Author Archives: alex

Orlando Water Filtration – Smart Water Treatment Technology  /  Articles by: alex
Categories Home improvement

What Is a Water Softener and What Does It Do?

Water softener - Ion Exchanger

What is a water softener? 

A water softener is a whole-house filtration system that removes hardness caused by calcium and magnesium minerals from your water. This is done through a process called ion exchange. Hard water can be very destructive in your home. As scale builds up in your pipes, they become clogged and decrease water pressure. This can lead to shorter lifespans for expensive appliances like washer machines, coffee makers, ice machines, and dishwashers.

Hot water appliances are affected and destroyed by hard water. As water temperature rises, calcium and magnesium solidify and harden into solid deposits inside your water heater. A common symptom is the water heater making a popping sound like popcorn. This is because the scale has attached itself to the heating element. As the heater’s temperature rises and the tank expands, the calcified rock deposits crusted on the heating elements start cracking and stretching. Hard water-induced scale is the culprit of that popcorn-popping sound.

Without a water softener, laundry needs extra detergent to prevent it from appearing dingy. Dishes will come from your dishwasher streaked and stained. Filmy scum builds on your shower curtains, and your shampoo and soap won’t lather. Bathing in hard water leaves your skin dry, itchy and your hair lifeless and sticky. The sheer quantity of time, energy, and money necessary to wash up the harmful side effects of hard water is dizzying. A whole house water softener is the only solution to this treachery of water hardness.  

What Does A Water Softener Do?

The ion exchange method is the only one that softens water by extracting the minerals that cause limescale from hard water. This process eliminates your water’s hardness-causing components, calcium and magnesium. The hard water flows through a bed of round resin beads when it enters the nutrient tank. Sodium ions charge these plastic beads. The resin beads are anions, meaning they have a negative charge. The magnesium and calcium minerals possess a positive direction, making them cations. As the hard water passes through the resin, the beads catch hold of these mineral ions and remove them from the water. After the bead seizes the nutrient ion, then the sodium ion is released. The column of resin strips all the hardness from the water as it moves through the mineral tank, and softened water flows outside your home.

What are the components of a water softener?

A water softener comprises three components: a control valve, a mineral tank, and a brine tank. These three work together to remove the minerals from hard water, monitor the stream of water, and periodically clean out the system through a regeneration procedure.

Water softener

The mineral tank (1,2,3)

The mineral tank is the chamber where the challenging water is softened. The water supply line feeds the hard water to the tank. The water seeps through the bed of resin beads, depositing the water-hardening calcium and magnesium ions. The water exits the tank softly and flows through your pipes and out to your home’s appliances.

The control valve (5)

The control valve measures the water passing through the mineral tank and into your house. The valve houses a meter that monitors the water flow into the mineral tank. As hard water flows through the nutrient tank, the resin beads exchange sodium ions for hardness ions. Over time, this increases the capacity of the resin to keep effectively softening water. Before the beads become too burdened with mineral content to continue removing calcium and magnesium ions, the control valve automatically initiates a regeneration cycle. This maximum capability is pre-programmed into the control valve’s onboard computer. It is based on a range of factors, such as the dimensions of your residence, the number of occupants, and the hardness of your property. Control valves are demand-initiated controls that permit water purification components to be highly efficient.

The Brine Tank (4)

The brines tank assists the water softening system in regeneration. It’s a shorter tank that sits adjacent to the nutrient tank. The brine tank holds a highly concentrated salt (or sometimes potassium) solution to restore the resin beads’ positive charge. Salt is added to the brine tank as pellets or cubes. These dissolve in the water in the base of the tank. After the control valve accomplishes, the resin’s softening capacity diminishes, and the hefty brine solution is pulled from the tank and flushed through the resin from the mineral tank. If the brine tank runs out of salt, the water passing through the unit will no longer be softened. 

Branded Water Softener

Smart Water Treatment Technology has the best water softener system for your home. Give us a call and talk to one of our specialists to find out more. 

Author alex
Categories Water Quality

4 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Water Softener Run Out of Salt

Explain how Water softener works

The Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Water Softener Run Out of Salt

Why won’t the soap lather properly? Why are there white spots on the shower door? And where in the world did a brown-orange stain in the kitchen sink come from? Ug Oh…!, We let the water softener run out of salt! Will it be ok?

Many folks would tell you that letting your water softener run out of salt is okay and that you should add salt and not worry. But letting your water softener run out of salt will cause long-term damage to your water fixtures and might even make your salt tank overflow!

 

What Happens If Your Water Softener Runs Out Of Salt?

 

Over time, the resin beads in the water softener become saturated in hard minerals and must be ‘regenerated.’

This is Where the second tank comes in.

Water From the brine tank flows to the resin container to trigger a reverse ion exchange. The beads give their mineral ions and catch a new sodium ion. The Mineralized water is then drained from the tank.

“New-aged water softeners run a ‘regeneration cycle’ automatically every few days… until the brine tank runs out of salt. 

The water-softening resin will stay saturated if you forget to top off your water softener. This stops the ion exchange and allows hard water minerals to collect throughout your home’s water pipes, appliances, and fixtures.

When your water softener runs out of salt, it won’t be able to wash the hard iron and minerals from its softening resin. This means that the water is coming out and will contain hard minerals. Ultimately this means hard water and iron stains on all surfaces that contact your water.

Water softener

No salt in your water softener means No soft water

So your soap Will Not lather Up as well, as normally, no big deal right?

Well, there is a Great Deal more to it than that. Hard water is much more than an inconvenience, it is going to build up on your hot water heating system, making it less efficient, and in time, it will not operate at all.

Hard water can build up from the plumbing of Your home, in time limiting the water flow through the house.

We all forget to check our water softener salt from time to time. Always know when your water softener is outside of salt before it creates a disaster.

Iron and other hard minerals can get into your control valve.

With older water softeners, untreated water was used through the water softeners control valve and through the main chamber of the water softener where the main piston moves back and forth. This caused the piston to seize and seals to wear quicker.

In older water softeners, untreated water would be used through the water softeners control valve and through the main chamber where the main piston moves back and forth. This would causes the piston to seize and the seals to wear-out faster.

New water softener models typically have the water that goes through the control valve already go through the water softener. This makes the water soft and free of any iron.

Should you allow your system to run out of salt, you might be allowing hard iron and minerals access to the piston chamber and in the instance of a non-electric water softener, you might be allowing iron and hardness onto the fragile gears which control the systems regeneration procedure.

This is not as common as the other issues that can happen when you let your water softener run out of salt, but it might be the worst of all of them.

This is issue is more common in older non-electric water softeners than with newer electric systems. Non-electric water softeners rely on a single water shut-off valve to stop water filling your systems salt tank.

There is usually a tiny bit of dirt in the bag of salt that you empty in your water softener’s salt tank. This dirt will settle to the bottom of the salt tank as salt is dissolved for use.  

 

Permanent etching on your glassware, shower door and more.

If your water softener runs out of salt, the resulting hard water that will be pouring out will leave hard water stains and streaks on everything that it comes in contact with (e.g. cups, bowls, silverware).

A white film will cover your glassware when it comes out of your dishwasher. You may be able to clean it off the first time, but will inevitably become a permanent etch in the glass in little to no time. Forks and knives will look like it never went through the dishwasher at all…

Your glass shower walls will start to look like they are frosted over from this white film, and they usually never get as clean as they once were, no matter how hard you scrub. And the replacement of a shower encloser can be quite expensive.

Your bathroom’s glass shower walls will begin to have a frosted over look to it and will never be as clean as they once were. Replacing a shower encloser can be very expensive!

Your salt tank could over flow! The brine float in your salt tank may not shut off the water filling your brine tank.

Although not as frequent as other problems that can occur from letting your water softener run out of salt, this issue could potentially be the most severe.

This issue is more common in older non-electric water softeners than with newer electric systems. Non-electric water softeners rely on a single water shut-off valve to stop water from filling your system’s salt tank.

When emptying a bag of salt into your water softener’s salt tank, it’s common to find a small amount of dirt mixed in. However, this dirt will eventually settle to the bottom of the tank as the salt dissolves for use.

Keeping an eye on your salt level is a wise decision and will help you avoid potential disasters.

 

You wouldn’t let your car purposely run out of gas, would you? If you have, doing it once won’t end the world. But indeed, after multiple times doing so, your car will have major mechanical issues.

Get yourself and other family members into a routine of constantly checking the salt tank whenever they pass it by. I also suggest keeping a few bags of water softener salt in a room far from the water softener.

Get yourself and other household members into a routine of constantly checking the salt tank any time they see or pass by it. You are keeping a couple of bags of water softener salt in a space near the water softener. This will help you fill your salt tank when it’s getting low without carrying a heavy bag too far.

Need a water softener to upgrade? Smart Water Treatment Technology has the best water softener system for your home. Give us a call and talk to one of our specialists to find out more. 

Water Softener Runs Out Of Salt? contact us 

 

Author alex
Categories Water Quality

What To Do When Your Tap Water Has a Foul Odor

Orlando water with bad odor

My Tap Water Has a Foul Odor, what should i do?

A ghastly stench should be the last thing to expect when you turn on your faucet. Tap water can carry a wide array of different odors but no matter the cause, it is possible to pinpoint the source and eradicate it. Since locating the exact cause of your potential tap water odor can be challenging, we’ve put together this guide on what to do when your faucets start to stink.

Follow the Odor to its Source

Solving any stinky water problem starts by first determining where the smell is coming from. There are a number of locations as well as numerous reasons for why tap water might carry a foul odor. If the odor only occurs in some of your faucets and goes away after running the water for a few minutes, then the cause is likely somewhere in the fixtures or pipes supplying those faucets.

If the odor occurs in all your faucets, then things get trickier. If the odor dissipates after running the water for a few minutes, then the source is likely in the plumbing system. If the problem does not resolve itself even after running water for a few minutes, then the smell could be coming from your water heater, water source, or plumbing system. No matter the source, water treatment can eliminate any odor and make your tap water safe to drink.

Chemical Odors

Are you experiencing odors that smell like chemicals such as bleach or chlorine? It makes sense – after all, many public water suppliers use chlorine to prevent bacterial growth. However, chlorine produces a strong, bleach-like odor. In some cases, it interacts with organic materials that have accumulated in your plumbing system to give off an even stronger musty smell.

Rotten Egg Stench

When your tap water reeks of sulfur (or that rotten egg odor that most people are familiar with), the problem likely lies in your drain, water heater, or water source. When sulfur-reducing bacteria grow, they feed on sulfur and convert natural sulfates in water into hydrogen sulfide, which emits that infamous egg smell we all know and hate. Water testing can determine if these bacteria live in your water system.

Musty and Moldy Odors

Odors that are musty, moldy, earthy, or even fishy typically come from bacteria in your drain. This is especially true if decayed organic matter is trapped in your pipes. The most effective way to remove decaying matter and the scent that follows it is by disinfecting, cleaning, and flushing your drain. Furthermore, musty odors can also be caused by algae or fungal growth in your water supply, or insufficient amounts of chlorine in your public water supply.

Smells Like Gasoline

Unlike other causes of odorous tap water, it is much rarer for water to smell like gasoline or petroleum. However, when they occur, they are very serious – anemia, liver and kidney problems and increased risk of cancer are all possible consequences of drinking this water. Odors that smell like gasoline could indicate any of the following reasons:

  • A leaking fuel storage tank near your water supply
  • Contamination due to discharge from landfills
  • Runoff from agriculture leaking into your water supply

Are you experiencing smelly tap water in your home? Some causes of these odors can be harmless, but others are much more serious. No matter the reason, you should reach out to the experts at Smart Water and Waste Treatment Technology. We offer a wide array of water treatment products to ensure that your tap water is safe to use and consume. Contact us today and ask about our water testing services!

Contact us

Author alex
Categories Drinking Water

What Should I Do When My Tap Water is Not Clear?

Tap Water is Not Clear?

What Should I Do if the Water in My Tap Isn't Clear?

Homeowners should never settle for tap water that is cloudy or milky. If you turn on your faucets and discover anything that isn’t crystal clear, then you need to stop right there and consider the benefits of clean water services. Fortunately, cloudy tap water might not be harmful to your health, but it still warrants a quick study of water treatment products. Read on to learn what you should do the next time your tap water comes out dirty.

What Causes Dirty Tap Water?

If you notice cloudy water coming from all your faucets and have a public water source, then it’s likely caused by a pressurized municipal system. More often than not, dirty tap water is directly related to the amount of air contained within the water. Yes, even air can give the illusion of cloudy tap water. Most of the time, the cloudy effect will vanish after a few minutes once the water has settled. If cloudy water is only coming out of one faucet, then there is likely an issue with that fixture. If cloudy water never settles or if it precipitates at the bottom of a drinking glass, then you likely have dirt, silt, rust, or any other substance that entered the plumbing system and you should think of installing a water filter.

Is Hot Water Supposed to Be Cloudy?

Hot water has a greater tendency to take on a cloudy appearance for reasons that can be explained by science. Since it is made up of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, water bonds easily with minerals and other gases, trapping them in the water. When water is heated, its molecules expand and trap other gases that look like tiny air bubbles. That is why your tap water could look cloudy coming from your water heater. Once those air bubbles rise to the surface of the water and escape back into the air, then your water will likely look much clearer.

Heaters also may suffer from excess iron or hardness as it may lead to corrosion or scaling in the heater.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink if it’s Not Clear?

If your cloudy tap water is caused by trapped air, then it is still safe to drink because it does not risk any ill health effects. That being said, it can still be abrasive to your pipes and stain your sinks. On the other hand, if your tap water is discolored as well as cloudy, then it could be dangerous to consume. Tap water can be brown, yellow, or even green depending on the type of contaminants it carries. Plus, hard water can cause buildup on your plumbing system, which decreases the life expectancy of appliances and dilutes the effectiveness of detergents. If you have any doubts about your tap water, it’s better to err on the side of caution and wait to drink it until after you’ve treated it with clean water services.

The best way to eliminate cloudy tap water is with water treatment products such as water softeners, water filtration, and more. Smart Water and Waste Treatment Technology is your go-to choice for clean water services that are guaranteed to prevent cloudy or dirty tap water. Call us today to learn more about specialized water treatment for your home.

Author alex
Categories Drinking Water

Can you drink the tap water in Orlando?

Drinking tap water in Orlando

Can You Drink Orlando Florida Tap Water? What You Need to Know Before You Move

Florida is known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and diverse attractions. It’s no wonder that many people who work remotely choose to relocate and live in the Sunshine State. 

The answer is not so simple. Orlando Florida tap water quality varies depending on where you live, what source of water you use, and how the water is treated. In general, Florida tap water is considered safe to drink and meets federal drinking water standards. However, some areas may have higher levels of contaminants that could pose health risks if consumed in large amounts over time.

What are the sources of Florida tap Water?

Before deciding to drink tap water, knowing the water source is important. Most Central Florida homeowners have either Municipal “City Water” or “Private Well Water”. Each has its own set of potential contaminants that require treatment.

City Water :

Florida obtains 92% of its tap water from groundwater wells. The water undergoes treatment in municipal water treatment plants to remove contaminants before being distributed to consumers. However, groundwater quality can be affected by various activities such as agriculture, industry, urban development, rainfall, storms, flooding, and climate change.

Private Well Water:

Homeowners with private wells must exercise caution as well water is untreated and may contain harmful contaminants. It is crucial to prioritize regular testing and treatment to ensure safe drinking water.

What are the common contaminant can be found in Orlando Tap Water?

Some of the common contaminants that can be found in Orlando and Central Florida tap water include:

  • PFAS: PFAS are a group of chemicals that are widely used in various products, such as non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and stain-resistant fabrics. PFAS are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the human body. Exposure to high levels of PFAS can cause adverse health effects, such as liver damage, thyroid disease, reduced fertility, and increased risk of cancer.
  • Haloacetic acids: Haloacetic acids are a group of disinfection byproducts that are formed when chlorine or other disinfectants react with organic matter in the water. Haloacetic acids can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, as well as increase the risk of bladder cancer and reproductive problems.
  • Nitrates: Nitrates are naturally occurring compounds that are found in soil and water. They can also come from fertilizer runoff, animal waste, septic systems, and industrial waste. High levels of nitrates can interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, especially in infants and pregnant women. This can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome.
  • Water hardness: Another common issue that affects the water quality is water hardness. Water hardness is a common concern in both City and Well Water, it refers to the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water. Hard water can cause problems such as scaling, staining, corrosion, and reduced efficiency of water heaters and appliances. Hard water can also make soap less effective and leave a residue on your skin and hair. 
  • Chlorine or Chloramine: Municipality treatment plants normally use chlorine or chloramine to disinfect the water supply, you may notice a chlorine smell or taste in your tap water. Chlorine and chloramine are added to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, but they can also react with organic matter in the water and form disinfection byproducts that may pose health risks. Chlorine and chloramine can also irritate your eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
  • Iron and Sulfur : Some well water may also contain high levels of iron and sulfur, which can cause unpleasant effects such as a rotten egg smell, a metallic taste, and orange or black stains on your fixtures and laundry. Iron and sulfur can also promote the growth of iron bacteria, which can clog your pipes and filters and reduce your water pressure and flow.
  • Tannins:  are another substance that can affect well water quality. Tannins are organic compounds that are produced by decaying vegetation and soil. Tannins can give your water a yellow or brown color, a musty or earthy odor, and a bitter taste. Tannins can also interfere with the effectiveness of other water treatment systems, such as softeners and iron filters. 

Why do i need to install water filtration system in central Florida?

These contaminants are typically lower than the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are the legal limits for the amount of a substance that is allowed in public water systems. However, some people may be more sensitive or vulnerable to these contaminants than others, such as children,  pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take precautions to protect yourself and your family.

Water treatment systems are devices or methods that improve the quality and safety of your tap water by removing or reducing contaminants. Water treatment systems have several benefits, such as:

  • Reducing the risk of waterborne illnesses and diseases by removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals.
  • Enhancing tap water’s flavor and scent makes it more pleasant to drink.
  • Enjoying safe drinking water all the time, without having to worry about boil water notices or water quality advisories.
  • Saving money by avoiding bottled water expenses and reducing plumbing repairs.
  • Helping preserve the environment by reducing plastic waste and energy consumption.

What Are the contaminant in Orlando Tap Water?

To ensure that your home has the most appropriate water treatment system, it is important to determine the contents of your water. These resources can be relied upon for accurate information:

  • Check your local water quality report: Your local water department must provide an annual report on tap water quality. This report will tell you where your water comes from, what contaminants are detected in it, and how it compares to federal standards. You can find your local water quality report online or request a copy from your water provider.
  • Test your City tap water: If you are in city water you can get water testing kit or contact Smart Water Treatment Technology to do free water testing for you. This will help you identify the specific contaminants and their concentrations in your water and any other issues such as hardness, chlorine ,TDS, pH, or color.
  • Local Health Department: If you are using Private Water, Contact the health department and request them to do water testing .
  • Certified lab :  It is crucial to test private well water regularly using certified labs. The cost of lab tests may vary between $150 and $250, which might seem expensive. However, the benefits of protecting your health and your loved ones are priceless.
  • Smart Water Treatment Technology: If you are a homeowner in Central Florida and have City Water, you can claim free water testing by contacting us. For Well Water, we offer a reduced price for 50 parameters tested by a third party. This discount can be availed on the purchase of any well system from us. Please feel free to get in touch with our team for more information.

How to Treat Orlando and central Florida Tap water

There are various water treatment systems that can effectively remove harmful contaminants such as :

  • Sediment Filter. 
  • Carbon Filter.
  • Water Softer.
  • Reverse Osmosis.
  • Whole House Filtration.
  • UV disinfectant 
  • Tannin Filter.
  • Iron and Sulfur Filter
  • Chlorination System.

After identifying the potential contaminant in your water, consult a water treatment specialist to recommend the best water treatment system. Contact Smart Water Treatment Technology or schedule a water consultation.

Conclusion

Florida tap water is generally safe to drink, but it can vary in quality depending on where you live and what source of water you use. Some areas may have higher levels of contaminants that could pose health risks if consumed in large amounts over time. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the potential issues and challenges of Florida tap water quality and the benefits and solutions of water treatment systems.

By eliminating many contaminants in your water, you can make it safer and cleaner, enabling you to enjoy clean, fresh, and healthy water for all your daily needs, including drinking, cooking, bathing, and laundry. Additionally, you can save money, protect the environment, and improve your overall well-being in the process.

Looking for the best water treatment solutions in Central Florida? Look no further than Smart Water Treatment Technology. We provide top-of-the-line water softeners, whole-house filtration, reverse osmosis, and well-water treatment systems at affordable rates to improve the quality and safety of your water. Contact us today for a free consultation and quote!

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Author alex
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