FAQs

FAQ

Efficiently Run Softeners Do Not Hurt Septic Tank

A study released at WQA Aquatech USA indicates “that the use of efficiently operated water softeners improves septic tank performance, while the use of very inefficiently operated water softeners may have a negative effect on solids discharge to the drain field and the level of impact will depend on the level of hardness in the water, whether the regeneration waste is discharged to the septic tank, and the amount of excess sodium present in regeneration waste.”

The Water Quality research Foundation commissioned Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to conduct this independent study in 2012 which resulted in an official report, “Changes in Septic Tank Effluent Due to Water Softener Use.”  Two different approaches were taken to conduct this study; one in a laboratory setting and the other looked at case studies conducted in the field.


My remote display shows question marks instead of numbers.

Make sure the water softener (or refiner) is receiving power. Assuming the softener is getting power, it might be the strength of the signal to the remote. Try moving the remote to different locations in your home. If you continue to have problems, contact your EcoWater Pro.


My water feels too soft. Can I adjust it?

No. Soft water is soft water. You cannot adjust the level of impurities being removed from the water.


Why is there water in my salt tank?

It is normal to have water in the bottom of your salt tank. If there is more than five inches, or if you suspect a leak, contact your EcoWater Pro, who will assess the situation.


I filled the salt, but the light is still blinking and the screen still says to add salt.

After filling the salt, you must set the salt level on the display screen. Note the level number along the inside wall of the salt tank. Then follow the menu instructions on your softener display screen to set the salt level number.


My softener isn’t using much salt.

An EcoWater softener or refiner is very efficient, so you might not go through as much salt as another brand used. If you feel like your water isn’t soft, and the level of salt is not decreasing at all, consult your EcoWater Pro.


How do I determine the right softener for my home?

The right product for your home is determined by testing your water, considering how many people are living in your home, understanding your normal water usage, taking into account the number of bathrooms you have, understanding the water-using appliances in your home, etc. Authorized EcoWater Pros are water treatment professionals trained to understand your family’s needs and determine the right product for your home.


How does a water softener operate?

One of the biggest misconceptions about water softeners is that the salt is what softens your water.  What actually softens the water are the thousands of resin beads inside your softener that filter out hard water minerals.

  • Water softeners use a negatively charged ion exchange resin to collect the impurities from your water. The resin becomes charged when it mixes with a sodium or potassium solution. The salt in the water softener isn’t what softens the water; it is what enables the resin to collect and remove the hardness from your water.
  • The EcoWater refiner softens your water, and also removes the chlorine taste and odor, which is often a result of water treated by cities and municipalities.
  • Regeneration is the term for when the resin is being cleaned and recharged in the sodium solution.

How can I treat my well water?

Your authorized EcoWater Pro can evaluate your water and recommend a water softener system or whole home filtration systems customized to treat your home’s water. The benefits include:

  • Reduced scale build-up on pipes, faucets and water-using appliances, providing energy savings.
  • Reduced iron stains, tastes and odors.
  • Cleaner, brighter laundry.
  • Lower use of soaps and detergents, saving money.
  • Eliminated spots on glassware and silverware.
  • Softer skin and hair.

I live in the city. Since they treat the water, does that mean my water is already soft?

Most municipalities treat water by using chlorine to kill bacteria. Some might even soften the water, but only to meet minimum requirements. That doesn’t mean it is ideal for your family.

An EcoWater Systems water refiner softens your family’s water by removing the hardness minerals and sediments that weren’t removed by the municipality, and it also removes the chlorine taste and odor.


Why does soft water make my skin feel slippery?

An EcoWater water softener system removes the impurities in your water so your skin is rinsed without hard water minerals left behind. There is no residue on your skin to trap traces of soap, dead skin cells and other particles. And no residue left behind that dries your skin. The slippery, softness you feel is exactly how clean skin is supposed to feel.

The same way that soft water eliminates water spots that dry onto your glassware and silverware, it allows your bath soaps to lather better and rinse off completely.  Soaps will lather better and you’ll be able to use half as much.


What does soft water mean?

Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. It’s a natural result of minerals like calcium and magnesium accumulating during the water cycle, and it can happen with well water and even city water.  The more calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water, the harder the water becomes.  This is why certain cities and counties within the same state can have varying degrees of water hardness.

A water softener system treats your water at the point it enters the home. It removes these hardness impurities before the water travels through your pipes and into your water-using appliances, and before you draw water from the taps of your bathrooms and kitchen.  Soft water is less than 1 gpg, whereas hard water is anything above 7gpg.  Over 85% of households live in hard water areas.

EcoWater’s whole home filtration systems offers you a water softener system and reverse osmosis drinking water system, creating the healthiest water for all uses.


The water from my Reverse Osmosis System has a taste to it.

Ask your EcoWater Pro about what you are experiencing. You could be due for a filter change. Or maybe something has changed with your water, and it will be better served by a different type of filter cartridge in your drinking water system. A conversation with your EcoWater Pro is your safest bet in finding a solution.


How often do the filters have to be changed?

Your authorized EcoWater Pro can talk to you about how often the filters need to be changed, based on your home’s water and your water use. Talk to your EcoWater Pro about service program options that might include routine filter replacements.


My water tastes fine. Why would I need a drinking water system?

Ordinary tap water can contain dissolved metals, such as iron or lead. It might contain chlorine, nitrates and mineral salts. Or it could have sulfates, mercury, asbestos or arsenic in it. A reverse osmosis water treatment system from EcoWater reduces more than 95% of dissolved solids, including many harmful contaminants.


I’m worried about bacteria in my drinking water. How can I be sure it’s removed?

EcoWater offers a microbiological drinking water purification system that is certified to reduce 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.95% cysts, such as giardia and cryptosporidia.


The city treats my water so it’s safe to drink. What more do I need?

The quality of your home’s water may meet local standards, but it might not meet your own. Reverse osmosis drinking water purification systems are usually used in the kitchen, where you are most apt to get your drinking water, and where you prepare all of your food and beverages. You need the healthiest and best tasting water available.

Also, the methods used to treat municipal water – including chlorine – could be impacting the smell and taste of your mixed beverages and your cooking. A drinking water system provides bottled water quality, without the bottled water price paid at the store and at the recycling center.


What is the right system for my water problems?

The right product for your home is determined by testing your water, considering how many people are living in your home, understanding your normal water usage, taking into account the number of bathrooms you have, understanding the water-using appliances in your home, etc. Authorized EcoWater Pro are water treatment professionals trained to understand your family’s needs and determine the right product for your home.


What are some common home water problems?

While most homeowners may never encounter scary-sounding contaminants like toxaphene and trichloroethylene, there are several common water problems to be on the lookout for in the home:

  • Hard water
  • Iron water
  • Acid water
  • Turbidity
  • Taste and Odor
  • Contaminants

For more information on these problems, visit Diagnose Your Water.


Can I reuse my blowdown for other purposes?

Yes. CHC does not rely on chemicals to provide excellent water treatment. Because the blowdown from CHC-treated system is chemical free, it may be re-used for a number of non-potable applications pending local regulation. CHC customers use blowdown for irrigation, green roofs, landscape ponds, or simply discharge to storm drains to avoid sewer charges.


How does the CHC filtration offering compare to other filters currently available?

The remarkable cleanliness of a CHC-treated system is due to our superior filter offering. CHC combines industry-leading centrifugal separation with a stainless-steel mesh screen to filter both heavier and lighter-than-water particles. Our filtration solution also uses self-cleaning filters to eliminate the need to change media, bags or cartridges.

CHC is focused on water conservation. While other solutions sometimes require virgin water for filter backwashing; our systems are engineered to utilize blowdown water only for this purpose.

Our filter systems also include a proprietary intake manifold and sweeper system, which directs dirt and debris away from process intakes and toward filter suction.


Why does the CHC solution include filtration?

CHC technology precipitates scale before it reaches heat transfer surfaces. Our filtration system removes this scale from the cooling water. Physically removing scale allows towers to operate at higher cycles for concentration, which saves water.

Filtration also removes dirt and debris that collects in open cooling systems. Clean systems run more efficiently and consume significantly less energy. Sediment deposits can often result in microbiologically-induced corrosion (MIC) as anaerobic bacteria can corrode tower metals causing leaks, loss of water and additional biological fouling.


Is CHC treatment effective in large and small systems?

We currently treat systems from 200 to 15,000 tons. The recent introduction of the CHC ‘Mini’ provides an economical and reliable solution for systems down to 20 tons.


Can CHC treat very hard water?

CHC can treat systems across a wide range of water qualities, and provides excellent scale control in hard water environments.


How is CHC different?

The CHC technology is completely different from magnets, electromagnetic, or electrochemical systems. Our patented Controlled Hydrodynamic Cavitation technology physically removes calcium carbonate (scale) from the water, kills bacteria, and elevates pH to minimize corrosion.


What are the benefits of cavitation?

  • Scale Control – Calcium solubility is inversely proportional to water temperature; meaning calcium precipitates as water temperature increases. The kinetic energy and localized temperature associated with Controlled Hydrodynamic Cavitation drive solid particles of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from solution to form non-sticking colloidal crystals. These colloids attract dissolved calcium and carbonate ions, which are then filtered from the water stream.
  • Bacteria Control – The extreme pressures and temperatures created by our Controlled Hydrodynamic Cavitation process physically destroy bacteria and biologics including Legionella. Microbes and bacteria can develop resistance to traditional chemicals, requiring constant adjustment of treatment methodology. There are no such worries with EcoWater CHC – Bacteria cannot adapt to having their bodies ripped apart. EcoWater CHC is the only non-chemical technology that is compliant with the United Kingdom’s L-8 Legionella standard, which is widely considered to be the most stringent in the world.
  • Corrosion Control – EcoWater CHC inhibits corrosion through four mechanisms:
    • Elevating pH to alkaline state, approximately 8.5, through CO2
    • Eliminating the need for corrosive biocides and acids used in traditional treatment.
    • Destroying bacteria that can create Microbiological Influenced Corrosion (MIC).
    • Maintaining a clean system, which eliminates an environment conducive to corrosion.

What is cavitation?

Cavitation is the dynamic formation and collapse of micro bubbles in a fluid.  The bubbles collapse through a violent process, creating an acoustic shockwave, visible light, and forcing a shift in the chemical equilibrium of calcium bicarbonate. At the point of total collapse, the temperature of the vapor within the bubble may be several thousand degrees Fahrenheit, and the pressure several hundred atmospheres, releasing enough energy to destroy bacteria.

EcoWater CHC achieves Controlled Hydrodynamic Cavitation by forcing water through a pair of patented horizontally opposed nozzles.  This harnesses the energy of the cavitation process and directs it into the water stream as opposed to material surfaces.  It is this controlled energy that is the heart of the EcoWater CHC solution for scale, fouling and corrosion control.




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