Household Water Systems

Household Water Household Water SystemsSystems

Household Water System Household Water System ComponentsComponents

• Water Source (well, spring, pond, or Water Source (well, spring, pond, or cistern)cistern)

• PumpPump• Pressure TankPressure Tank• Pressure SwitchPressure Switch• Check ValveCheck Valve• Piping Piping • Optional Treatment EquipmentOptional Treatment Equipment(Softener, Filter, Disinfection Unit, (Softener, Filter, Disinfection Unit, etc)etc)

Typical Shallow-Well Water Typical Shallow-Well Water SystemSystem

PUMP POWER CONTROL BOX

SHALLOW-WELL JET PUMP

CHECK VALVE

WELL CASING

SUCTION PIPE

SUPPLY PIPE TO HOUSE

PRESSURE TANKPRESSURE SWITCH

Water Pump OptionsWater Pump OptionsSuction Lift Suction Lift

(feet)(feet)Pump TypePump Type

0 – 18 0 – 18 Horizontal Horizontal CentrifugalCentrifugal

0 – 280 – 28 Shallow-Well Shallow-Well Centrifugal JetCentrifugal Jet

0 – 2000 – 200 Deep-Well Deep-Well Centrifugal JetCentrifugal Jet

0 – 500+0 – 500+ Multi-stage Multi-stage SubmersibleSubmersible

Pump House with Pump House with Shallow Well Shallow Well PumpPump

PRESSURE SWITCHPRESSURE SWITCH

Jet Pump InstallationsJet Pump InstallationsShallow-Shallow-Well Jet Well Jet PumpPump

Deep-Well Deep-Well Jet Pump Jet Pump (Two-Pipe (Two-Pipe System)System)

Intake PipeIntake Pipe

To Pressure To Pressure TankTank

Pressure Pipe (Return Pressure Pipe (Return Flow)Flow)Lift Pipe (Upward Lift Pipe (Upward Flow)Flow)

Jet Ejector (Venturi)Jet Ejector (Venturi)

NozzleNozzle

WaterWater

Jet Pump Jet Pump Schematic Schematic DiagramDiagram

-Increases practical Increases practical suction lift by suction lift by diverting part of diverting part of the pump discharge the pump discharge to the ejector on to the ejector on the lift pipe the lift pipe -The greater the The greater the suction lift, the suction lift, the greater the greater the percentage of percentage of discharge water must discharge water must be divertedbe diverted-Maximum practical Maximum practical lift is limited to lift is limited to approximately 200 approximately 200 feet by economicsfeet by economics

Deep-Well Jet Pump Ejector Deep-Well Jet Pump Ejector UnitsUnits Two-Pipe Two-Pipe

SystemSystem

Well CapWell CapReturn PipeReturn PipeLift PipeLift Pipe

(w/ Venturi)(w/ Venturi)NozzleNozzle

Foot ValveFoot Valve Intake Intake StrainerStrainer

Packer Packer SystemSystem

Return FlowReturn FlowLift PipeLift Pipe(w/ (w/ Venturi)Venturi)NozzleNozzleFoot ValveFoot ValvePackerPackerSuction Suction PipePipe

Submersible Water Submersible Water PumpsPumps-- Good for deep wells Good for deep wells- High efficiencyHigh efficiency- Wells as small as 4” Wells as small as 4” diameterdiameter

Submersible Pump Submersible Pump with Pitless with Pitless AdapterAdapter

FROST LINE

Pressure Pressure SwitchSwitch

• Controls water pumpControls water pump• Turns on when Turns on when system pressure drops system pressure drops to 20 (30) psito 20 (30) psi•Turns off when Turns off when system pressure rises system pressure rises to 40 (50) psito 40 (50) psi•Low pressure shut-Low pressure shut-down in case well down in case well water level dropswater level drops

Pressure TankPressure Tank• Is not meant to provide household water Is not meant to provide household water storagestorage

• Delays pump turn-on and extends pump run timeDelays pump turn-on and extends pump run time• Eliminates frequent, short On/Off cycles which Eliminates frequent, short On/Off cycles which can burn up the pump motorcan burn up the pump motor

• Volume of pre-charged tank should be at least Volume of pre-charged tank should be at least 66 times the delivery of the pump in 1 times the delivery of the pump in 1 minuteminute

• Volume of uncharged tank should be at least Volume of uncharged tank should be at least 1010 times the delivery of the pump in 1 times the delivery of the pump in 1 minuteminute

Pressure Pressure TankTankTypical uncharged Typical uncharged

pressure tank (no air pressure tank (no air bladder/diaphragm) bladder/diaphragm) installationinstallation

Pipe PlugPipe Plug(to be removed (to be removed when system is when system is drained to drained to correct correct waterlogging)waterlogging)

PressuPressure re

SwitchSwitch

Delivery Delivery Pipe from Pipe from PumpPump

Main Main Power Power Cutoff Cutoff SwitchSwitch

Useable Storage Capacity of Useable Storage Capacity of Pressure Tanks Over Normal Pressure Tanks Over Normal

Operating RangeOperating Range(Not Pre-charged)(Not Pre-charged)

42 gallons42 gallons

40 40 lblbss20 20 lblbss

Water Level at

12 gallons

82 82 gallonsgallons

Examples of Pre-charged Pressure Examples of Pre-charged Pressure TanksTanks

Effect of Effect of WaterloggingWaterlogging on Useable Pressure Tank on Useable Pressure Tank

CapacityCapacity

WaterloggingWaterloggingTo correct waterlogged To correct waterlogged pressure tanks:pressure tanks:--Turn off power to pumpTurn off power to pump-Open a faucet to drain Open a faucet to drain systemsystem-Remove pipe plug at top of Remove pipe plug at top of tank to let air into tank and tank to let air into tank and finish draining systemfinish draining system-Replace pipe plug (use Replace pipe plug (use teflon tape or pipe compound teflon tape or pipe compound to seal properly)to seal properly)-Close faucetClose faucet-Turn on powerTurn on power-Repeat this process whenever Repeat this process whenever the pump begins starting the pump begins starting immediately every time a immediately every time a faucet is openedfaucet is opened

Pipe PlugPipe Plug(to be removed (to be removed when system is when system is drained to drained to correct correct waterlogging)waterlogging)

Power Power SwitchSwitch

Controlling Controlling WaterloggingWaterlogging in in

Pressure TanksPressure Tanks

Submersible Pump Check Valve Submersible Pump Check Valve CutawayCutaway

Water Water FlowFlow

Household Water Household Water RequirementRequirement

• Typical Usage: 50-100 Typical Usage: 50-100 gallons/person-day gallons/person-day (drinking, bathing, (drinking, bathing, laundry, toilet flushing, dishwashing, cooking, etc.)laundry, toilet flushing, dishwashing, cooking, etc.)

• Well Flow Rate Requirement:Well Flow Rate Requirement:– Minimum Acceptable Rate:Minimum Acceptable Rate: 5 gpm 5 gpm– Preferred Rate:Preferred Rate: 10 gpm10 gpm– Minimum Fire Protection Rate:Minimum Fire Protection Rate: 20 gpm20 gpm

Household Water Household Water RequirementsRequirementsUseUse Flow Flow

RateRate(gpm)(gpm)

Volume Volume per Use per Use (gal.)(gal.)

Washing MachineWashing Machine 55 20-3520-35DishwasherDishwasher 22 6-206-20Shower/BathtubShower/Bathtub 55 20-6020-60ToiletToilet 33 1.6-5.01.6-5.0Kitchen SinkKitchen Sink 33 2-42-4Water Softener Water Softener RechargeRecharge

88 50-15050-150

Farmstead Water Farmstead Water RequirementRequirement

(Flow Rate)(Flow Rate)UseUse MinimumMinimum PreferrePreferre

ddStock Auto. Stock Auto. WaterersWaterers

0.5 gpm0.5 gpm 2 2 gpmgpm

Poultry Auto. Poultry Auto. WaterersWaterers

0.25 gpm0.25 gpm 1 1 gpmgpm

Milkhouse Milkhouse CleaningCleaning

3 3 gpmgpm

5 5 gpmgpm

Manure WashdownManure Washdown 5 5 gpmgpm

10 gpm10 gpm

Outdoor HydrantOutdoor Hydrant 5 5 gpmgpm

10 gpm10 gpm

Outdoor Hydrant Outdoor Hydrant (Fire)(Fire)

10 gpm10 gpm 20 gpm20 gpm

Intermediate Water Intermediate Water StorageStorage

• Improves usability of low-yield wellsImproves usability of low-yield wells• Well pump operates at low flow for Well pump operates at low flow for extended periods (overnight) to fill extended periods (overnight) to fill storage tankstorage tank

• Pressure pump uses water from storage to Pressure pump uses water from storage to supply immediate household demandsupply immediate household demand

• Minimum intermediate storage capacity Minimum intermediate storage capacity should be at least equal to daily should be at least equal to daily household water usehousehold water use (2-3 days’ storage (2-3 days’ storage capacity preferred)capacity preferred)

Intermediate Storage for Low-Intermediate Storage for Low-Yield WellsYield Wells

Intermediate Intermediate Storage TankStorage Tank(filled by submersible (filled by submersible well pump)well pump)

Pressure Pressure TankTank

Pressure Pressure PumpPump

Low Yield Well Water Low Yield Well Water SystemSystemInlet from Well Inlet from Well

PumpPump

Pressure Pump Suction Pressure Pump Suction LineLineSupply Line to Supply Line to HouseHouse

Check ValveCheck Valve

Water Treatment Water Treatment EquipmentEquipment

• Disinfection EquipmentDisinfection Equipment• FiltersFilters• Water SoftenersWater Softeners

Water Disinfection Water Disinfection OptionsOptions

--Bacteria & VirusesBacteria & Viruses--• ChlorinationChlorination

– Shock chlorinationShock chlorination– Continuous chlorinationContinuous chlorination

• Dry pellet chlorinatorDry pellet chlorinator• Chlorine solution feed pumpChlorine solution feed pump• Chlorine solution venturi injectorChlorine solution venturi injector

• OzonationOzonation• Ultraviolet IrradiationUltraviolet Irradiation

Shock ChlorinationShock Chlorination• Use laundry bleach (5.25%) w/ no additivesUse laundry bleach (5.25%) w/ no additives• Pour 4 pints of bleach into well vent for Pour 4 pints of bleach into well vent for each 100 gallons of water in systemeach 100 gallons of water in system

• Recirculate water into well for 20 minutesRecirculate water into well for 20 minutes• Open all outlets until bleach is smelledOpen all outlets until bleach is smelled• Let system stand idle overnight (4 hrs Let system stand idle overnight (4 hrs minimum)minimum)

• Flush systemFlush system• Re-test for bacteria after 10-14 days of useRe-test for bacteria after 10-14 days of use

Dry Pellet Dry Pellet ChlorinatorsChlorinators--Electric powered (110 or Electric powered (110 or 220 volt) 220 volt) --Controlled by pump Controlled by pump controllercontroller-Few moving partsFew moving parts-Uses calcium Uses calcium hypochlorite tabletshypochlorite tablets-Treats water in the wellTreats water in the well-Longer Cl contact timeLonger Cl contact time-No solutions to mixNo solutions to mix-Treats up to 20 gpmTreats up to 20 gpm

Venturi Solution Venturi Solution InjectorInjector

•Injects any liquid Injects any liquid solutionsolution•Injection rate Injection rate proportional to proportional to water flow ratewater flow rate•Adjustable over wide Adjustable over wide range of flow and range of flow and injection ratesinjection rates

Metering Metering PumpPump•Injects any type Injects any type of solutionof solution•Controlled by Controlled by water pump water pump controllercontroller•Constant injection Constant injection raterate•Adjusts to wide Adjusts to wide range of flow and range of flow and injection ratesinjection rates

SIGHT PORT

Ultraviolet Ultraviolet Disinfection UnitDisinfection Unit

Water Treatment Water Treatment OptionsOptions

- - Iron or Manganese Iron or Manganese --• Shock ChlorinationShock Chlorination• Continuous ChlorinationContinuous Chlorination

– Dry pellet chlorinatorDry pellet chlorinator– Chlorine solution feed pumpChlorine solution feed pump– Chlorine solution venturi injectorChlorine solution venturi injector

• OzonationOzonation• Oxidizing (Greensand) FilterOxidizing (Greensand) Filter• Ion Exchange Water SoftenerIon Exchange Water Softener

Iron Treatment OptionsIron Treatment OptionsIron Iron LevelLevel(mg/l)(mg/l)

Iron Iron BacterBacter

iaia

Clear or Clear or Red When Red When DrawnDrawn

pHpH Treatment MethodTreatment Method

0-50-5 NoNo ClearClear 7+7+ SofteningSoftening

0-50-5 YesYes ClearClear 7+7+ Shock Chlorination Shock Chlorination or Oxidizing Filteror Oxidizing Filter

5-205-20 NoNo ClearClear 7+7+ Shock Chlorination Shock Chlorination or Oxidizing Filteror Oxidizing Filter

5-205-20 YesYes Clear or Clear or RedRed

7+7+ Oxidizing Filter, Oxidizing Filter, Shock or Continuous Shock or Continuous ChlorinationChlorination

0-200-20 NoNo RedRed 7+7+ Oxidizing FilterOxidizing Filter

20-3020-30 NoNo Clear or Clear or RedRed

7+7+ Continuous Continuous Chlorination or Chlorination or Oxidizing FilterOxidizing Filter

Water Treatment Water Treatment OptionsOptions--CorrosionCorrosion--• Neutralizing FilterNeutralizing Filter

– Limestone chipsLimestone chips– Marble chipsMarble chips

• Caustic Soda (NaOH) FeederCaustic Soda (NaOH) Feeder– metering pump or venturi injectormetering pump or venturi injector

• Soda Ash (NaSoda Ash (Na22COCO33) Feeder) Feeder– Metering pump or venturi injectorMetering pump or venturi injector

Water Treatment OptionsWater Treatment Options--Hydrogen Sulfide (HHydrogen Sulfide (H22S) “Rotten S) “Rotten

Egg” OdorEgg” Odor--• Activated Carbon FilterActivated Carbon Filter• Oxidizing FilterOxidizing Filter• Shock ChlorinationShock Chlorination• Continuous ChlorinationContinuous Chlorination

– Dry pellet chlorinatorDry pellet chlorinator– Chlorine solution metering pump Chlorine solution metering pump – Chlorine solution venturi injectorChlorine solution venturi injector

• OzonationOzonation

TDS/Mineral TreatmentTDS/Mineral Treatment• Reverse OsmosisReverse Osmosis• DistillationDistillation

4-stage Reverse Osmosis Unit with Tank 4-stage Reverse Osmosis Unit with Tank and Faucetand Faucet

Reverse Osmosis Reverse Osmosis SystemsSystems

• Reduce mineral concentrations by Reduce mineral concentrations by 90% 90%• 15 gallon/day under-sink units: 15 gallon/day under-sink units: $150- $150-$300$300

• Require pre-softening with hard waterRequire pre-softening with hard water• Operate on water system pressure (40 Operate on water system pressure (40 psi)psi)

• Wastewater:Treated water ratio Wastewater:Treated water ratio 4 or 4 or 5:15:1

• Membranes: Membranes: $70-100 each; $70-100 each; 5 year life 5 year life

Distillation UnitDistillation Unit

Heating Element

Vaporization ChamberCondensing

Coil

Gas Vent

Raw Water Inlet

Distilled Water

Rising Steam

Drain

Countertop Countertop DistillersDistillers- initial cost $150-$1000initial cost $150-$1000

- 4-8 hours/gallon treatment 4-8 hours/gallon treatment raterate- 2.75-3.0 kWh/gallon energy 2.75-3.0 kWh/gallon energy consumptionconsumption- removes 99.9% of all removes 99.9% of all contaminantscontaminants- electric co-ops often electric co-ops often subsidize purchasesubsidize purchase

Carbon FiltersCarbon Filters• Remove contaminants by adsorption on Remove contaminants by adsorption on carbon particle surfacecarbon particle surface

• Hierarchy of contaminant adsorptionHierarchy of contaminant adsorption• Saturated filters can actually increase Saturated filters can actually increase concentration of some contaminantsconcentration of some contaminants

• Not effective on nitrate, hardness or Not effective on nitrate, hardness or bacteriabacteria

• Filter Filter coldcold water only water only• Bigger is better - more surface areaBigger is better - more surface area

Cartridge FiltersCartridge Filters

Filter WrenchFilter Wrench Filter Filter HousingHousing

Carbon Carbon CartridgeCartridge (taste, odor, (taste, odor, chlorine, chlorine, organics)organics)Particle Particle CartridgeCartridge (sand, (sand, sediment)sediment)

Ion Exchange Water Ion Exchange Water SoftenersSofteners

• Exchange sodium ions for calcium Exchange sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions in waterand magnesium ions in water

• Increase EC somewhatIncrease EC somewhat• May be dietary hazard - May be dietary hazard - hypertension (adds hypertension (adds 140 mg/l of 140 mg/l of sodium in “Hard” water)sodium in “Hard” water)

• Use potassium salt (KCl) for Use potassium salt (KCl) for health reasons health reasons

Ion exchange softeners replace CaIon exchange softeners replace Ca++++ and Mg and Mg++++ with with NaNa++ ions. ions.

Zeolite medium is recharged with NaZeolite medium is recharged with Na++ by NaCl by NaCl brine when depleted.brine when depleted.

Ion Exchange Ion Exchange Water Softener Water Softener with Sensor- with Sensor- Controlled Controlled RechargeRecharge

Softener Selection Softener Selection ConsiderationsConsiderations

• Required grain capacityRequired grain capacity– Daily water use (household Daily water use (household population)population)

– Water hardnessWater hardness– Desired regeneration scheduleDesired regeneration schedule

• Initial costInitial cost• Water conservationWater conservation• Other (Iron removal, etc.)Other (Iron removal, etc.)

Ion Exchange Water Ion Exchange Water Softener CapacitySoftener Capacity

• Rated by grains of hardness treated between regenerationsRated by grains of hardness treated between regenerations• 1 grain/gallon (gpg) = 17.1 mg/l1 grain/gallon (gpg) = 17.1 mg/lExample:Example:Water hardness = 200 mg/l = 200/17.1 = 11.7 gpgWater hardness = 200 mg/l = 200/17.1 = 11.7 gpgSoftener Capacity = 30,000 grainsSoftener Capacity = 30,000 grainsHousehold Population = 4 personsHousehold Population = 4 personsCalculate:Calculate:Water Use = 4 persons x 50gal./person-day = 200 gal./dayWater Use = 4 persons x 50gal./person-day = 200 gal./dayDaily Hardness Treated = 200 gpd x 11.7 gpg = 2339 Daily Hardness Treated = 200 gpd x 11.7 gpg = 2339 grains/daygrains/day

Regeneration Interval = 30,000 grains/ 2339 grains/day = Regeneration Interval = 30,000 grains/ 2339 grains/day = 12.8 days12.8 days

Recommended Softener Recommended Softener SizesSizes

Pump Pump Capacity Capacity (gpm)(gpm)

Softener Softener Capacity Capacity (grains)(grains)

Water Water Hardness Hardness (mg/l)(mg/l)

3 – 43 – 4 10,00010,000 3503505 – 65 – 6 15,00015,000 5005007 – 87 – 8 20,00020,000 8508509 – 129 – 12 30,00030,000 1200120012 – 2012 – 20 40,00040,000 15001500

Ion Exchange Water Ion Exchange Water Softener Recharge Softener Recharge Control MethodControl Method

--Time ClockTime Clock--Flow MeterFlow Meter--Hardness Hardness SensorSensor

Water Water UseUse

++

Initial Initial CostCost

++

Typical Programmable Water Softener Typical Programmable Water Softener ControllerController

Water SofteningWater Softening• Permanent magnet water softeners Permanent magnet water softeners don’t workdon’t work

• Electrostatic and catalytic Electrostatic and catalytic descalers may “descale” water, but descalers may “descale” water, but don’t soften itdon’t soften it– Scale will not buildup on pipes, water Scale will not buildup on pipes, water heater elements, bathtubs etc.heater elements, bathtubs etc.

– Sudsing action of soaps is not improvedSudsing action of soaps is not improved

Private Water System Private Water System ResourcesResources