounds, gallons?

    No bacteria test?

    Well water changes so perhaps that PH of 5 hasn't been that for 102 years? You might also run the PH test again to make sure.

  • murphy-ny
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    sorry, all measured in parts per million.

    My water source is not a well. It is water from the village where the house is located.

  • User
    13 years ago

    Is your water supply EPA or state certified?

  • User
    13 years ago

    If your village water system is state or EPA monitored then they can provide you with a copy of the water tests they are required to routinely do.