Residential Water Treatment:
Terms & Definitions
Water Quality and Composition
Water Hardness: A measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water. Hard water can cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances.
Mineral Content: The amount of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, present in the water.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): The total amount of minerals, salts, metals, and other particles dissolved in water.
Water Conductivity: How well water can conduct electricity, which depends on the amount of dissolved salts and minerals in it.
pH Balance: A measure of how acidic or basic the water is on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.
Contaminant Removal: The process of eliminating harmful substances from the water to make it safe to drink.
Water System Issues
Scale & Limescale: Hard, chalky deposits that form on pipes and appliances due to hard water.
Corrosion: The gradual destruction of materials (usually metal) by chemical reactions with the environment, often leading to rust.
Buildup: The accumulation of minerals, scale, or other materials inside pipes and appliances over time.
Biofilm: A thin, slimy layer of bacteria that can form on the surfaces of pipes and water systems.
Biofouling: The unwanted buildup of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on wet surfaces, especially underwater surfaces.
Chlorine: A chemical commonly added to water to kill harmful bacteria and other microbes.
Bacteriostatic: A property of some substances that stops bacteria from reproducing, helping to control bacterial growth.
Water Treatment Processes
Flocculation: A process where chemicals are added to water to make small particles stick together into larger clumps so they can be easily removed.
Activated Carbon: A material used in water filters to remove contaminants and impurities through chemical absorption.
Reverse Osmosis: A method of purifying water by pushing it through a special membrane that removes larger particles and contaminants.
Sediment Filter: A type of filter that removes particles like dirt and sand from water.
Water Softener: A system that removes minerals that cause water hardness, usually by using salt.